Equine America Uls Gard Regular Solution

Equine America Uls Gard Regular Solution is used for horses suffering from equine gastric ulcers which are caused by erosion of the horse’s stomach lining due to prolonged exposure to acid produced by the stomach. They occur with a wide range of severity, from an inflamed but intact stomach lining, through to widespread erosion and bleeding. In extreme circumstances the condition develops to such an extent that perforation of the stomach can occur, and this can be fatal. Such fatalities most commonly occur in foals, rather than adult horses.
Gastric ulcers occur when aggressive factors in gastric juice – such as acid and digestive enzymes – overpower the protective factors in the stomach lining. As horses have evolved to be continually feeding, acid is continually secreted into the stomach; this means that prolonged periods without food to neutralise that acid can lead to ulceration.
When horses are denied free access to feed or fail to eat, ulcers can develop rapidly.
Gastric ulceration is a serious yet common condition that can affect any horse – from the most sedate pony to performance and racehorses.
Studies indicate that gastric ulcers occur in up to:
37% of leisure horses
63% of performance horses
93% of racehorses
Foals are also at particular risk – around 50% of foals develop stomach ulcers, particularly in the first few months of life. Foals are known to secrete substantial amounts of gastric acid by 2 days of age, resulting in highly acidic stomach contents in between periods of time when they are nursing. As a foal’s stomach lining is thinner than that of an adult horse, it is particularly susceptible to damage.
Proposed risk factors for gastric ulcers in foals include:
Physiological stress
Concurrent illness
Transportation
Weaning, or reduced feed consumption
Recurrent diarrhea
Common Risk Factors include:
Diet
As horses are ‘trickle feeders’ there is a continuous secretion of acid within the stomach, so prolonged periods without food to neutralise that acid can lead to ulceration. When horses are denied free access to feed or fail to eat, ulcers develop rapidly. Use of concentrated feeds may also contribute to ulcer risk by reducing the time spent feeding and increasing gastrin levels.
Intensive exercise.

There is a definite association between equine training and gastric ulceration. Even non-intensive training is associated with a high prevalence of stomach ulcers. It has been shown that blood flow to the stomach (which helps to remove acid) decreases with exercise – while increased pressure in the abdomen during exercise.
It is difficult to recognize the signs of ulcers but they may include one or more of the following:
Poor appetite
Weight loss
Poor performance
Irritability when girthing up
Poor condition including dull coat
Behavioural changes
Mild or recurrent colic
Loose droppings

TIPS FOR PREVENTING ULCERS
Wherever possible, a pasture diet is ideal – small, regular amounts of grass, hay and beet pulp during the day means the horse chews well and digests more slowly. This is natures way of avoiding ulcers by neutralize the gut.
Turn out for grazing as often as possible.
Reduce acidity in the diet by avoiding high starch feeds – this will help neutralize the acid in the digestive tract.
Avoid Bute or NSAID's
Avoid stress!!!
Equine America has now been selling Ulcer Supplements for over 6 years – at a time when many vets were unaware of the scale of the problem of Ulcers. Where ulcers were diagnosed they were recommending products which are very expensive at around £25 per day and are not suitable for long term usage as they inhibit the enzymes in the gut. Ulser Gard, on the other hand, works naturally by balancing the acid in the gut and coating the ulcer.
Ulser Gard works in four ways:
By neutralizing acid in the stomach with effective anti-acids
Soothing and coating the stomach lining
Healing any underlying ulcers
Firming Stools

Ulser Gard was found to be the most effective and affordable treatment by the 'Horse Journal' when compared with other brands and is the only ulser supplement to undergo intensive trials.

As a result of the environment, work and the feeding regimes that domestic horses are exposed to, the stomach can become irritated and sensitivities can occur. This results in a loss of condition and performance. U-Gard Plus® contains ingredients to soothe and coat the stomach providing support against these stresses.

U-Gard Plus® should be given to all competition horses and those on high concentrate diets, with every feed.
Does not contravene with current Jockey Club or FEI rules; it can continue to be fed whilst the horse is competing.

For scouring foals, Ulser Gard can also be syringed into the mouth as the ingredients also help to firm stools.

946 ml.