Over the past few years, awareness of the benefits of various dietary supplements—particularly pectin and lecithin—in maintaining healthy gastric and intestinal mucous membranes has increased significantly. Lecithin and pectin are capable of buffering gastric acids, protecting the digestive tract’s mucosal lining, and increasing gastric pH. While medical treatments are an effective means of healing ulcers, they do not eliminate the risk of recurrence once treatment ends. Natural dietary supplements are therefore recommended, as they support the horse’s natural biology, promote ulcer healing, and help maintain the protective barrier function of the intestinal mucosa.
Gastric ulcers are a common problem in horses. They affect not only performance horses but also leisure and companion horses. The equine digestive tract—especially the stomach—is adapted to grazing and continuous digestion of feed.
The horse’s stomach is divided into two parts: the squamous (epithelial) region and the glandular region. These regions differ both structurally and functionally. The lighter-colored squamous region has a skin-like, simple surface and primarily serves as a feed reservoir. This region lacks a protective mucus layer. In contrast, the naturally darker glandular region is highly active. Its mucosa produces hydrochloric acid, other digestive fluids, and mucus. The mucus protects the gastric lining from the corrosive effects of stomach acid. Hydrochloric acid is secreted continuously in the horse’s stomach—not only during feeding or when the stomach is full. Feed material and saliva naturally buffer the acid. Ulcers may develop in either region or in both. Currently, the most effective medical treatment is usually the proton pump inhibitor omeprazole, or combination therapy with sucralfate.
Pectin and Lecithin – Natural “Coating Agents”
Pectin is a water-soluble fiber found in the cell walls of fruits, tubers, and plant stems. At low pH, pectin forms a gel-like solution that helps buffer gastric acid. Pectin is a type of fiber with prebiotic benefits and is widely used in food production to create gel-like textures.
Lecithin is a naturally occurring phospholipid found in the cell membranes of animals and plants, most commonly derived from soybeans. Chemically, phospholipids consist mainly of fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3) attached to glycerol ends, making them water-repellent.
What benefits do these compounds offer the horse? As mentioned above, in acidic conditions pectin forms a gel and binds bile acids in the stomach. This increases the buffering capacity of gastric acid (making it less acidic) and creates a mucosa-like protective layer in the glandular region. Lecithin, in turn, helps stabilize the stomach’s natural phospholipid layer. In acidic environments, lecithin breaks down into a mixture of reactive phospholipids that help form a water-repellent barrier between the stomach wall tissue and gastric contents, strengthening the mucosal lining. In effect, it repels gastric acid away from the stomach wall and protects sensitive tissue. The pectin–lecithin combination also improves fat digestibility, which can reduce acid production. This combination works especially well as a mucosal protectant for horses receiving various pain medications. Numerous studies indicate that lecithin and pectin show great promise in the prevention and treatment of equine gastric ulcers.
Medical Treatment and Follow-Up Care
Current medical treatments relieve the horse’s condition in most cases. However, it is beneficial to consider a longer-term solution after medication in order to maximize treatment benefits, support the sensitive gut environment, and ensure proper digestive function. The goal is to prevent ulcer recurrence.
Although omeprazole is effective, long-term use is not recommended. Why? First, it almost completely suppresses gastric acid production. Gastric acid should not be viewed solely as harmful—it plays several essential roles. Without sufficient stomach acid, horses may suffer from protein deficiency, leading to muscle loss, impaired immune function, poor digestion, or hormonal imbalance. Gastric acid is also the horse’s first line of defense against harmful microbes ingested from the environment. Additionally, omeprazole inhibits the absorption of calcium, magnesium, and other minerals, potentially impairing metabolic pathways and skeletal health. Therefore, omeprazole is best used as a short-term primary treatment, with lecithin–pectin supplementation as longer-term follow-up care.
Predisposing Factors
It is not always possible to identify the exact cause of gastric ulcers, but several factors can increase risk:
- Irregular feeding schedules and long intervals between meals. Ulcer risk increases if the stomach is empty for more than six hours.
- Diet composition, particularly high-grain or high-starch diets, which increase digestive tract acidity.
- Intense training and competition.
- Social stress, such as relocation, stable changes, or herd dynamics.
Gastric ulcer symptoms should be taken seriously. Studies suggest that up to approximately 90% of racehorses, 60% of actively used horses, and 57% of foals have gastric ulcers. Owners should learn to recognize typical signs, including teeth grinding, colic, excessive salivation, weight loss, reduced appetite, decreased performance, behavioral changes, and a poor coat condition.
CdG Products Containing Lecithin and Pectin:
Protect That Tummy 2–4 kg from €55.90
Sources:
- Venner, M., Lauffs, S., Deegen, E., 1999. Treatment of gastric lesions in horses with pectin-lecithin complex. Equine Veterinary Journal Supplement, April, 29, 91-96.
- Sykes, B.W., Sykes, K.M. & Hallowell, G.D., 2013. Efficacy of a combination of a unique, pectin-lecithin complex (Apolectol), live yeast, and magnesium hydroxide in the prevention of EGUS and faecal acidosis in Thoroughbred racehorses: A randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Equine Veterinary Journal, 45, 16.
- Woodward, M.C., Huff, N.K., Garza, Jr., F., et.al., 2014. Effect of pectin, lecithin, and antacid feed supplements (Egusin) on gastric ulcer scores, gastric fluid pH and blood gas values in horses. Eleventh International Equine Colic Research Symposium, Dublin, Ireland, July 2014, 7-10.
- Another option is a lecithin/apple pectin supplement called Starting Gate (SBS Equine Products).
- Melo S.K.M. et al. A proton-pump inhibitor modifies the concentration of digestion biomarkers in healthy horses. J Equine Vet Sci, 2014.
- Murray M.J. Grady T.C. The effect of a pectin-lecithin complex on prevention of gastric mucosal lesions induced by feed deprivation in ponies. Equine Vet J. 2010.
- Videla R. Andrews F.M. New perspectives in equine gastric ulcer syndrome. Vet Clin North Am Equine Prac. 2009.
- Sanz M.G. et al. Efficacy of a pectin-lecithin complex for treatment and prevention of gastric ulcers in horses. Vet Rec. 2014.
- Neito J.E. et al. Prevalence of gastric ulcers in endurance horses – a preliminary report. Vet J. 2004.
- Andrews F.M. et al. Effect of a pelleted supplement fed during and after omeprazole treatment on nonglandular gastric ulcer scores and gastric juice pH in horses.. Equine Vet Ed. 2015.
