Welfare and the precautionary principle A University of Guelph review argues that many long-accepted riding practices deserve closer scrutiny, even where definitive evidence of harm is still lacking. A review by Caleigh Copelin and Katrina Merkies, published in the March 2026 edition of the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, makes the case that modern equestrianism is…
Gastric ulcers are common in horses and foals worldwide, and the term equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) was introduced in 1999 to describe a range of inflammatory changes that affect the bottom of the oesophagus, the non-glandular stomach (referred to as equine squamous gastric disease), the glandular stomach (equine glandular gastric disease), and the part of…
Q: My horse has just been diagnosed with gastric ulcers in the squamous part of his stomach. He is in light work and has been fed a balancer. Do I need to change this? First and foremost, it is important to note that your treatment and management plan should be arranged in consultation with your vet.…
By Hannah Botha, MSc Equine Science, Epol Nutrition Advisor Aloe vera is certainly not a new addition to the management of horses, and for many years it has been used topically for ailments such as inflamed or burnt skin. More recently, aloe vera has come into focus for treating common conditions such as gastric ulcers. But…
Q: What nutritional issues should I be aware of in my new OTTB? A: Australian nutritionist Dr Nerida Richards, the resident nutritionist at FeedXL.com, explains that a Thoroughbred who is adapted to processing 8kg or more of concentrates a day as a racehorse may have have the following problems when he comes off the track: Bacterial…
Horses are trickle feeders, designed to eat fibre all day long, rather than consuming large meals less frequently. Fibre digestion takes place in the hindgut where a population of micro-organisms break down the fibre, in a process called fermentation, to provide a source of slow-release energy. Fermentation requires a healthy population of bacteria in the…
