“Bad behaviour”… or a sign of something more?

Gastric ulcers are a common but often overlooked cause of behaviour changes in horses - and they don’t always present in obvious ways.

Because ulcers are painful, many horses show subtle (or not so subtle) changes in how they act. These can include:

Girthiness or sensitivity when tacking up or grooming
Reluctance to go forward or sudden “laziness”
Bucking, rearing, or resistance under saddle
Grumpiness around food or stable routines
Poor performance or loss of condition

It’s easy to label these as training issues or “just attitude”… but in many cases, there’s an underlying medical cause.

Why do ulcers affect behaviour?

The horse’s stomach is designed for near-constant grazing. Modern management - periods without forage, high-concentrate diets, stress, travel, or increased workload - can all contribute to ulcer development. Discomfort in the stomach can quickly translate into changes in mood and behaviour.

What should you do?

If your horse’s behaviour has changed, especially alongside any physical signs, it’s worth investigating further. Identifying and treating ulcers early can make a huge difference - not just to performance, but to overall wellbeing.

Behaviour is communication - and it’s always worth listening.

If you’re concerned about your horse, speak to the team 0808 168 5580