Among the most noticeable signs of ulcers are decreased appetite, colic, poor hair coat, poor body condition and poor performance. In foals, clinical signs may include grinding of teeth, colic, intermittent nursing, decreased appetite and weakness. Feeding practices, training and trailering, competing, and even hospitalization can contribute to ulcer formation in horses. Intensity of training may also contribute to ulcer formation. Helicobacter pylori , bacteria that are a factor in the development of human ulcers, have not been isolated from horse stomachs and are not currently considered to be a cause of horse ulcers.
Gastric ulcers are very common in adult horses as well as foals.
This is a common and accepted practice. Unfortunately, many of these medications had variable results, even at high doses, and had no recommended dose or administration schedule proven through controlled research studies. Often, treatment required that the horse be removed from training. None of these medications have been evaluated or approved for use in horses by the FDA, and their safety in horses has not been assessed. The product was tested for both safety and efficacy in major multicenter studies at more than 15 trial sites involving more than 300 horses of more than nine different breeds.