Equine Gastric Ulcerative Syndrome: nutritional strategies

Equine Gastric Ulcerative Syndrome (EGUS) is a pathological condition of ulceration with a high prevalence in sport horses. It includes two separated entities differentiated by their location, pathophysiology, and treatment: Equine Gastric Squamous Disease (ESGD) that affects the squamous gastric mucosa and Equine Gastric Glandular Disease (EGGD) that affects the glandular mucosa. Although more research is needed in the case of EGGD, for ulcers of the squamous mucosa (ESGD), produced by exposure to stomach acid content, diet and nutritional management (prolonged or intermittent fasting, lack of forage, excess starch in the diet…) are considered important risk factors that have been traditionally associated with its development. Although medical treatment is necessary in most cases, nutritional and management changes should be implemented to help the healing of squamous mucosal lesions and allow long-term treatment, as well as help prevent recurrence and complications.