Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) is quite prevalent in performance and racehorses. EGUS has been associated with poor performance through response to therapy observations, owner and trainer reports of clinical signs at positive gastroscopy and in one experimental model and therapy trial evaluating physiologic indices of performance. Gastroscopy remains the most consistent and reliable for the diagnosis of EGUS. Treatment is based on anatomic location and severity. Prevention management remains challenging in the face of current necessary feeding and management protocols for most performance horses. Diagnosis and management of equine gastric ulcer syndrome offers an opportunity to holistically manage equine athletes presenting for elective surgery.
