10/02/2026
Good Information!
GIRTHINESS DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY MEAN ULCERS
One of the most frequently repeated assumptions is:
“The horse has suddenly become girthy, therefore it must have ulcers.”
It isn’t that straightforward.
Girthiness is a sign of discomfort, but it does not identify where that discomfort originates.
Gastric ulceration can be involved, but there are many other potential contributors, including gastrointestinal irritation, inflammation, fascial tension, musculoskeletal restriction, saddle pressure and changes in autonomic nervous system regulation.
The hyoid and fascial connection
The structures around the throat, chest and sternum are interconnected through muscles and fascia.
The hyoid apparatus, including muscles such as the sternohyoideus and omohyoideus, forms part of this interconnected system.
Fascia does not function as a collection of isolated pieces. Tension or altered sensory input in one area can influence movement and tension elsewhere through the body’s interconnected mechanical and neurological systems.
The autonomic nervous system is also constantly receiving information from the body.
The vagus nerve forms an important part of the communication between the visceral organs and the brain.
Where there is ongoing gastrointestinal irritation, inflammation, altered gut function or physiological stress, the nervous system continues to receive signals that something is not quite right.
This can influence muscle tone, sensitivity, movement and fascial tension.
The stomach is not the whole GI tract
This is why simply assuming that girthiness means gastric ulcers — and then addressing only the stomach — can overlook the bigger picture.
The horse is one interconnected system:
stomach → small intestine → hindgut microbiota → intestinal function → liver → autonomic nervous system → vagal signalling → fascia → biomechanics
The aim is therefore not simply to ask:
“Which ulcer supplement should be used?”
The more useful question is:
“What could be contributing to this horse’s discomfort?”
And this is particularly important in horses already showing signs of broader metabolic or gastrointestinal imbalance.
😍 Fascial relationships matter
The fascial relationships associated with the stomach do not simply map onto the area where the girth sits.
The traditionally described fascial line associated with the stomach extends towards the left hindlimb/stifle region, rather than ending at the girth area.
Therefore:
Girthiness ≠ proof of active gastric ulceration.
A horse can have gastrointestinal dysfunction without girthiness, and a girthy horse does not automatically have active gastric ulceration.
The important point is to look at the whole horse rather than attaching one symptom to one diagnosis.
A symptom is information — not a diagnosis.
Understanding the communication between the gastrointestinal system, autonomic nervous system, fascia and biomechanics provides a much broader picture of what may be happening within the horse.
If you need help to link up the dots give me a message 🌿
