The equine gastro intestinal tract (GIT) is highly sensitive. Sudden changes in the diet and stressful situations such as transport and competition can immediately disrupt the function of the GIT. The stomach of a horse only makes up 10% of the complete digestive system. Though this is rather small considering the size of the animal, a poor stomach condition can rigorously impair animal health and performance.

Gastric acid production
The stomach of a horse is divided into an upper and a lower part. In the lower part feed is pre-digested and gastric acid is produced. This part of the stomach is lined by glandular mucosa. Glandular mucosa produces bicarbonate in order to protect itself against the acidity. The upper part of the stomach is lined with squamous mucosa, which does not have the ability to withstand gastric acid.

Even when empty, the stomach will continuously produce gastric acid. When this acid accumulates in the lower part it can at one point reach the upper part and damage the lining of the squamous mucosa. This can for example occur when a training is initiated on an empty stomach, the gastric acid will then move upwards due to movement and compromise the stomach lining of the upper part. A damaged mucosa lining can lead to gastric ulcers.
 

Gastric Ulceration
Gastric ulceration affects between 53 to 90% of adult horses. For most equestrians it is clear that a horse is facing challenges. However as symptoms can be subtle they are often not directly attributed to gastric ulcers. Gastric ulcers can be caused by ration changes, long periods of fasting and stressful situations such as transport, competition and shows.