02/06/2026
Why shouldn't you feed grain or grain-based feeds to ulcer-prone horses?
Within the stomach of the horse resides numerous microscopic organisms such as the Lactobacillus and Streptococcus species. Their role is to breakdown and ferment some of the sugars and non-resistant starch found in the grains. From this, these microbes produce products such as lactic acid and volatile fatty acids, especially propionate.
The lactic acid serves an obvious role in the progress of ulcers within the stomach by raising the acid level, increasing the number and severity of the ulcers in the stomach lining. Propionate works to breakdown the mucosa lining of the stomach wall through various ways:
* Converting into the weak acid Propionic acid which directly damage the cells that make up the stomach wall by also increasing the amount of acid in the stomach.
* Damaging the cells of the stomach wall by penetrating them and releasing hydrogen (H+) ions which damage the internal structure of the cells, including the energy producing mitochondria. The now weak, low energy, damaged cells cannot maintain their structural integrity meaning they are easily damaged by the highly acidic environment of the stomach.
* With the stomach cells now damaged and low in energy, the increased amount of H+ ions weaken the tight junctions between each cells. This tight junction maintains the protective barrier of the digestive tract, keeping unwanted compounds out of the body. A faulty protective barrier due to weak tight junctions between the cells allows corrosive acids to pe*****te deep into the stomach tissue, and in some severe cases into the body.
Therefore, it is highly recommended to provide your ulcer-prone horse with low-irritant, high-fibre feed with no grain or grain-based feeds and a moderate level (5 to 8%) of a high omega 3 oil (omega 3 is anti-inflammatory but only if there is an equal or lesser amount of omega 6 in the diet).
Because most low sugar and starch (non-structural carbohydrate or NSC) diets are low in trace minerals and often compromised in other minerals and vitamins, it is also highly recommended to provide your ulcer-prone horse with a quality mineral, vitamin, and amino acid supplement like MTB Top Shelf or our high quality, horse-specific lick, MTB Top Lix. Both products are fully complete and fortified to meet the nutrient requirements of horses in all conditions. MTB Top Lix is the only complete horse lick built specifically for horses.
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