Slow Feeders for Ulcer Prevention: The Science-Backed Strategy (2026 Guide)

Last Updated: February 9, 2026

Target Keywords: horse ulcer prevention, slow feeder gastric ulcer, equine gastric ulcer syndrome, EGUS diet management

Target Audience: Horse owners managing or preventing gastric ulcers through dietary strategies

2-Minute Version (Read This First)

1) What is the real problem?

A horse produces stomach acid continuously. Long forage gaps leave the upper stomach unprotected.

2) Why does it matter?

Ulcer risk rises when meals are too infrequent. This affects comfort, behavior, and performance, not just veterinary costs.

3) What should you do next?

• Prioritize forage continuity first; medication plans come after baseline feeding is stable.
• Use a feeder setup your horse will actually accept (avoid over-restriction on day one).
• Run a 7-day transition and monitor appetite, manure, and behavior before tightening intake.

Quick Scenario Match (Ulcer Risk First)

7-Day Action Plan (Ulcer-Prevention Setup)

1. Day 1: Record current gaps without forage and identify highest-risk fasting window.
2. Day 2-3: Introduce moderate slow feeder access and verify acceptance.
3. Day 4-5: Fine-tune hole size and hay type for stable intake pace.
4. Day 6-7: Reassess behavior, manure quality, and overnight forage continuity.

The Ulcer Epidemic: Why Every Horse Owner Should Care

Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) is one of the most common health issues facing horses today. The statistics are alarming:

“Even horses that appear healthy and perform well can have significant gastric ulcers.” — Kentucky Equine Research

The good news? Slow feeding is one of the most effective preventive strategies—and it costs far less than treatment.

Understanding Equine Gastric Ulcers

Anatomy: Why Horses Are Ulcer-Prone

Unlike humans, horses produce stomach acid continuously—whether they’re eating or not. Their stomachs are divided into two regions:

The problem: When a horse’s stomach is empty, acid “splashes” onto the unprotected squamous region. This is exactly what happens with traditional 2-3 meal-per-day feeding schedules.

What Causes Ulcers?

How Slow Feeders Prevent Ulcers

The Mechanism

Slow feeders create a protective cycle that directly addresses the root causes of ulcers:

Continuous Eating → Continuous Chewing → Continuous Saliva Production
        ↓                                          ↓
Extended Forage Access ← Stomach Never Empty ← Saliva Buffers Acid
        ↓                                          ↓
Natural Grazing Behavior               Fiber Mat Protects Stomach Wall

Key Protective Factors

The Research: Ulcer Prevention Through Feeding

Quick Takeaway: EGUS Prevention Signals

High-risk cases still require veterinary diagnosis. Use slow feeding as a core management layer, not a replacement for clinical care.

Study 1: Fasting and Ulcer Risk

Banse et al. 2018 / Luthersson et al. 2022

This research examined the relationship between feeding frequency and ulcer risk:

“Horses fed 3 or more meals per day had 6-7 times lower risk of gastric ulcers compared to horses fed fewer than 3 meals.”

Implication: Simply increasing feeding frequency dramatically reduces ulcer risk. Slow feeders achieve this by extending each meal indefinitely.

Study 2: Time Without Forage

Research has shown that fasting periods exceeding 4-5 hours increase ulcer risk:

“Prolonged fasting periods may cause gastrointestinal or behavior problems in horses, such as increased risk of gastric ulcers.” — Clara Bordin, MSc, University of Turin

Implication: Slow feeders can extend feeding time by up to 61% (KER 2024), potentially eliminating dangerous fasting periods entirely.

Study 3: Feeding Time Extension

Bordin et al. 2024

This study compared feeding rates across different methods:

Key finding: Partially filled haynets extended feeding time by up to 61% compared to ground feeding.

Study 4: Natural Grazing Behavior

Seabra et al. 2023, Colorado State University

“Horses in the slow-feeding group exhibited activity time budgets resembling natural conditions—spending 50%+ of their day foraging.”

Implementing Slow Feeders for Ulcer Prevention

The Ideal Setup

Daily Protocol

Special Considerations for Ulcer-Prone Horses

Slow Feeders vs. Other Ulcer Prevention Methods

Cost Comparison

2023-2024 Research: Omeprazole vs. Dietary Management

Recent studies highlight the limitations of medication-only approaches:

“Glandular ulcers may have a different underlying pathology not fully addressed by acid suppression alone.” — Kentucky Equine Research

Implication: Dietary management through slow feeders addresses root causes that medication alone cannot—making it an essential component of any ulcer prevention or treatment plan.

Key insight: Slow feeders are a one-time investment that addresses the root cause of ulcers—rather than ongoing medication that treats symptoms.

Combination Approach

For at-risk horses, the best strategy combines multiple factors:

                  ULCER PREVENTION PYRAMID
                  
                        ┌────────┐
                        │ Stress │
                        │Reduction│
                       ┌┴────────┴┐
                       │ Proper   │
                       │ Exercise │
                      ┌┴──────────┴┐
                      │ Alfalfa/   │
                      │ Buffer Hay │
                     ┌┴────────────┴┐
                     │   Slow       │
                     │   Feeder     │
                    ┌┴──────────────┴┐
FOUNDATION ──────► │ CONTINUOUS      │
                   │ FORAGE ACCESS   │
                   └─────────────────┘

Warning Signs Your Horse May Have Ulcers

Behavioral Indicators

Physical Signs

If you observe these signs: Consult your veterinarian. Slow feeders help prevent ulcers, but existing ulcers require veterinary diagnosis and treatment (typically omeprazole).

Common Mistakes in Ulcer Prevention

Summary: The Ulcer Prevention Protocol

For All Horses (Prevention)

For At-Risk Horses (Enhanced Prevention)

Related Articles

• slow feeding for concentrates - Align forage strategy with safer concentrate delivery.
• winter feeder strategy for horses - Manage seasonal stressors that can worsen ulcer risk.
• slow feeder FAQ - Clarify medication, feeding intervals, and practical caveats.
• study-based slow feeding principles - Revisit the mechanisms that explain why this protocol works.

Sources

• Banse HE, Andrews FM. 2019. Equine glandular gastric disease. Equine Veterinary Journal.
• Bordin C, et al. 2024. Feeding Behaviour Related to Different Feeding Devices. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition.
• Harris P, et al. 2017. Review: Feeding conserved forage to horses. Animal.
• Kentucky Equine Research. 2026. Nutritional Management of Gastric Health. ker.com
• Luthersson N, et al. 2022. Risk factors for equine gastric ulcer syndrome. Equine Veterinary Journal.
• Roig-Pons M, et al. 2025. Survey of Slow-Feeder Use in Three European Countries. Journal of Veterinary Behavior.
• Seabra JC, et al. 2023. Effects of Feeding Strategies on Horse Welfare. PLoS ONE.
• Texas Haynet. Slow Feeding and Ulcer Prevention. texashaynet.com
• Utah State University Extension. Prevention of Gastric Ulcers. usu.edu

Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes. Horses with suspected or confirmed gastric ulcers require veterinary diagnosis and treatment. Slow feeders are a prevention and management tool, not a replacement for veterinary care.