What effect do GASTRIC ULCERS have on the horse and its MUSCULAR SYSTEM?

What effect do GASTRIC ULCERS have on the horse and its MUSCULAR SYSTEM?

Did you know that it is reported that 1 in 3 horses may have stomach ulcers & statistically this is 90% of all racehorses in training, 70% of all performance horses or those in full work & 40% of so called leisure horses, so those in infrequent work or even pasture ornaments! Horses can also develop ulcers in their hindgut (small/large intestines/cecum). This condition is commonly referred to as colonic ulcers or right dorsal colitis (RDC). In a recent study of 545 horses tested for RDC, 44% of nonperformance horses and 65% of performance horses had colonic ulcers. This type of ulceration is much harder to diagnose as there is no definitive test/procedure available apart from limited ultrasound, so would appear to be unrecognised by many owners/trainers & vets & consequently is greatly under reported from my experience.

 

Horses with ulcers might show tension and soreness in certain areas, areas known as the ulcer points. Following treatment the soreness often returns in these areas. This is due to gastric ulcers. One of the common sore spots is often on the right hind or the horse may step short or have an odd gait and curves to the left side and pushes out through the right rib cage, the hind gut is on the right side.

Effect on the muscular system
Hugely important but not always realized, body pain goes hand in with ulcers. Whether arising from muscles, skeletal problems or from joints, pain is inextricably associated with impaired performance. The form that the issue takes is, of course, variable, but may include reluctance to jump in good form, running out, bucking or refusals. It is not uncommon for the horse to buck after a jump. Similarly horses may be reluctant to go down hill. In such cases (including the horse landing after a jump), when the stomach has been compressed by the abdominal contents the acids in the stomach are splashed up and onto the non-glandular portion. This portion of the stomach is more susceptible to acid damage than the glandular portion (that portion secreting the acid.) Performance horses, for example may refuse to take a specific lead or to perform a rollback or pirouette, slide, etc. Due to the consistent muscle pain patterns found in ulcer cases, the horse will cross canter or refuse to pick up a specific lead. Often these horses do not come through in the hindquarters (especially the right hind). They are often restricted in the shoulders due to a consistently found neuromuscular pattern that tightens the fascia over the muscles of the shoulder and wither pocket area. This myofascial contracture limits the ability of the muscles to lengthen and shorten appropriately. The result is pain and develops into a consistent pattern of vertebral dysfunction in the wither vertebrae. Other consistent findings include chiropractic issues in the thoraco-lumbar area (the transition zone from chest vertebrae to the loin vertebrae). There is also a consistent pattern of pain and dysfunction where the lumbar vertebra joints articulate with the sacrum. Vertebral joint dysfunction is defined, basically, as an inability of joints to move through their full range of motion. Loss of joint motion results in pain and inability to use the back well. One very important muscle that is frequently dysfunctional in ulcer cases is the Psoas (pronounced “SO-as and is actually a group of 3 muscles). Taken together, this group represents one of the largest and strongest muscles in the body. Its function is to stabilize and protect the pelvic girdle from damage. This is the group of muscles that prevents a racehorse from literally fracturing its pelvis when it bolts from the starting gate. The Psoas muscles are usually intimately involved in chronic sore backs in both horses and people. When there is Psoas muscle pain the pelvis and croup muscles cannot function well. The croup muscles then go into spasm and are painful to palpation (touch). Understanding this, it is easy to visualize significant loss of performance ability.

Signs of ulcers:
1. Weight Loss: Of course this depends on the severity and duration of the ulcers. However, even in somewhat less severe cases horses are moderately down in weight. The horse may show some loss of muscle mass and top line.
2. Eating Patterns: You may notice that it has become a slow or picky eater. Some will literally walk away from their hay and/or grain. It is common that they may nibble hay, but refuse grain.
3. Appearance: The hair coat, especially, over the thorax (chest) is duller than on the neck or hindquarters.
4. Resistance to Grooming: Many horses with ulcers do not like to be brushed on the bottom of the chest and abdomen. They may even kick out if touched in the area of the sheath or mammary glands.
5. It is very important to note that some horses may be in good flesh, have good appetites and still have ulcers in their digestive tracts and have musculo/skeletal issues and performance related problems that are consistent with the ulcers.
6. Horses with chronic ulcers may show poor quality feet
7. Changes in behavioral patterns: The horse may respond by becoming more resistant to going forward and responding to the normal aids. It may kick out, rear or buck when asked to go forward. It may respond by becoming more irritable in general, but specifically to being groomed or handled. Some progress to the point of being aggressive.

Pain due to gut pain and ulcers is very hard to remedy with only therapy. The ulcer problem needs to be fixed internally first and with muscular therapy you will be able to reduce and resolve any associated soreness and muscular tension!
Horses are meant to graze all day, which means they produce stomach acid 24/7. They can produce up to 16 gallons of acidic fluid every day. Horses’ stomachs also have two different linings:
The glandular mucosa is a stronger protected lining at the bottom of the stomach where the acid sits. The glandular mucosa is where you will see ulcers from NSAID use/overuse due to decreased blood flow to the stomach lining.The squamous mucosa makes up the top half of the stomach and is a non-protected lining.These two types of stomach lining meet at the margo plicatus. This is where you most often see the beginnings of stress ulcers; as they get more severe, they can cover the whole squamous mucosa.

Two types of “ulcer horses”
High energy and outwardly nervous horses tend to show their stress, whether through behavior, sweat, poor performance or other signs. The silent sufferer is what is called the internalizer”. These horses do not show signs or symptoms. They may simply have a poor hair coat, an inability to put on weight, or display a slight change in behavior.

What can you do?
Find the source of stress in order to treat the ulcers.
Rest. A horse’s stomach can heal itself. If he is removed from the stressful situation, he will usually heal within a month.
Many medications treat ulcers, including acid pump inhibitors, H2-antagonists, and antacids.
There are also many natural approaches: slippery elm, aloe vera juice, licorice, papaya and more.
Monitor your horse closely and review his / her diet. Treat any suspected ulcers and maintain good ulcer management even once healed. Prevention is better than cure!

Thanks for reading!

(Some of the information was taken from http://www.animal-mrt.com as well as from the TCM equine site.)