GASTRI GOLD

GASTRI GOLD is a natural, high-quality supplement for horses, specifically developed to resolve gastric problems and to support long-term stomach health.

Did you know that there is also a better and natural way to address gastric problems in horses?

In in-house research with GASTRI GOLD, a noticeable improvement was observed in more than 80% of the horses. Rider satisfaction scores were significantly higher than with other supplements and almost comparable to medication. The majority indicated that they would choose GASTRI GOLD again in the future.

While other supplements attempt to neutralise gastric acid (with negative effects on digestion and gut microbiota), GASTRI GOLD leaves natural gastric acid production untouched. By means of very high molecular weight hyaluronic acid, it forms a protective film over the stomach lining and supports recovery.

In addition, GASTRI GOLD contains a high dose of GoldBiotics® (a concentrated mix of prebiotics, postbiotics and a fatty acid glycerol ester), which strengthens the immune system, reduces stress and helps maintain a healthy mucus layer via the gut–stomach link and the gut–brain axis.

💡 It is a natural alternative to medication such as omeprazole and to chemical agents such as sucralfate, but without their adverse effects. Moreover, it can be used safely long-term, is doping-free and environmentally friendly.

The horse’s stomach is relatively small (approximately 10 litres, only about 7% of the total gastrointestinal tract).

A horse produces gastric acid continuously (up to 60 litres per day), even when it is not eating. This is an evolutionary consequence of their natural behaviour of ingesting small amounts of roughage for 16–20 hours per day.

The stomach consists of two parts:

The squamous region (upper part, without a protective mucus layer and therefore highly vulnerable to ulcers).
The glandular region (lower part, protected by a mucus layer but sensitive when blood supply is compromised and under stress).

Management factors

Gastric problems in horses often arise due to management factors. Horses are naturally adapted to consume small amounts of roughage for up to 20 hours per day. When roughage is not continuously available or when concentrates are fed in excessively large portions, alternating periods of overfilling and an empty stomach occur. Because horses also produce gastric acid continuously at rest (up to 60 litres per day), this greatly increases the risk of damage to the stomach lining. High levels of starch and sugar further amplify this risk by increasing acid production and disturbing the gut microbiota.

Stress also plays a major role. Under workload or environmental stress, gastric acid production increases while appetite decreases, leaving the stomach empty more often. In addition, blood flow to the stomach lining is reduced and cortisol levels rise, weakening the immune system and slowing mucosal recovery. Research has shown that horses with EGUS (Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome) have higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in their blood. Anything that disrupts the gut microbiota, such as a high-sugar diet or sudden feed changes, further exacerbates this via the gut–brain axis: stress levels rise and resistance decreases, making the stomach lining even more vulnerable.

Traditional non-medicinal approaches

Many non-medicinal approaches to gastric problems in horses are based on neutralising gastric acid with alkaline supplements or feeds. Although this may appear to provide short-term relief, it disrupts natural pre-digestion in the stomach. Feed is insufficiently prepared for further digestion, leading to accumulation in the intestines, gas formation and colic-like symptoms.

In addition, neutralising gastric acid negatively affects the gut microbiota. The delicate microbial balance is disrupted, allowing harmful bacteria to produce toxins that damage the intestinal wall. This can lead to a leaky gut and an increased passage of toxins into the bloodstream. These toxins also reach the stomach lining, causing additional inflammatory reactions, hindering regeneration of the gastric mucosa and potentially worsening existing damage. This creates a vicious cycle in which gastric problems repeatedly recur.

Medication (such as omeprazole)

In more severe gastric conditions, medication such as omeprazole is often used. While this drug effectively reduces gastric acid production, it also has significant drawbacks. Natural gastric acid is an essential barrier against harmful bacteria; when acid production is reduced, these bacteria can survive and multiply. Furthermore, gastric acid is required for the initial step in digestion and absorption of minerals such as calcium, magnesium and zinc, as well as vitamins such as B12. When this process is disrupted, deficiencies may develop.

In addition, omeprazole affects fermentation processes in the large intestine. Reduced gastric acid leads to shifts in microbial balance, resulting in overproduction of harmful fermentation products, gas accumulation and colic-like symptoms. Dysbiosis caused by omeprazole may also weaken immune function, making horses more susceptible to inflammation and infections of the gastrointestinal tract.

• Leaves natural gastric acid production untouched.
• Forms a protective film on the stomach lining, supporting recovery and ulcer healing.
• Stimulates the gut microbiota, structurally improving stomach health via the gut–stomach axis.
• Contributes to stress reduction via the gut–brain axis.
• Natural, non-chemical, doping-free and environmentally friendly.

👉 In practice, visible improvement is sometimes observed after just three days of use.

In cooperation with equine practitioners, horses with known gastric problems received a 20-day course of GASTRI GOLD (1 litre bottle).

More than 80% of riders reported clear satisfaction, often comparable to medication.

No changes were made to diet or management, meaning the effect could be attributed solely to GASTRI GOLD.

Important: there is not always a linear correlation between gastroscopy findings (visible ulcers) and behavioural or performance changes; the horse’s behaviour and welfare are at least as important in evaluation.

Additional benefit: when combined with dietary adjustments (less starch and sugar, more natural vitamin E), results are even better.

Case

Day 0: the horse shows clear discomfort when the abdominal/stomach area is touched.
Day 4: noticeably calmer, less discomfort. In some cases, a visible effect occurs after only three days of use.

GASTRI GOLD works partly according to the same principle (protective layer on the stomach lining), but has important advantages:

100% natural, no chemical aluminium compounds.
Safe for long-term use (sucralfate exceeds the ADI for aluminium in horses by up to eight times).
Not subject to doping regulations and more cost-effective in use.

Very high molecular weight hyaluronic acid: protects the stomach lining, supports ulcer healing and promotes tissue repair.

GoldBiotics® (prebiotics, postbiotics, fatty acid glycerol ester):
supports the stomach via the gut–stomach link,
strengthens the immune system,
promotes healthy blood flow to the stomach and intestinal wall,
contributes to a healthy mucus layer.

Availability: 1 litre bottles (note: highly viscous product, allow the dosing device to fully empty).

Standard dosage: 50 ml per day, 15–60 minutes before the main meal.

With multiple concentrate feedings: 30 ml before each feeding.

In more severe cases: double dosage for one to two weeks.

Administration

On a small amount of grass pellets, or
directly into the mouth using a syringe.

Tips for optimal effect

Limit starch and sugar to a maximum of 100 g per feeding.
Ensure adequate natural vitamin E intake.
Combine with COMBI GOLD or COMBI PLATINUM for daily balancing support.

Research shows that supporting the gut microbiota in horses (mares) leads to:

higher conception rates,
shorter foaling intervals,
improved immunity and milk quality,
higher birth weights,
better gut microbiota in foals.

👉 Therefore, the combination of GASTRI GOLD with GOLDBIOTICS® ICU EQUINE is strongly recommended.

• GASTRIGOLD Composition

  • A highly viscous, high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid, which forms a protective film in the stomach. This shields the stomach lining from acid, allowing existing ulcers to heal while maintaining normal stomach function.

  • Hyaluronic acid also promotes wound healing.

  • A high dosage of GOLDBIOTICS ICU, a blend of prebiotics, postbiotics, and a fatty acid ester of glycerol.

  GOLDBIOTICS ICU supports the stomach by:

  • The gut-stomach link, promoting overall digestive health.

  • Strengthening the immune system, ensuring better protection against gastric inflammation.

  • Maintaining normal blood flow to the intestinal wall, which helps preserve a healthy mucosal lining.

Dosage:
50 ml/day, at least 15 minutes (max. 60 minutes) before the main meal.
If more than 1 meal of concentrate feed is given: 30 ml at least 15 minutes before each concentrate meal.
Double the dosage for 1 to 2 weeks for more severe issues.

How to administer?

• Either on a small amount of hay pellets

• Or via a syringe in the mouth.

Stronger results are achieved by limiting the amount of starch + sugar in the concentrate feed to 100g per meal and ensuring the horse gets sufficient natural Vitamin E.

Simultaneous stomach medication is not required.

GASTRIGOLD is available in 1-liter bottles. The product is very viscous, so wait a moment for the full dose to flow out of the bottle.
It is also recommended to use Combi Gold or Combi Platinum as a balancer, which contains a lower dosage of GOLDBIOTICS.