9 min read Last updated: January 2026 Seeing girthiness, grumpiness, or slipping performance and wondering if ulcers are to blame? This practical guide shows you how to keep forage flowing, starch low, and electrolytes sensibleplus the simple habit of avoiding >6-hour forage gaps that quadruple riskso your horse stays comfortable, confident, and ready to work. Quick Summary Short on time? Here are the key takeaways. Area: Continuous Forage Access What To Do: Provide adlib hay/haylage with multiple small haynets and a latenight topup. Use slowfeeders or mix clean straw to extend chew time. Why It Matters: Continuous fibre prevents >6hour fasting gaps that quadruple ulcer risk. Common Mistake: Relying on twicedaily hay drops that leave long overnight empty periods. Area: Fibre-First, Low Starch What To Do: Keep starch under 1 g/kg bodyweight per meal and under 2 g/kg per day, and split hard feeds into three or more small meals. Build calories from beet, oil and fibre, and include up to 30% clean straw if needed. Why It Matters: Staying within limits markedly reduces EGUS risk compared with highstarch feeding. Common Mistake: Serving large cereal meals, especially close to work, or ignoring starch totals. Area: Sensible Electrolytes What To Do: Use daily pelleted sodium chloride or measured powders to replace sweat, and always provide fresh water. Dose consistently after work and in hot weather. Why It Matters: Proper electrolyte replacement supports performance without harming the gastric mucosa. Common Mistake: Giving strong hypertonic liquid boluses or relying solely on freechoice licks. Area: Pre-Ride Fibre Buffer What To Do: Offer 12 large handfuls of soft chaff or soaked beet 4560 minutes before exercise or travel. Avoid riding immediately after hard feeds. Why It Matters: A fibre mat and saliva help limit acid splash onto the squamous lining during work. Common Mistake: Exercising on an empty stomach. Area: Maximise Turnout & Comfort What To Do: Maximise turnout, even in short daylight windows, and use wellfitted, weatherappropriate rugs to keep horses comfortable and moving. Why It Matters: Movement and reduced box stress promote digestion and reduce ulcer risk. Common Mistake: Prolonged stabling in bad weather without comfort measures or forage planning. Area: Travel Smart What To Do: Load with fibre on board, hang a smallholed haynet, plan water stops, and fit travel protection correctly. Reoffer forage promptly on arrival. Why It Matters: Managing stress and preventing fasting during travel protects the stomach. Common Mistake: Travelling horses fasted or without water access. Area: Vet Diagnosis & Treatment What To Do: In suspected cases, arrange gastroscopy and follow a 2128 day omeprazole plan alongside foragefirst, lowstarch management. Review progress with your vet. Why It Matters: Accurate diagnosis and targeted therapy resolve ulcers faster and prevent relapse. Common Mistake: Delaying vet involvement or expecting feeds/supplements to treat ulcers. Area: Monitor & Adapt Seasonally What To Do: Track body condition, appetite, hay/water intake and ride notes weekly, and adjust routines by season (winter slowfeeding; summer electrolytes and shade). Act early on behaviour or performance changes. Why It Matters: Regular monitoring catches issues sooner and keeps management aligned with risk. Common Mistake: Sticking to a fixed routine and overlooking subtle warning signs. In This Guide What is EGUS and how common is it? Why do forage gaps and stabling drive ulcers? Feed for the stomach: starch limits and fibre Salt, electrolytes and ulcers: what the science says Exercise, travel and pre-ride buffers Treatment, when to call the vet, and UK labelling rules Seasonal checklist for UK yards Spotting signs early and what to monitor Girthiness, grumpiness, a dip in performance gastric ulcers can hide behind everyday behaviour. With UK horses often stabled in wet winters and training through changeable seasons, smart management is your most powerful defence.Key takeaway: Keep forage flowing, starch low, and electrolytes sensible and work with your vet for diagnosis and treatment.What is EGUS and how common is it?Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) is widespread, affecting around 1 in 3 equines, with foals also highly susceptible. The British Horse Society (BHS) highlights how modern management and exercise elevate risk and recommends early veterinary involvement for suspected cases. (BHS)Ulcers can occur in the squamous (upper) or glandular (lower) regions of the horses stomach. Squamous disease is often linked to acid splash during fasting and work; glandular disease is more associated with mucosal defence breakdown. In one study, 83% of horses presenting with recurrent colic had gastric ulcers, underlining how commonly digestive discomfort and colic overlap (ECVIM via PMC).Because many horses are stoic, you may see subtle signs rather than overt pain. Thats why prevention-focused routines and timely vet checks are crucial.Why do forage gaps and stabling drive ulcers?Going more than six hours without forage increases the likelihood of gastric ulcers four-fold. The BHS notes that extended periods without fibre and blood-flow changes during exercise allow acid to splash onto the unprotected squamous lining, increasing risk (Mad Barn; BHS).In the UK, prolonged stabling is common in wet or icy weather. Twice-daily hay and hard feeds can create long fasting gaps, exactly when ulcer risk peaks. Counter this with: Ad-lib hay/haylage or multiple small haynets through the day and late evening. Slow-feeding solutions and mixing in clean straw to extend chew time. Maximising turnout with sufficient grass cover, even short daylight windows. Buffering before work (see below), and avoiding exercise on an empty stomach.Turnout is easier when your horse is comfortable outdoors. A well-fitted, weather-appropriate rug keeps muscles warm and encourages movement. See our curated winter turnout rugs for wet, windy weeks, and choose breathable stable rugs to keep cosy and reduce stress on box-rest days.Feed for the stomach: starch limits and fibreKeep starch under 1 g/kg body weight per meal and under 2 g/kg per day, and prioritise continuous fibre. Exceeding these limits significantly increases EGUS risk over 2 g/kg daily doubles the odds; over 1 g/kg per meal raises risk 2.6-fold (Saracen Horse Feeds).Practical ways to implement this on UK yards: Base the ration on forage first. For a 500 kg horse, aim to keep any single meals starch below 500 g and the days total below 1,000 g. Split hard feeds into three or more small meals if needed. Use chaff or soaked fibre to slow intake and increase chewing time. Include straw safely: current advice supports up to 30% of the daily ration, even in ulcer-prone horses (Carrs Billington). Choose low-starch performance feeds and add oil or beet for calories, not cereal starch. Ensure salt and electrolytes are covered appropriately (see below), and keep fresh water always available.Pro tip: If your horse bolts hay, a robust slow-feeder or double-net arrangement can stop the 11 pm6 am empty window that commonly drives overnight splash ulcers. Many of our customers pair quality nets with durable options from Shires to make ad-lib access last.Salt, electrolytes and ulcers: what the science saysPelleted sodium chloride is safe for the gastric lining and an effective way to replace sweat losses when fresh water is available. Two independent sources confirm no negative effects on gastric mucosa in exercising horses supplemented with sodium chloride pellets, even where 8385% already had lesions at the start. The initial prevalence of gastric ulcers at the start of the study was 83%, and sodium chloride did not have any negative effects on the gastric mucosa throughout the study period. Catherine Whitehouse, M.S., Nutrition Advisor at Kentucky Equine Research (KER) Daily NaCl pellet supplementation is a palatable and safe way to replace electrolyte losses from sweating in exercising horses and has no negative effects on the gastric mucosa. 2023 German researchers (PMC)What about salt licks and liquid electrolytes? Forum chatter is mixed, but the latest controlled work supports pelleted sodium chloride with water freely available. Historically, some studies suggested excessive bolus dosing with hypertonic liquid electrolytes could irritate the stomach; sensible, daily pellet use hasnt shown harm in peer-reviewed settings.At Just Horse Riders, we recommend covering daily sodium needs and replacing sweat in training with well-formulated options from our supplements range choose pelleted or powdered forms and always provide ample water. Popular electrolyte products from trusted brands like NAF make it easy to stay consistent. If you suspect ulcers, speak to your vet; gastroscopy is the gold standard for diagnosis and monitoring.Exercise, travel and pre-ride buffersFeed a small handful of soft fibre (for example, alfalfa chaff) about one hour before exercise or travel to buffer acid and reduce splash injury. This simple step increases saliva production and provides a physical mat to protect the squamous mucosa during work and loading (Mad Barn).Practical pre-ride routine: Offer 12 large handfuls of soft chaff or soaked beet 4560 minutes before you tack up. Avoid riding straight after hard feed; keep cereal starch for hours youre not working. Before travel, load with fibre on board and hang a small-holed haynet to keep chewing. Replace sweat losses after work (see electrolytes above) and re-offer forage promptly.Quick tip: Travel can be a double stressor movement plus fasting. Protect legs and reduce anxiety with well-fitted travel protection from our horse boots and bandages, and plan water stops for longer journeys.Treatment, when to call the vet, and UK labelling rulesConfirmed gastric ulcers require equine-specific omeprazole for 2128 days under veterinary supervision, alongside turnout, ad-lib forage and reduced training load. The BHS advises that correct diagnosis via gastroscopy plus targeted medication and management changes are the fastest route to recovery (BHS).Important UK point: By law, feed and supplement labels must not claim to prevent, treat, or affect gastric ulcers or gastric pH, and must advise consulting a vet if ulcers are suspected (GOV.UK guidance). At Just Horse Riders, we respect this framework. Use feeds and supplements to support overall nutrition and hydration; use prescription medication for diagnosed disease.Pro tip: After a treatment course, keep the same management that helped healing continuous fibre, low starch, sensible electrolytes, and stress reduction. If signs return, speak to your vet promptly; some horses need longer therapy or targeted glandular protocols.Seasonal checklist for UK yardsAdapt your routine to the season: in winter, focus on ad-lib forage and turnout; in summer, prioritise sweat replacement, grazing management and travel prep. Heres a quick UK-focused checklist to reduce ulcer risk year-round: Winter and wet spells Prevent >6-hour hay gaps with night-time slow feeding and late checks. Maximise turnout windows with weather-appropriate rugs and firm footing. Keep exercise steady rather than stopstart; avoid fasted work. Spring grass Transition carefully; dont drop fibre access in the yard just because fields look lush. Maintain low-starch concentrate rules during fitness rebuilding. Summer training and shows Use pelleted electrolytes daily in working horses and ensure water is freely available. Buffer with fibre before early-morning schooling and travel. Plan shade, water and post-ride forage at competitions. Autumn routines As grass drops, increase forage before the clocks change to prevent sudden fasting gaps. Check fit and condition; adjust calories with oil/fibre, not cereal starch. Spotting signs early and what to monitorWatch for weight loss, dullness, girthiness, reduced performance, recurrent colic and teeth grinding some horses show no obvious signs. Behavioural changes around saddling, rugs, or grooming can also be red flags (BHS).What to track each week: Body condition, topline and coat shine. Appetite, hay/haylage consumption and water intake. Ride notes: willingness, transitions, spooking from leg, or reluctance to go forward. Drops in competition scores or training consistency.Daily hands-on checks keep you close to changes. Build it into your grooming routine our grooming collection helps you spot subtle soreness or coat dullness earlier.FAQsDo salt licks worsen gastric ulcers?No recent evidence shows pelleted sodium chloride does not harm the gastric mucosa, even where 8385% of exercising horses already had lesions at study start (KER; PMC). Provide fresh water at all times and monitor with your vet if ulcers are suspected. If your horse over-consumes a lick, switch to measured pellets or powders.Can my horse have electrolytes in summer if theyve had ulcers?Yes. Daily pelleted sodium chloride is a palatable, safe way to replace sweat losses in working horses when water is available (PMC). Avoid excessive hypertonic liquid boluses. See our curated electrolyte and supplement options and consult your vet if youre managing a current case.How much straw is safe for ulcer-prone ponies?Current UK feeding guidance supports including up to 30% straw in the total daily ration, even in ulcer-prone horses and ponies (Carrs Billington). Use clean, soft barley or wheat straw, introduce gradually, and ensure ample water.What starch limits should I use to reduce EGUS risk?Keep starch under 1 g/kg body weight per meal and under 2 g/kg per day. Exceeding these limits increases ulcer risk 22.6 times in studies (Saracen Horse Feeds). Build calories from fibre, beet and oil instead of cereal starch.How does stabling affect ulcer risk in UK horses?Fasting periods over six hours quadruple ulcer risk (Mad Barn). UK winter routines often create long overnight gaps; solve this with ad-lib forage, slow-feeders, and later-night top-ups. Comfortable turnout with the right rug also reduces box-related stress explore our weather-ready turnout rugs and warm stable rugs.Whats the best pre-ride feed to protect the stomach?Offer a small handful of soft fibre (e.g., alfalfa chaff) about one hour before exercise or travel. This buffers acid and reduces splash onto the squamous mucosa (Mad Barn). Avoid riding immediately after hard feeds.What is the gold standard for diagnosis and treatment?Gastroscopy confirms the presence and type of ulcer. Treatment for confirmed cases is equine-specific omeprazole for 2128 days under veterinary supervision, plus management changes (forage-first, low-starch, stress reduction) as emphasised by the BHS. UK labelling rules prohibit feed products from claiming to treat ulcers (GOV.UK).At Just Horse Riders, were here to help you put a practical plan into action from ad-lib forage strategies to smart pre-ride buffers and sensible electrolytes so your horse can stay comfortable, confident and ready to work. Shop the Essentials Everything mentioned in this guide, ready to browse. Shop SupplementsShop Turnout RugsShop Stable RugsShop Boots & BandagesShop Grooming Kit