Ulcers

I think I'm hypersensative to stomach issues in horses mainly because I have severe GERD myself. I've been scoped for ulcers and have had a biopsy done to test for Celiac disease and H. Pylori. The doctors found nothing wrong with me. Yet, I have been suffering from awful stomach issues ever since college. A script of 80 mg of a proton pump inhibitor makes my life almost normal again.

But ANYWAY ... my point is is that I can really relate to the pain, discomfort, frustration and general crankyness that comes with a constant stomach ache.

Which is why I think Hampton may have an ulcer or be uncomfortable.

It's not outright obvious ... but when you know your horse really, really well, you pick up on little things. Here are the signs that lead me to think he might be uncomfortable:

• He's lost weight this past month. He's starting to look that "rangey" weight that he was last year. He's not skinny by any means, but not as round as he has been.

• He is girthy. And by that I mean it's so so so mild that most people would never notice. See, Hampton will stand quietly to be groomed. He will lower his head, lick and chew and rest a hind leg (yes, the boy luvs his groomins'). Once I place the saddle on, he starts to move around just a bit. It's not obnoxious. It's not rude. I've checked his back for soreness and it didn't seem to be, although it could still be part of it. I've checked his girth area for sores of a battle wound and can find nothing. I just SENSE that the girth it sort of bugging him.

• He has started having moments of nervous chomping on the bit while riding. Again, this could be the fact that he is just not strong. It's normal young horse behavior, confusion, etc. BUT ... again I just sense that it's coming from some internal tension. It doesn't last the entire ride, maybe only for minutes.

These symptoms could be a lot of things. His living situation is pretty ideal. He lives out 24/7 with free choice roundbales. He gets some grain (Triple Crown Complete) that I always mix with alfalfa pellets or cubes. He eats his lunch like a champ. He has always had a good appetite. He doesn't seem like a candidate for ulcers ...

Regardless, I am going to get some U-Gard and see if that helps improve any of the above issues. He's also due for another visit with the chiro - he could be just tight, weak and maybe out of whack.

For more info:

Here are just a few signs that your horse could be suffering from an ulcer:
(Here's the link to my source)

• a change in attitude – Is your horse more nervous than usual or less willing to perform? Does he seem grouchy or “out of it” for no apparent reason?
• poor appetite – Is he eating as much as he normally does for the amount of work he’s accomplishing? Is he leaving any of his feed uneaten?
• colic – Is your horse showing signs of low-grade colic, a persistent mild discomfort that may cause him to turn his head toward his flank, lie down excessively, paw or fail to finish a meal?
• decreased performance – Is your horse not as “fluid” as normal? Could his usually fine movement be described as below average?
• a decline in body condition – Is your horse’s coat not quite as sleek and shiny as it once was? Does he look “unthrifty” or just plain poor?
• weight loss – Has your horse dropped weight, up to but not more than 10 percent of his body weight?
• dull – Is your horse generally lackluster and seemingly without energy?