Risk factors for equine glandular and squamous gastric disease in show jumping Warmbloods

Prevalence of, and risk factors for, equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD) are well established. Limited data exists on risk factors for equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD).

To identify management factors associated with EGGD in show jumping Warmbloods in training. A secondary objective was to identify management factors associated with ESGD.

Cross-sectional.

Gastroscopies were performed in horses following a 12-16 h fast. Management questionnaires were collected for each horse. Risk factors were determined using multivariable logistic regression modelling.

Eighty-three horses were included in the final analysis. Exercising ≥6 days per week increased the odds of EGGD grade ≥1/4 (odds ratio [OR] = 3.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2-10.7) compared to less frequent exercise. Currently showing increased the risk of EGGD grade ≥2/4 (OR = 10.2; 95% CI, 1.04-100), while competing at the international level decreased the odds of EGGD grade ≥2/4 (OR = 0.11; 95% CI, 0.01-0.97). Exercise intensity increased the odds of grade ≥1/4 ESGD (OR = 2.8; 95% CI, 1.03-7.8) and feeding beet pulp decreased odds (OR = 0.22; 95% CI, 0.07-0.7). Exercise intensity (OR = 3.8; 95% CI, 1.1-12.8) increased the likelihood of grade ≥2/4 ESGD and feeding beet pulp decreased the odds of grade ≥2/4 ESGD (OR = 0.1; 0.02-0.64) respectively.

This study used a convenience sample of horses within a relatively small (approximately 200 km) geographic radius. The sample size was relatively small, particularly within the international competition level group.

Training and feeding strategies and competition level appear to influence the occurrence of EGGD and ESGD. Prospective studies evaluating the impact of training frequency, duration, and intensity on gastric physiology may clarify the role of exercise in gastric disease.