Ulcer Supplement vs Omeprazole for Horses
Only one of these has published evidence for healing squamous gastric ulcers. What the supplements are for, and why scoping comes first.
The short version
If a horse has diagnosed gastric ulcers, omeprazole is the treatment with the evidence behind it, given at the correct dose for the correct duration under veterinary direction. Supplements are not treatment. Some have a role in supporting a horse after healing or through a stressful period, and a few ingredients have modest supporting work, but none of them reliably heals an ulcerated stomach. The step most owners skip is diagnosis. Ulcer signs overlap with many other problems, and treating a horse for months on a supplement while the real cause goes unexamined is both expensive and unkind.
At a glance
| UlcerGard Omeprazole Oral Paste | Absorbine PRO CMC Gastric Relief Supplement | |
|---|---|---|
| Heals squamous ulcers | Yes, with published evidence | No |
| Requires veterinary involvement | Yes for treatment dosing | No |
| Typical course | Weeks at a treatment dose | Ongoing |
| Cost of a full course | High | Lower per month |
| Addresses management causes | No | No |
| Diagnosis needed first | Yes, by gastroscopy | Yes, ideally |
Choose the UlcerGard Omeprazole Oral Paste if…
Omeprazole is what your vet will reach for once ulcers are confirmed, and the dose for treating ulcers differs from the dose used to prevent them in horses under short term stress. Follow the prescribed course rather than stopping when the horse looks better, because relapse is common, and ask about the plan for coming off it. Not all gastric ulceration responds the same way, since ulcers in the glandular part of the stomach behave differently and often need additional medication.
Check UlcerGard Omeprazole Oral Paste on Amazon
Choose the Absorbine PRO CMC Gastric Relief Supplement if…
A gastric support supplement is a reasonable thing to feed alongside good management after a treatment course, or through a period of travel or box rest, if your vet has no objection. Treat the claims with caution and do not use one instead of investigating a horse that is losing weight, girthy, grumpy or off its food. Read the ingredient list against competition rules if you compete, since some ingredients are prohibited.
Check Absorbine PRO CMC Gastric Relief Supplement on Amazon
Related
Comparison based on published manufacturer specifications and the general consensus of owner reports. We have not tested these products side by side. Confirm current specifications and prices before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the signs of gastric ulcers in a horse?
Poor appetite or picking at feed, weight loss or difficulty holding condition, a dull coat, girthiness, resistance under saddle, changes in temperament and mild recurrent colic. The trouble is that all of those also occur with dental disease, PPID, parasites, pain elsewhere and a dozen other conditions. That is exactly why gastroscopy matters: it tells you whether ulcers are actually there rather than leaving you treating a guess.
Can I prevent ulcers with management alone?
Management does a great deal. Continuous access to forage keeps the stomach buffered, whereas long gaps without food leave acid on an empty stomach. Reducing large grain meals, limiting stress, and providing turnout and company all help. Alfalfa fed alongside meals is often recommended for its buffering effect. Those changes cost nothing and they work regardless of whether a supplement is added.
My horse is off his feed and dropping weight. Should I treat for ulcers?
See your vet rather than treating speculatively. In an older horse, weight loss and appetite change most often trace back to dental disease, PPID, parasites or another underlying illness, and ulcers are only one item on that list. A physical examination, a dental check, bloodwork and a faecal egg count will narrow it down quickly. Speculative treatment delays the diagnosis and can cost more than the workup would have.
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