Ulcer/gut health supplement

I was wondering since my horse doesn't have access to graze and is fed hay pellets only if I should be giving him some sort of ulcer supplement. He doesn't show any signs of having ulcers or digestion problems but I thought as more of a preventitive. What do you guys think?

Absolutely, there is nothing wrong with wanting to add a preventative. It's just like joint suppliments, just because your horse is 5 and doesn't have joint issues at this point in time, doesn't mean you can't give him/her joint suppliments to add as a preventative.

Why wait till there is a problem? If adding a suppliment to help prevent isn't going to hurt but help, instead of waiting until there is an issue, why not?

My TB gelding does have ulcers, and has digestive issues, but that's because he's 21 and his system is weaker now as opposed to where he was health wise when he was, say 10.

Anyways, I have him on some fabulous SmartPak suppliments, and I couldn't be happier with my choices. He has been on them for over a year now, and looks great, acts great and is going strong *knocks on wood*

I have him on SmartDigest Ultra:

SmartDigest Ultra - Horse Digestive Supplements from SmartPak Equine

I also have him on SmartGut Pellets, but that's designed for ulcered stomaches - after you do a full dose of an ulcer treatment.

There is also this product:

TractGard - Equine Ulcer & Gastric Health Supplements from SmartPak Equine

UGUARD Pellets have been terrific for my TB Gelding as a preventive. Its like getting his daily prilosec.

We have both our horses on Ulc-R-Aid as a preventative measure as well. I really like it, and I know our trainer uses it as well. It's pretty cheap too! You can find it on Valleyvet.com :)

Thanks I have always liked preventitives rather than having to treat problems if/when they arise but on the ulcer thing I just wasn't sure. I am looking at SmartCombo Ultra by smartpak. It has everything I want, joint,hoof,skin, and digestive health.

Still no luck on getting hay? Even if it's low quality hay, having something for him to munch on most of the day would be healthier for his gut than having just the hay pellets. Any kind of grass hay like bermuda, bahai, timothy, orchard, etc. You can get slow feeder nets to keep him busy longer, so you won't have to feed as much. 20 lbs of hay split into two slow feeder nets (along with your hay pellets), should last him 12-18 hours. If you feed twice a day, you could just hang 10 lbs, then refil with another 10 lbs at the next feeding.

I also agree, a good digestive supplement can be a great preventative, but feeding hay is healthier and likely cheaper .

I'm with luvs2ride on this one - horses are made to eat 24/7 - while for most of us, including me, that's not possible - the closer you can get to that, the better. And don't forget a great probiotic. That is very helpful for a healthy digestive system.

4 horses at my barn are on U-Gard. Abby was started on it yesterday. My BO swears by it.

I not sure what U-Guard pellet are, but the U-Guard I use is in a 8oz liquid bottle. It is the best ulcer treatment, and a great price. It sells for $69.99 for a 30 day treatment. I bought it at Big Dee's, or you can order on line at uguardusa.com. My friend is a thoughbred trainer for the last 40 years and he really swears by it too. He has been using it for the last 6 years. It really worked on my horse.