Gastric Ulcers

Gastric Awareness Month

Right ... It has been a while since my last Blog for RRR and quite a lot has happened since. 

What's been happening at RRR?

• We held our first clinic with Lynn Russell at Chelwood Equestrian Centre ( http://www.chelwoodequestrian.co.uk/Chelwood_Equestrian/CH_EQ_training_centre._Chelwood_Equestrian._East_Sussex.html ) which was a huge success and we learnt lots of fantastic tips! I will be writing a separate blog on our day there!
• Rebecca Laybourne has moved to Dorset with her Ex-Racehorse Fred and is having an amazing time based on the New Forest.  I am very jealous!  Rebecca will be spreading the word about RRR in that area which will enable us to branch out.  A huge Good Luck to her with everything!!
• I am currently looking into some summer clinics and have some exciting trainers and venues lined up.

Gastric Ulcers

I have also been on a fantastic journey with my mare recently and thanks to the vets at Cliffe Equine in Lewes ( http://www.cliffeequine.co.uk/Home.aspx ) and their Gastric Awareness month I have a much happier and healthier mare.  I thought it would be useful to people reading this, especially as the percentage of Ex-Racehorses with Gastric Ulcers is incredibly high, to share the information and results I have had.

I started to notice that my mare (Tilly) was getting worse in a few different area's:

• Excessively grumpy when girthing her up and changing rugs.
• Cribbing and windsucking more than when she originally came to me.
• Significant loss of weight although being fed more than usual ( and on a diet which had always suited her )
• Lying down and sleeping in the day.
• When she was put in stressful situations she would not move forward and cramp up.

Just so you have a little background on Tilly:

• Turned 4 on 24th April 2013 and now stands at just short of 17.1Hh
• Has raced twice in her career.
• Showed great promise at home with Richard Hannon, however, did not perform out.
• I have owned her straight out of training since july 2012
• She has last winter off and came back into work in January 2013.

I called Carl out from Cliffe Equine to do a Tape Worm blood test which I had been recommended to do but also thought it would be a good idea to discuss the possibilities of what may be causung the weight loss.  Carl discussed the possibility of Gastric Ulcers with me and described some of the symptoms other than weight loss. Tilly ticked quite a few of the boxes so I decided to book her in to the clinic to be scoped as part of their Gastric Awareness month.  She stayed the night before so that she could be starved over night and have water taken away from her a few hours before. 

It was confirmed immediately afterwards that she was suffering from significant grade 2 to 3 Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS).

She has been on a course of Gastro Guard now for 4 weeks and has 4 weeks to go on a lower dose - well what a difference!!!  In a matter of days she looked less tucked up and started to build up behind the saddle. As well as the Gatro Guard a few other things were suggested:

• It was advised that I change her management so that I avoided situations of stress as much as I possible.
• I remained on the same diet which is fibre based and will not aggravate the gut.
• Ad lib Hay.
• Turn Out as much as possible.

I have Juliette Lilly ( My Saddler ) coming out soon as she has changed so much in shape!

Maintenance is going to be a huge part of our journey but I really feel like we are back on track!!

This is only a snippet of my journey but there is an amazing website :  http://www.equinegastriculcers.co.uk/what_are.html
which has a lot more information on and could help you and your horses!!

I had under estimated how serious EGUS was and how it could lead to poor performance.  Now it is at the forefront on my mind!!

The Photo's are not the clearest of quality but this top photo was taken 4 weeks ago.


This bottom photo was taken 1 week ago and can clearly show the difference behind the saddle.  She is as shiny as she was before but I have had to enhance the lighting on this photo.

Tilly still has 4 weeks to go on the Gastro Guard and I cant wait to see the final result!





















Please do take a look at the website and bear this in mind when there are any of the symptoms showing!!

What to expect from RRR and what we need from you!!

Although we have had a slow start to 2013 as far as RRR is concerned there have been great progresses in the world of Ex-Racehorses in the South East.  There have been some fantastic local results and qualifications for RIHS and HOYS and Pippa Boyle is doing a fantastic job organising clinics for ROR in our area.

Please do let us know your thoughts on everything that is going on and any suggestions you may have for our community.  We are more than happy to organise clinics, Racing Yard open days, trips out racing and small competitions if there is the interest there.  PLEASE do let us know what you want as this is what we are here for!

I look forward to speaking and seeing you all soon!!!

Becki Leggatt
RRR
http://www.rrr-se.org.uk/index.html