We often are asked about Ulcergard or Gastrogard in relation to ulcers. Let’s talk about how those products work, and compare to Basic Animal Health’s GutHealth
UlcerGard works by reducing the amount of acid produced in a horse’s stomach, which helps prevent and heal gastric ulcers.
Here’s a simple breakdown of how it works:
🧪 Active Ingredient: Omeprazole
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Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) — it blocks the enzyme (the “proton pump”) in the stomach lining that produces hydrochloric acid.
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By stopping acid production at the source, it helps raise the stomach’s pH (make it less acidic).
🐴 Why That Matters for Horses
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Horses constantly produce stomach acid, even when not eating.
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When they go long periods without forage (like during trailering, showing, or fasting), acid can splash onto the unprotected upper part of the stomach, causing ulcers.
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UlcerGard reduces that acid, so it’s less likely to burn the stomach lining.
Let’s compare Omeprazole with Basic Animal Health’s GutHealth
What each one does
Omeprazole
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Mechanism: Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). It blocks the H⁺/K⁺-ATPase pump in parietal cells of the stomach, thereby reducing gastric acid secretion and raising stomach pH. Mad Barn USA+2DVM360+2
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Proven efficacy: In a study of 100 thoroughbred racehorses with ulcers, 77% treated with omeprazole showed complete healing after 28 days and 92% had significant improvement. PubMed
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Limitations/risk: There is documented risk of “rebound hyperacidity” when omeprazole is discontinued suddenly. Ker+1 And omeprazole primarily addresses the stomach (gastric) acid issue, not necessarily hindgut or cecal pH imbalances.
Basic Animal Health GutHealth
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GutHealth is formulated to support the entire digestive tract: stomach and hindgut (cecum/large intestine). It uses ingredients such as micro-encapsulated sodium bicarbonate (for pH buffering), aloe vera (soothing/gastroprotective), xanthan gum (forms a protective coating/gels) and other digestively supportive ingredients. Basic Animal Health | Info – BAH+2Basic Animal Health | Info – BAH+2
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Helps maintain/raise hindgut pH (thus reducing hindgut acidosis), supports microbial balance, improves nutrient absorption, supports daily maintenance rather than just acute treatment. Basic Animal Health | Info – BAH+1
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Target use: More oriented toward ongoing digestive health, prevention of hindgut imbalance, perhaps for performance or stressed horses, rather than solely treatment of diagnosed gastric ulcers.
Here are the reasons why GutHealth could have advantages over using omeprazole alone.
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Broader digestive tract support
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Omeprazole addresses acid production in the stomach (gastric ulcers) but does not directly treat hindgut issues. GutHealth is designed to address both stomach and hindgut pH, microbial balance, etc. Basic Animal Health | Info – BAH+1
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Not all digestive upset is caused by stomach ulcers—many horses show signs of discomfort related to the hindgut.
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If your horse has symptoms related to hindgut distress (e.g., inconsistent behavior, mild digestive upset, hindgut acidosis) then GutHealth may address that aspect more directly.
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Daily maintenance/preventative vs. acute treatment
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Omeprazole is often used for treatment of diagnosed ulcers (or prevention during an acute stress period) and requires specific dosing. PubMed+1
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GutHealth is designed for ongoing daily supplementation to maintain gut health, prevent recurrence, support under‐stress scenarios. This may make it better for long-term digestive maintenance rather than just “fixing ulcers”.
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Non‐drug, “all natural” supplement profile
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Some owners prefer avoiding strong pharmaceuticals if possible, and may like a supplement approach that claims to support the system rather than suppress acid production. GutHealth emphasizes ingredients like aloe, camelina oil, encapsulated sodium bicarbonate, xanthan gum. Henderson’s Western Store+1
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There are potential downsides of PPIs like omeprazole: It may interfere with normal acid‐dependent digestion/mineral absorption, and stopping it suddenly can cause rebound acid production.
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