What to feed a horse with ulcers?

Equine Gastric Ulcers (EGUS) affect many horses. Gastric Ulcers can have a significant impact on horses’ daily life and overall wellbeing. Research carried out by our team of Horse Insurance experts here at SEIB, published in March 2025, found that Gastric Ulcers are the most common cause of Horse Insurance claims. Not only are Equine Gastric Ulcers a frequently claimed for ailment, claims can be costly; almost half of claims for EGUS for SEIB customers cost over £3,000.

Following veterinary treatment for Gastric Ulcers, knowing what to feed your horse to keep him fit, healthy and ulcer free can sometimes be challenging.

Our Horse Insurance team looked further into this with some advice from the experts over at Dengie Horse Feeds.

Katie Reeve, MSc. (Dist), R Nutr, Equine Nutritionist, at Dengie Horse Feeds has over 10 years of experience working in the equine feed industry. As a key part of her role, Katie delivers educational talks and training to different audiences and focuses on keeping up to date with the latest research and translating this into clear, practical guidance for horse owners.

Happy bugs, healthy horse

Micro-organisms can help your horse get the most from their high-fibre feed while supporting digestive health.

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to supporting our horses’ digestive systems. Whether it’s managing those prone to gastric ulcers or colic, or just simply trying to promote a healthy gut, one of the most important things we can do is to feed a high fibre diet.

As horses have evolved to eat plant material, their digestive tract is at its healthiest when consuming diets that are high in fibre. Fibre has a complex structure, and horses don’t possess the enzymes required to break it down. Instead, they rely on trillions of bacteria and other microorganisms like fungi and protozoa to break it down by microbial fermentation. Maintaining the delicate balance of the microbial population within the hindgut is an important consideration for overall health, with any disruptions here increasing the risk of problems like colic or digestive upset.

Biotics – What are they and how can they help?

Often referred to as ‘digestive aids’, biotics are ingredients that are alive or originate from live bugs, or act on the bugs that are already in the digestive system. These include not only pre- and probiotics, but also postbiotics as well. Using feeds containing these ingredients can have several benefits for the horse’s digestive system:

•  FOS prebiotics are a food source for beneficial bacteria in the gut. Well-fed bacteria will flourish and outnumber harmful species, helping to create a healthy gut environment.

•  Live yeast, a type of probiotic, helps to make the fibre digestion process more efficient so horses tend to get more from the fibre they are fed.

• Postbiotics are beneficial substances produced by probiotics which can provide further support for the horse’s digestive health. Including postbiotics within the diet helps to top up the horse’s natural supply, especially at times of stress or digestive upset, and provide support for gut health. 

Which feeds contain biotics?

Dengie Ulser Lite and Dengie Healthy Tummy both contain extra digestive aids in the form of prebiotics, live yeast and postbiotics to provide further support for digestive health.

•  Ulser Lite is a low calorie chopped and pelleted fibre feed which is perfect for good doers.

•  Healthy Tummy is a nutritionally balanced, higher calorie alternative for those needing additional help maintaining their weight and condition.

Choosing a Suitable Feed

The BETA feed approval mark for horses prone to Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) was set up in conjunction with, and is endorsed by, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), with very strict criteria about ingredients used in the products and claims that can be attributed to them. It’s therefore a great independent indicator of a product’s suitability for horses prone to EGUS. As well as Healthy Tummy and Ulser Lite, Dengie’s Performance Fibre and Alfa-A Oil are also accredited with the BETA feed approval mark for horses prone to EGUS.

About Dengie

If you would like the Dengie nutrition team to review your horse’s diet and help you select the most appropriate feed for supporting their health and performance call the Dengie Feedline on 01621 841 188 or alternatively complete our Feed Advice Form.

For more information visit dengie.com

About SEIB

SEIB Insurance Brokers have been providing insurance for Horses for over 60 years. We provide a flexible range of policies to suit your needs from Horsebox Insurance and Horse Trailer Insurance too. Our experienced team of horse owners can help provide you with advice on what cover you might need.

For more information on analysis of our insurance claims data please visit here.