When I think of endurance riding, I picture horse and rider striding out across the horizon in balance and harmony, on a mission to get to the finish line. However, the success of the partnership is intrinsically linked to the health and well-being of the horse. Endurance riders are highly committed to the health of their horses, so it might surprise you that over 90% of high-level (90-160km) endurance horses were found to have gastric ulcers1, which is comparable to the rates observed in competitive racehorses. So, why are high-level endurance horses at such a high risk of gastric ulcers?
To understand the impact of competition on endurance horses, researchers studied 30 competition horses and scoped them twice for gastric lesions; firstly, during the period between seasons, and secondly, 2-3 days after a ride during the competition season. So, what did they find? Firstly, they found that the percentage of horses with gastric lesions during the inter-season period (i.e. the off season) was nearly 50% – debunking the common myth that stomach ulcers ‘go away’ when horses are put on spell, or are given a break between seasons. Secondly, they reported that both the prevalence of gastric ulcers and the severity of the lesions (i.e. the classification from 1-5) almost doubled during the competition season1.
So, why are gastric ulcers so prevalent in endurance horses compared to other disciplines? The answer is simple, they work harder for longer. The average training session for endurance horses lasts from 2 – 3h, with even the walk section of the work-out being an ‘active walk’, which is associated with a higher heart rate and tension in the abdominal muscles1. Why does this matter? Again, the answer is simple, anytime the horse moves faster than a ‘relaxing’ walk, the volume of the stomach is dramatically reduced, pushing the acidic content of the stomach up into unprotected region, thus putting the horse at risk of developing gastric ulcers1. The second factor to consider, is that the impact of training is cumulative, so that the researchers found a positive correlation between the intensity of training (i.e. the length of ride and level of performance) and the severity of gastric lesions1. Thus creating a ‘catch 22’ situation where the horse needs more extensive and more frequent conditioning to compete at higher levels, which in itself, pre-disposes the horse to more frequent, and more severe gastric lesions.
So, what can you do to prevent gastric ulcers derailing your next competition season? The first step is to consider the status of your horse’s digestive tract right now. As noted above, many high-level competition horses had gastric lesions that were not simply resolved by ‘time off’ or a ‘break’ between seasons. So, knowledge is power, and by resolving any pre-existing issues you can start the new season with a blank canvas. The second step is to ensure adequate support and protection of their digestive tract during the competition season. How this looks is somewhat dependent on the individual horse, but most will benefit from daily digestive support, in addition to protection during the high-risk periods of work and travel. The final step is to consider the disposition of the horse. There is a robust relationship between reactivity to stress and the incidence of glandular ulcers (i.e. ulcers in the glandular region of the stomach where acid is produced)2. These ulcers are notoriously difficult to treat, so anything we can do to reduce the stress and anxiety in our horses, is also going to reduce their risk of developing glandular ulcers.
Over the last 5 years, we have had the privilege of connecting many competitive riders with the right products for their horses, and would love to help more of you to fulfill your horse’s potential. If you would like to discuss how to prepare and protect your horse’s digestive tract for the 2021 season please contact us, check out our range of products for digestive support, request a call back, or call for a chat (+61457169536)
References
1 Tamzali et al., (2011) Equine Veterinary Journal; 43 (2) 141-144
2 Malmkvist et al. (2012) Applied Animal Behaviour Science: 142
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