Choosing the Right Gastric Supplement for Your Horse
How to support your horse’s gut health with science-backed ingredients.
Updated July 15, 2024
Your horse’s stomach plays a critical role in digestion, but the impacts of gastric health do not stop at feed utilization (turning feedstuffs into energy and nutrients). An unhealthy stomach can cause wide-ranging problems from weight loss to poor performance and behavioral changes. This is because gastric issues can be incredibly uncomfortable and persistently bothersome.
Gastric upset is not only uncomfortable, but it’s also unfortunately common. In fact, research has shown that 60% of performance horses and 90% of racehorses have gastric ulcers [4]. This is because modern horse care and feeding practices are often at odds with how horses naturally live and eat.
Horses need to graze for approximately 17 hours daily to meet their nutritional needs. Their stomachs were designed to continuously produce acid to aid in digestion. In a natural grazing situation, where a horse is eating and chewing all day, the stomach acid produced is buffered by forage and saliva, keeping it from damaging the sensitive stomach lining. This is why feeding large, infrequent grain meals can lead to big problems for the stomach.
Anytime you’re concerned about your horse’s health, we always recommend working closely with your veterinarian, who will help you determine what treatment and management options are best for your unique horse. Slow feeding tools, like hay bags, stall toys, and specially designed grain buckets, can help prolong eating time and keep contents in the stomach for longer. In addition to management changes and veterinary care, a daily gastric health supplement can help support a normal, healthy stomach.
How Gastric Supplements for Horses Work
Ingredients in gastric health supplements work in three primary ways:
- Support the normal structure and function of your horse’s stomach.
- Help buffer sensitive stomach structures against acid.
- Aid in soothing existing irritation.
Key Ingredients in Gastric Health Supplements
The below nutrient amounts in milligrams (mg) are recommended daily ranges based on a 1,000-pound adult horse.
Calcium and Magnesium Carbonate
These two macro minerals help neutralize excess stomach acid in addition to numerous other roles they play throughout your horse’s body. Supplements most often provide 1,000 – 5,000 mg of either, or sometimes both nutrients when the goal is to support a normal stomach pH.
Glycine
This amino acid has been shown to inhibit excess gastric secretions and help protect gastric mucosa against stress [9]. Supplements often provide between 750 and 1,000 mg for stomach support.
Glutamine
This amino acid plays a critical role in the normal repair of gastrointestinal tissues, including your horse’s stomach lining. You’ll generally see anywhere from 500 to 10,000 mg of glutamine in gastric health supplements.
Pectin
This structural carbohydrate has many benefits for horses, including protecting the stomach against gastric lesions [8].
Lecithin
This naturally occurring fatty substance is found in plants (such as soybeans) and animals. Lecithin is shown to protect gastric tissue by supporting the stomach’s defense systems in two ways. First, it forms a barrier between stomach contents and epithelial cells, and second, it helps with cell membrane turnover and wound resealing [8].
Sea Buckthorn
The berries of the sea buckthorn shrub provide a wide range of compounds whose antioxidant and immune-modulatory properties assist in normal gastrointestinal tissue healing and repair. A research study performed by Dr. Frank Andrews suggested that this ingredient may be helpful for horses at risk for stomach issues [6]. You’ll often find 5 – 35 g of this ingredient for gastric support.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is one of the most commonly used supplement ingredients and is available in liquid and pellet form. The gel inside its leaves has a demonstrated effect on gastrointestinal tissue, most likely due to antioxidant and cell-protective properties [5]. For a basic level of support, 35 mg of aloe vera is common. However, 10,000 mg or more is generally appropriate, particularly if this is the only ingredient you are offering for stomach support.
Deglycyrrized Licorice
One of the most widely used herbs for people and animals, deglycyrrized licorice is used for its action on inflammation, healing, and gastric upset [2]. Typically, gastric supplements recommend 1500 to 2500 mg of deglycyrrized licorice.
MHB3® Hyaluronan
MHB3® Hyaluronan is a unique form of hyaluronic acid (HA) often found in amounts ranging from 120 to 240 mg in supplements. This patented, high molecular weight HA offers researched gastroprotective properties [1], like promoting healing in stomach tissues [7]. Because MHB3® Hyaluronan mimics natural HA in horses' bodies, it's highly bioavailable and delivers superior results compared to other forms of HA.
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Demonstrated in a 56-day clinical trial, hydrolyzed collagen helped maintain stomach health in horses undergoing the stress of stall confinement and intermittent feeding [3]. Ranges of 2500 to 3000 mg of hydrolyzed collagen can be found in supplements.
Beta Glucan
Beta glucan is a type of soluble fiber found in various grains and fungi. It acts as a prebiotic, meaning it nourishes the beneficial bacteria in the gut. Beta glucan contains bioactive components that can help shield the stomach lining from irritation. This can promote a healthy inflammatory response within the digestive system. Amounts ranging from 100 to 225 mg of beta glucan may be used for gastric support.
Researched Gastric Support
When we developed our SmartGut® Ultra Pellets formula, we partnered with gastric health researcher Dr. Frank Andrews of Louisiana State University to conduct a clinical research study.
Study Methods
A blinded, two-period crossover study was performed. During the first 14 days, both the control group and test group received GastroGard® to establish a healthy baseline stomach. Between days 14 and 28, the control group received a placebo while the test group received SmartGut Ultra. During that time period, both groups of horses were exposed to stress, including stall confinement.
Study Results
The control group had significantly higher scores on day 28, which represents declining stomach health. As a result, the researchers concluded that SmartGut Ultra helped maintain stomach health in horses under stress. Read the full study here.
Can Gastric Health Supplements Help My Horse?
With gastric issues being so common, a wide variety of horses may benefit from this type of support. Whether your horse has had previous stomach problems, or they have risk factors such as, intense training, competition, shipping, large infrequent meals, stall confinement, or other stressors, formulas containing these ingredients may be a good choice.
If you are concerned that your horse may be suffering from active gastric upset, the first thing to do is to have your veterinarian examine your horse and diagnose any issues.
What To Expect When Feeding Gastric Supplements
Supplements formulated to support gastric health generally take 6-8 weeks to reach their full benefit. Towards the end of that timeframe and after it, look for your horse to show signs of normal gastric functioning and comfort during times of stress. These signs may include an improved, healthy appetite during mealtimes or noticing fewer cranky reactions from your horse when grooming, tacking up, or training.
Need Help Shopping for the Right Supplement?
If you’re still not sure which supplement would be ideal for your horse, our Horse Health Experts are here for you! Call 1-800-461-8898 and we would be happy to help you choose the most suitable formula for your unique horse.
Evidence-Based References
- Al-Bayaty, Fouad. “Evaluation of Hyaluronate Anti-ulcer Activity Against Gastric Mucosal Injury.” African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, vol. 5, no. 1, Jan. 2009, pp. 23–30. https://doi.org/10.5897/ajpp10.211.
- Aly, Adel M., et al. “Licorice: A Possible Anti-inflammatory and Anti-ulcer Drug.” AAPS PharmSciTech, vol. 6, no. 1, Mar. 2005, pp. E74–82. https://doi.org/10.1208/pt060113.
- Andrews, F., et al. “Effects of Hydrolyzed Collagen on Equine Gastric Ulcers Scores and Gastric Juice pH.” Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, vol. 52, May 2017, p. 91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2017.03.131.
- Andrews, Frank M. “Stomach (Gastric) Ulcers in Horses.” Merck Veterinary Manual, 3 June 2019, www.merckvetmanual.com/horse-owners/digestive-disorders-of-horses/stomach-gastric-ulcers-in-horses.
- Avijgan, Majid, et al. “Effectiveness of Aloe Vera Gel in Chronic Ulcers in Comparison With Conventional Treatments.” PubMed, vol. 41, no. 3 Suppl, May 2016, p. S30. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27840496.
- Huff, N. K., et al. “Effect of Sea Buckthorn Berries and Pulp in a Liquid Emulsion on Gastric Ulcer Scores and Gastric Juice pH in Horses.” Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, vol. 26, no. 5, July 2012, pp. 1186–91. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-1676.2012.00975.x.
- Slovis, Nathan. “Polysaccharide Treatment Reduces Gastric Ulceration in Active Horses.” Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, vol. 50, Mar. 2017, pp. 116–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2016.11.011.
- Venner, M., et al. “Treatment of Gastric Lesions in Horses With Pectin‐lecithin Complex.” Equine Veterinary Journal, vol. 31, no. S29, Apr. 1999, pp. 91–96. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb05178.x.
- Zhong, Zhi, et al. “L-Glycine: A Novel Antiinflammatory, Immunomodulatory, and Cytoprotective Agent.” Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care, vol. 6, no. 2, Mar. 2003, pp. 229–40. https://doi.org/10.1097/00075197-200303000-00013.