As competition season approaches, horses often experience a gradual increase in workload, travel and routine changes. For many horses, this is when gut health quietly becomes one of the most important foundations of performance.

The equine stomach is designed to process forage almost continuously. When training intensity rises or horses spend more time travelling, that natural rhythm can easily be disrupted.

Understanding how to support the digestive system before, during and after work can make a real difference to comfort, behaviour and performance throughout the season.

Why Competition Horses Are More Prone to Ulcers

Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) is widely recognised in performance horses, and it’s estimated that a significant percentage of competition horses experience some degree of gastric irritation.

Several common aspects of competition life can increase risk.

These include:

Increased exercise intensity
Exercise increases acid splashing within the stomach, particularly when the stomach is empty.

Travel stress
Long periods in a lorry or trailer can disrupt normal feeding patterns and increase stress hormones.

Forage gaps
Time away from the stable, early morning travel or delayed feeding can leave the stomach without its natural fibre buffer.

Routine disruption
Changes in environment, stabling or competition atmosphere can increase physiological stress.

None of these are unusual in a competition horse’s routine. However, understanding the risks allows owners to take simple preventative steps.

Subtle Signs Owners Sometimes Miss

Ulcers don’t always present as dramatic symptoms. Many horses simply show small behavioural or performance changes.

Some early signs to watch for include:

• Mild irritability during grooming or girthing

• Reduced appetite or picking at feed

• Sensitivity around the flanks

• Resistance under saddle

• Loss of condition despite adequate feeding

• Changes in temperament or focus

Because these signs can appear gradually, they are sometimes mistaken for training issues or seasonal behaviour changes.

A Simple Pre-Work Fibre Routine

One of the most effective ways to protect the stomach during exercise is surprisingly simple: ensuring the horse has fibre in the stomach before work.

Feeding a small amount of forage or fibre-based feed before exercise helps create a natural barrier that reduces acid splashing within the stomach.

Many riders now incorporate a routine such as:

• A small haynet before riding

• A fibre-based chaff feed 20–30 minutes before work

• Avoiding long periods without forage before exercise

This approach supports the stomach’s natural buffering mechanisms and can help maintain comfort during training.

Travel and Competition Day Checklist

Travel and competition environments can create additional digestive stress, so it helps to plan ahead.

Some simple management strategies include:

Maintain forage access whenever possible
Offering hay during travel helps maintain gut movement and acid buffering.

Keep feeding routines consistent
Horses benefit from familiar feeding times and feeds, even when away from home.

Hydration matters
Ensure horses drink well before and after travel to support gut function.

Allow recovery time after travel
A short period of turnout or quiet time after arriving home helps reduce stress levels.

Small, consistent routines can make travel much easier on the digestive system.

Supporting Gut Health Through the Season

Daily nutritional support can also play a role in maintaining digestive balance during periods of increased workload and travel.

Radiance Gold Original is often used as a daily foundation for gut support, helping maintain a healthy digestive environment during training and competition schedules.

For situations where digestive disruption is more likely, such as travel, dietary changes or temporary digestive upset, Radiance Gold Charcoal can provide additional situational support.

These approaches are often used alongside good management practices to help horses stay comfortable through busy competition periods.

When to Speak to Your Vet

If a horse shows persistent signs of discomfort, appetite changes or behavioural shifts, it is always advisable to speak with your veterinarian.

Diagnostic tools such as gastroscopy can confirm the presence of gastric ulcers and guide appropriate treatment if required.

Early investigation often leads to much better outcomes than waiting until symptoms worsen.

Gut Health Is Performance Support

For competition horses, digestive health is closely linked with overall wellbeing and performance.

By maintaining consistent forage intake, managing travel stress and supporting the digestive system nutritionally, many owners find their horses remain more settled, focused and comfortable throughout the season.

The goal is not simply avoiding ulcers, but creating a management routine that supports the horse’s natural digestive balance.

Support the Gut Through Training and Travel

If your horse is entering a busier training and competition period, supporting gut health early can make a meaningful difference.

Radiance Gold Original is widely used as a daily foundation for digestive support.

Support your horse’s gut through training and travel.
Shop Radiance Gold Original today.