Q:  My horse is what many would consider a nervous type. He is easily unsettled by changes around the farm, and I can tell that going off property for shows, clinics, and trail rides makes him more nervous than usual. I’d like to add a preventive supplement to his diet to combat the effects of stress on his gastrointestinal system, but there are so many options on the market. What ingredients should I look for that would indicate a high-quality, effective supplement for preventing gastric ulcers?

A:  Equine gastric ulcer syndrome affects many horses. Remember that supplements do not fix underlying issues or causes so, first, take a whole-horse approach when managing individuals that frequently develop ulcers. Additionally, understanding the risk factors for different types of gastric ulcers and mitigating them helps prevent their recurrence. For instance, managing diet plays a more critical role with squamous gastric disease, whereas managing stress becomes more important with glandular gastric disease.

A plethora of anecdotal evidence exists on some ingredients found in gut support supplements and, in some cases, peer-reviewed research supports their use. Some ingredients shown to reduce a horse’s risk of developing gastric ulcers include L-glutamine, prebiotics, probiotics, aloe vera, marshmallow root extract, and slippery elm.

Gastric Buffers for Horses

Gastric buffer supplements might be useful for your horse in more stressful situations. For example, if your horse tends to be more stressed when trailering, you might give him a gastric buffer a few times that day. These products work only when administered multiple times per day due to their short efficacy period (generally two to four hours). Calcium carbonate, found in alfalfa, features prominently in gastric buffers. However, seaweed-derived calcium generally has a slightly longer efficacy period than calcium carbonate.

Key Equine Gastric Ulcer Supplement Ingredients

Outside of gastric buffer supplements for the stressful days, adding an all-around gut support product to your horse’s diet might reduce the impact of daily stress on his gastrointestinal tract. Manufacturers often include L-glutamine, a nonessential amino acid, meaning horses can synthesize it on their own. But if your horse stresses regularly, supplementing L-glutamine can help mitigate the effects on the gastrointestinal tract. The anti-inflammatory properties of aloe, slippery elm, and marshmallow root extract can also reduce oxidative stress and soothe the gastrointestinal tract.

Prebiotics and Probiotics for Horses

Equine nutritionists typically recommend prebiotics and probiotics for longer-term gastrointestinal support. Some evidence surrounding these products remains anecdotal, so find a supplement backed by peer-reviewed research. Probiotics consist of live, beneficial bacteria already present in the horse’s digestive tract, while prebiotics provide nourishment for these bacteria.

Purchasing a Gastric Ulcer Supplement for Your Horse

When selecting a supplement for your horse, reach out to the company to ask about peer-reviewed research on their product. If the company has invested in quality research, they will be more than happy to share it with you.

Prior to purchasing any supplement, carefully read the label. For example, the labels on high-quality pre- and probiotic products should tell you the specific bacterial strain used, the number of colony-forming units (CFUs), and an expiration date because probiotics are live microorganisms. As for daily supplements, review the guaranteed analysis on the product and compare the active ingredient amounts in products. For example, while many products contain both aloe and L-glutamine, the concentration of these ingredients can vary significantly.

Take-Home Message

Administering a gastric buffer on stressful travel days and using a daily gastric support supplement can help your horse combat the negative impacts of stress on the gastrointestinal tract. Before purchasing, be sure to thoroughly read the label of any supplement and ask the company to share peer-reviewed research supporting the product’s efficacy.