It is quite common to hear that 60%–65% of horses have ulcers in their hindgut. Horses can suffer from a wide range of hindgut health problems, including torsion colic and diarrhea. Additionally, colonic ulcers, on the other hand, are the most common hindgut health problem in performance horses.
Taking a deeper look at the horse hindgut will help us gain a better understanding of it.
An Introduction to the Hindgut
The horse’s hindgut, also known as the large intestine or colon, is crucial to the operation of the entire digestive system as well as to the bacterial composition. To understand the digestive system of the horse, one must first learn about the significance of the hindgut. The bacteria in the horse’s hindgut ferment and digest the feed as it moves through the digestive tract. Compounds produced by bacteria, yeast, or other microbes are chemically broken down during fermentation.
Colonic ulcers are another name for hindgut ulcers. Since the majority of hindgut ulcers develop in the area of the horse’s right side of the large intestine, it is frequently referred to the ailment as Right Dorsal Colitis (RDC).
Although it is less common than stomach ulcers, hindgut ulcers are very prevalent in horses. A horse could also experience both stomach and hindgut ulcers at the same time.
What causes hindgut ulcers in horses?
There are significant similarities between gastric and hindgut ulcers that can occasionally make diagnosis and differentiation challenging.
Routine stalling, lack of access to regular fodder for extended periods of time, and stress are frequently linked to hindgut ulcers.
There are a number of causes of hindgut ulcers in horses, including-
- Grain overconsumption
A horse may kill off the “good” bacteria and encourage the growth of dangerous germs if they ingest too much grain in a short period of time.This is referred to an acidosis of the hindgut.
The most frequent cause of hindgut acidosis and excessive colon acidity in horses is starch overload. The pH of the hindgut can significantly decrease as a result of excessive grain consumption and insufficient pasture.
- Parasites:
Parasites like tapeworms, tiny strongyles, and others can cause ulcers where they attach to the intestinal wall.
A horse develops parasitic colitis when it consumes parasites like gnathostomes or cyathostomins that encroach on the intestinal walls. These parasites’ emergence may lead to gut barrier lesions and inflammation.
- Too much stress and pressure :
Gastric and hindgut ulcers are more likely to form in horses who are under chronic stress from overtraining, frequent transport, or unnatural management practices such as recurrent halting.
Any kind of persistent stress in horses increases their risk of developing stomach and colonic ulcers. The adrenal glands create the hormone cortisol when a horse is under stress.
Hindgut ulcers and colonic ulcers: how do they get diagnosed?
As was previously said, hindgut ulcers are far more difficult to identify than gastric ulcers because of their position. Base your preliminary diagnosis on your observation of the symptoms. Horse hindgut ulcer symptoms can be hazy, especially in the early stages. These symptoms are also often seen in gastric ulcers as well.
Signs of hindgut ulcers in horses may consist of:
- Colic attacks that recur frequently
- Insufficient appetite
- Girthy
- Dull coat of hair
- Lethargy
- Sensitivity on the flanks
However, if the situation worsens, owners could see these signs:
- Fever
- Complete loss of appetite
- Diarrhea.
An endoscope cannot see the problems in the hindgut that are usually the cause of the clinical indications. An ultrasound scan and blood tests are much more helpful to diagnose the hindgut ulcer. The sooner you start horse ulcer treatment, the better the outcome.
Best horse ulcers treatment and preventive measures for hindgut ulcers in the horse
If hindgut ulcers are found or believed to exist, dietary and management adjustments will probably be necessary to start the horse ulcer treatment and healing process.
These changes could involve:
- Adding a high-quality equine probiotic product as a supplement.
- NSAIDs discontinued.
- Long-stem alfalfa hay can be added to the diet to increase buffering power.
- Instead of one or two large grain meals, feed your pet frequently modest grain meals.
- Changing your deworming regimen if parasites are thought to be the cause of your ulcers in the hindgut.
Best ulcer medication for horses
Sucralfate is the best treatment for hindgut ulcers. It has a high success rate, and starts healing the ulcer very quickly.
In cases where the ulcers are advanced, simple dietary changes will not be sufficient, Absucralfate forms a “protective coating” over the ulcer. This medication will coat the ulcer, which will help to prevent more damage.
If your horse is showing signs of hindgut ulcers in your horses, Abler has the solution for effective treatment at the right price.
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