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| Staff Writer |
The modern Thoroughbred racehorse represents the pinnacle of equine athletic development, with finely tuned athletes capable of extraordinary speed and stamina. Yet beneath their gleaming coats and powerful frames lies a troubling reality: up to 90% of racehorses in active training suffer from gastric ulcers, a painful condition that compromises performance, welfare, and racing results.
This staggering statistic highlights one of the most significant health challenges facing the racing industry today, particularly in high-stakes racing environments found across the Gulf region. Here, intensive training regimens and competitive pressure create the perfect storm for ulcer development.
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Gastric ulcers in racehorses often present subtle yet telling signs that trainers and owners should monitor vigilantly. A Thoroughbred suffering from ulcers may exhibit a gradual decline in performance that proves puzzling when no obvious lameness or illness is present. The horse that once enthusiastically attacked the gallops might suddenly show reluctance to extend or collect, particularly noticeable when asked to accelerate.
Despite adequate feeding, weight loss is another standard indicator, with some horses maintaining their appetite yet failing to retain condition. Others may exhibit more obvious feeding abnormalities, such as picking at hay or leaving portions of grain untouched – unusual behaviour for animals typically known for their hearty appetites.
Behavioural changes often provide the most evident signs, with formerly placid horses becoming irritable, particularly during girthing or when pressure is applied to the abdomen. Some Thoroughbreds demonstrate discomfort through teeth grinding or excessive salivation, while others adopt stereotypical behaviours such as crib-biting or wind-sucking—mechanisms that stimulate saliva production to buffer stomach acid.
What often catches trainers off guard is the inconsistency of symptoms. Some horses with severe ulcers may show minimal outward symptoms, while others with mild cases exhibit significant behavioural changes. This unpredictability makes professional diagnosis essential.
The Thoroughbred's digestive system evolved for constant grazing across vast distances, with stomach acid continuously produced regardless of whether food is present. In natural conditions, continuous forage intake and the resultant saliva production create a buffering effect that protects the stomach lining. The modern racehorse lifestyle, however, creates a perfect storm of risk factors.
Intensive training schedules significantly impact gastric health through multiple mechanisms. High-intensity gallops elevate intra-abdominal pressure, causing acidic stomach contents to splash against the vulnerable upper portion of the stomach (the squamous region), which lacks the protective mucus layer found in the lower, acid-producing section (the glandular region).
Exercise also alters blood flow patterns, temporarily reducing circulation to the digestive tract while increasing acid production. This combination creates ideal conditions for ulcer formation, explaining why up to 100% of racehorses develop ulcers within 2 to 3 months of entering race training.
The feeding regimens necessary for high-performance athletes exacerbated the problem. Traditional stable management practices often involve feeding substantial grain meals twice daily, rather than the continuous grazing pattern to which horses have evolved. Grain digestion increases the production of volatile fatty acids, lowering stomach pH and creating more acidic conditions.
Race preparation, travel, and competition stress also contribute to ulcer development. Gulf-based Thoroughbreds face unique challenges, as high ambient temperatures increase physiological stress while the competitive nature of racing in the region heightens training demands.
Implementing effective prevention strategies represents the cornerstone of managing gastric ulcers in the racing environment. While complete elimination of risk factors remains challenging within the constraints of professional racing, several evidence-based approaches can dramatically reduce both incidence and severity.
Feeding management provides the most potent preventative tool available. Ensuring continuous access to forage throughout the day creates a natural buffer against stomach acid through both the physical presence of fibre and increased saliva production. For stabled Thoroughbreds, this typically means implementing slow-feeding systems that extend foraging time without excessive caloric intake.
Feeding small amounts of forage approximately 30 minutes before exercise offers particular benefits. This creates a protective fibrous mat that floats on stomach acid, reducing acid splash during gallops while providing buffering through increased salivation.
The composition of the overall diet also significantly impacts ulcer risk. Alfalfa hay offers advantages over grass hay due to its higher calcium and protein content, which naturally buffers stomach acid. Studies demonstrate that Thoroughbreds fed alfalfa have fewer and less severe ulcers than those on grass hay diets.
Replacing portions of grain with high-quality fats for racehorses requiring concentrated energy sources can maintain caloric intake while reducing the acidifying effects of starch. When grain feeding remains necessary, dividing the daily ration into multiple smaller meals minimises acid production spikes while keeping total starch intake below the recommended threshold of 1g per kilogram of body weight per meal.
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Thoughtful training programme design provides another avenue for reducing ulcer development without sacrificing competitive performance. Progressive trainers across the Gulf racing scene increasingly adopt modified approaches that safeguard digestive health while preserving physiological conditioning.
Introducing intensity gradually allows the horse's body to adapt without excessive stress, reducing cortisol production, which independently contributes to ulcer formation. Shorter, more frequent training sessions can maintain fitness while creating less physiological disruption than extended high-intensity workouts.
Scheduling considerations also impact gastric health. Avoiding early morning gallops when the stomach is still empty from overnight fasting reduces the risk of injury to unprotected stomach tissue. Similarly, allowing adequate recovery between intense training sessions gives the digestive system time to normalise.
Environmental factors within the training operation further influence ulcer development. Even if limited to hand-walking or controlled grazing, increasing turnout opportunities reduces confinement stress while promoting natural feeding behaviours. Creating consistent routines minimises anxiety, which is particularly important for Thoroughbreds with naturally nervous temperaments.
Social factors also merit consideration, with research demonstrating that isolation significantly increases stress hormone production. Allowing visual contact with other horses, employing stable companions, or facilitating controlled socialisation can dramatically reduce anxiety levels even within the constraints of biosecurity protocols.
While prevention forms the foundation of effective ulcer management, medical treatment remains essential for treating existing ulcers and providing protection during unavoidable stress. Understanding the available pharmaceutical options empowers racing professionals to make informed decisions about their implementation.
Omeprazole is the gold-standard treatment, working by blocking acid production pumps within the stomach lining cells. Treatment protocols typically involve 28-day courses at therapeutic dosages, with studies demonstrating healing in 70-80% of lesions within this timeframe. Maintenance therapy at lower doses often proves necessary during ongoing training and competition.
Timing medical interventions strategically maximises their effectiveness. Successful racing operations implement prophylactic treatment during known stressors, such as travel or intense competition blocks. This proactive approach prevents ulcer formation instead of addressing damage after it occurs.
What's important to understand is that medication alone isn't sufficient. Even the best pharmaceutical protocols yield much better results when paired with appropriate management changes. The medications provide healing time, but preventing recurrence necessitates addressing underlying causes.
Complementary approaches show promising results when integrated with conventional treatment. Digestive support supplements containing combinations of buffering agents, prebiotic fibres, and mucosal protectants can enhance stomach protection between medication doses. However, these should be viewed as adjuncts to, rather than replacements for, established medical protocols.
The Thoroughbred racing industry continues evolving its approach to gastric ulcers, increasingly recognising that addressing this condition delivers both welfare and performance benefits. Progressive operations implement comprehensive ulcer management programmes integrating multiple preventative strategies with appropriate medical interventions.
Regular gastroscopic examinations play a crucial role in these programmes, with many leading Gulf racing stables now conducting routine screenings regardless of clinical signs. This approach enables early intervention before significant performance impacts manifest while allowing objective assessment of treatment effectiveness.
Education represents another vital component, with increasing emphasis on ensuring all staff understand how management practices influence gastric health. From feed room protocols to exercise scheduling, creating a culture of ulcer awareness throughout the racing operation supports consistent implementation of protective measures.
The economic implications of effective ulcer management extend beyond immediate veterinary costs. Thoroughbreds suffering from gastric ulcers typically demonstrate reduced appetite, compromised nutrient absorption, and altered energy metabolism—all factors directly impacting training response and racing performance. Addressing these issues delivers tangible returns through enhanced competitive results.
Perhaps most significantly, the racing industry's approach to gastric ulcers reflects broader evolving attitudes toward equine welfare. As scientific understanding of this condition has advanced, recognition has also grown that preventing ulcers represents not merely a performance optimisation strategy but a fundamental responsibility toward the Thoroughbred athletes at the heart of the sport.
For racing professionals seeking to maximise welfare and gain a competitive edge in today's demanding environment, implementing comprehensive ulcer management is not optional but an essential component of modern Thoroughbred management. With ninety percent of racehorses potentially affected, addressing this hidden epidemic presents one of the most significant opportunities to enhance both welfare and performance across the racing industry.