Prevalence and risk factors for the presence of gastric ulcers in pleasure and breeding horses in Italy

Simple Summary Equine Squamous Gastric Disease and Equine Glandular Gastric Disease identify lesions in the two mucosae of the stomach. Different prevalences have been found in horses of different breeds engaged in different activities. Risk factors for the disease have been identified in some populations, with few studies evaluating pleasure horses. A cohort of 316 animals was sent for a gastroscopy to evaluate the presence and severity of lesions in either the mucosa or the stomach. A questionnaire about signalment, management, and health of the horses was given to the owners to identify possible risk factors for the two diseases. The prevalence of lesions of the squamous mucosa was similar to other reports and associated with signalment and management of the horses, especially the time and type of paddock, hay, and supplementary feed administered and time spent with the current owner or caretaker. Being used as a breeding animal was also a significant risk factor for ulcers in the squamous mucosa. In this population, the percentage of horses presenting lesions of the glandular lining was lower than in other studies, and of the parameters evaluated, they were associated only with the signalment of the horse, especially age and sex; management had a minimal effect on the development of ulcers in this part of the stomach.Abstract Equine Squamous Gastric Disease (ESGD) and Equine Glandular Gastric Disease (EGGD) are two terms used to indicate the presence of lesions of the squamous and glandular mucosa of the stomach. Prevalences, pathophysiology, and risk factors are different, and the latter have been investigated in different populations. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of ESGD and EGGD in a cohort of pleasure, breeding, and retired horses in Italy. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to investigate such a diverse population of animals and the first one that includes a large number of animals in Italy. Gastroscopies were performed in 316 animals, with and without clinical signs of gastric ulcers, and a questionnaire about signalment, management, activity, and health was given to the owners or caretakers. Prevalence of ESGD was similar to the current literature reports in comparable populations, and the disease was associated with signalment, time with the current owner or caretaker, management (time and type of paddock, hay, and supplementary feed administered), and activity performed. In this population, EGGD was present in a lower percentage of animals and, of the parameters evaluated, was associated only with the signalment, while management does not seem to influence the development of lesions in the glandular mucosa in this population.