For years, research has shown us that a majority of athletic horses and racehorses suffers from equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS). However, this painful condition isn’t just a problem for performance horses eating highly concentrated diets and under training stress. One study estimates more than 60% of all adult domestic horses and 50% of foals have EGUS. Horses are designed to forage, and a lack of access to on-demand grazing makes them vulnerable. Simple dietary changes, travel, medications, and chronic pain can all trigger EGUS. Signs your horse is suffering from gastric ulcers can range from a cranky face during saddling and spookiness to inappetence and colic.

That’s why The Horse and Boehringer Ingelheim are teaming up in August for Equine Gastric Ulcer Awareness Month to help horse owners help their horses. Look for EGUS-related content all month on TheHorse.com, our Facebook page and Twitter feed, and in our e-newsletters.