Gastric Ulcers in Horses: How PEMF Supports Gut Healing

Gastric ulcers plague a huge percentage of performance horses. PEMF therapy can support gut healing alongside traditional treatment.

The statistics are staggering: up to 90% of racehorses and 60% of performance horses have gastric ulcers. And those are just the ones we know about. Your horse doesn't have to be racing or showing at the top level to develop them. Stress, diet, training schedules, and even personality type all play a role. If your horse is girthy, picky about food, has a dull coat, or just seems "off," ulcers should be on your radar.

The Standard Approach

Omeprazole (GastroGard or UlcerGard) is the go-to treatment, and it works. But it's expensive, the treatment course is long, and ulcers have a frustrating tendency to come back once you stop. Managing ulcers long-term usually requires a combination of medication, dietary changes, stress reduction, and management adjustments. That's a lot of moving parts.

How PEMF Supports Gut Healing

PEMF therapy isn't going to replace omeprazole for active ulcers. Let's be clear about that. But it can support the healing process in meaningful ways. When we apply PEMF to the abdominal area, it increases blood flow to the gut lining, which is essential for tissue repair. It also helps reduce the overall stress response in the horse's body, and stress is one of the biggest drivers of ulcer formation and recurrence.

• Improved blood flow to the gastric lining supports faster tissue repair
• Reduced cortisol and stress hormones help break the ulcer cycle
• Relaxation during treatment can help horses who are chronically tense
• Can be used alongside medication without interference

The Bigger Picture

What we've noticed is that horses who receive regular PEMF as part of their overall wellness routine tend to have fewer ulcer recurrences. Is that because of the direct effect on the gut? Maybe. Or maybe it's because their overall stress levels are lower, they're more comfortable in their bodies, and they're not carrying the tension that contributes to ulcer formation. Probably a bit of both.

Michelle approaches ulcer cases as part of the whole horse. She'll check the back, the girth area, the abdominal muscles, all areas that tend to guard and tighten when a horse has ulcers. Addressing that secondary tension makes the horse more comfortable and can improve appetite and willingness to work.

If your horse is dealing with ulcers and you want to add PEMF to the recovery plan, give us a call at (973) 908-1524 or visit our equine services page. We bring everything to your barn across Northern NJ, Hudson Valley NY, and Eastern PA.

Article by Onyxx Media Group