Question
My 10-year-old Rocky Mountain Horse gelding (14.3 hands, 800 lb or 365 kg) is a body condition score of 6 (moderately fleshy). He is fed unlimited grass hay with 1 lb (0.45 kg) of a high-fiber feed and 0.5 lb (0.23 kg) of alfalfa pellets twice a day. I ride him two to three hours a week, light to moderate trail-riding. I’ve owned him seven years, and his behavior has become more of an issue with each passing year. He is a crabby horse, pinning his ears and threatening to kick when approached. Further, he’s very sensitive to touch in the cinch area. I’ve spent years trying to diagnose the issue, employing various veterinarians, chiropractors, and other body workers. Though I never had him scoped for gastric ulcers, I put him on a 60-day regimen of omeprazole to clear any ulcers he had. I’ve seen no change in his behavior. As it stands now, I’d like to just support his digestive tract after the omeprazole treatment. What should I do about that? Also, I am happy with his weight, but I know some would consider him overweight. Is he OK at a solid score of 6?
Answer
Based on the low feeding rate of the concentrate (2 lb or 0.9 kg per day), your gelding would benefit from a high-quality vitamin and mineral supplement. When fed to the manufacturer’s recommendation, the supplement will fill any gaps in nutrient intake.
Many horse owners will give omeprazole as a treatment for ulcers without having a gastroscopy performed by a veterinarian. While omeprazole has been an effective treatment for gastric ulcers, especially those found in the squamous region of the stomach, the drug might not quell all lesions. A gastroscopy will help a veterinarian better understand what type of lesions are affecting the horse and will drive the treatment protocol.
Because your horse has already had omeprazole, a research-proven digestive health supplement would be an appropriate addition to your gelding’s diet. RiteTrac provides an antacid blend for gastric support by neutralizing acid and coating the stomach lining to help maintain gastric health. RiteTrac also contains a time-released hindgut buffer, thus offering complete digestive tract support. RiteTrac is recommended for use after ulcer treatment to help maintain a healthy digestive tract. Look for these digestive health supplements in Australia, including one that contains sucralfate, which creates a physical barrier that blocks the diffusion of acid within the stomach, thereby offering protection.
His current body condition would be considered within the normal range, especially for his breeding. Many Rocky Mountain Horses are easy keepers and maintaining them at a body condition score of 6 would require much more intense dietary management than your gelding seems to require now.
If your horse begins to gain weight, creeping into the 7 range, you should contemplate some management changes, which may include more thoughtful feeding of hay (limiting quantity and extending the time it takes for him to consume it, as with slow-feed haynets) or more exercise (bumping up both frequency and intensity).
Keep track of weight changes through periodic body condition scoring; once every week or so works nicely for many horse owners. By becoming familiar with your horse’s body condition, you will be able to recognize quickly when he loses or gains weight.
