The problem: the horse's stomach is not designed for sport
The horse is a herbivore that in nature grazes continuously — up to 16–18 hours a day. This behaviour ensures a constant flow of hay and buffering saliva that neutralises the gastric acid the stomach produces continuously.
Modern stabling, concentrated meals, the long gaps without food between one feed and the next, and the physical and mental stress of competition break this balance. Acid builds up, the gastric mucosa becomes irritated, and over time genuine lesions can develop.
Studies show that the prevalence of gastric lesions in show-jumping, dressage and endurance horses varies between 60% and 93% of the animals examined.
How to recognise the signs
The horse rarely shows gastric pain in an obvious way. The signs are often subtle and are attributed to behavioural or training problems:
- Reduced appetite or refusal of the concentrate
- Weight loss or difficulty maintaining body condition
- Unstable mood, irritability, resistance under saddle
- Difficulty relaxing and flexing
- Excessive salivation or empty chewing
- Odd postures (stretching the neck, scratching the back)
- Bruxism (teeth grinding)
- Softer-than-usual droppings or changes in consistency
The pharmacological approach vs the natural one
Omeprazole (a proton pump inhibitor) is the standard pharmacological treatment for equine gastric ulcers. It works by blocking acid production — effective in the short term to heal existing lesions.
The problem with omeprazole is that, used continuously for prevention, it can disrupt digestion (gastric acid is needed to activate many digestive enzymes) and leads to the so-called “rebound” when it is stopped: the stomach overproduces acid to compensate.
A natural gastric support like Equilibrium does not block acid production: it creates a protective physical barrier on the gastric mucosa through adsorption. The principle is different — and complementary to pharmacological therapy in severe cases.
How Equilibrium works
Equilibrium is a complementary mineral feed based on micronised Nocera Umbra clay. Once ingested, the clay reaches the stomach and spreads over the gastric mucosa, forming a protective layer.
This layer works in three ways:
- Adsorption: the clay absorbs excess acid thanks to its porous crystalline structure
- Film-forming effect: it forms a physically protective film between the acid and the mucosa
- Mineral supply: the clay's minerals support the regeneration processes of the mucosa itself
When to use it
- Seasonal prevention: 2–4 weeks before the start of the competition season
- Periods of stress: stable changes, long transport, intensified training
- Dietary change: before and during the transition to a new forage or concentrate
- Support for veterinary therapy: alongside (not in place of) prescribed treatments
- Chronic maintenance: for animals with confirmed gastric sensitivity
Dosage and how to administer it
The standard dose is 50g per day for an adult horse of 300–500kg. Mix it directly into the main meal. Most horses accept the product without problems — the clay has a neutral taste.
For “fussy” horses, you can spread the product on the hay or mix it with a palatable food (chopped carrot, apple). The important thing is that it is ingested with food, not on an empty stomach.
The basic cycle is 30 days. For animals with chronic problems or high competitiveness, extend it to 60–90 days. After the main cycle, a maintenance dose of 25–30g/day every day or on alternate days keeps the benefits over time.
Compatibility with medications
Equilibrium is compatible with all veterinary medications, including omeprazole. If the veterinarian has prescribed a therapy, administer Equilibrium at least 2 hours before or after the medication so as not to interfere with absorption. It is not a medication and does not require a prescription.
Like all Miraclay products, Equilibrium is non-doping and compatible with the FEI and FISE anti-doping protocols.