{"product_id":"vetpro-acid-protect","title":"VetPro Acid Protect","description":"\u003csection\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"horses-stomach-heading\" class=\"vetpro-green-heading\"\u003eThe Horse’s Stomach\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe stomach of the horse produces acid 24\/7, unlike a human stomach that only secretes acid when a signal is triggered by enzymes in the mouth indicating food is coming. This makes the horse vulnerable to damage to the stomach wall and the potential for ulcers to develop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn its natural environment the horse is a grazing animal, regularly taking in grass and legumes throughout the day and night. These stay in the stomach and offset the acid and its negative effects. Humans interfere with this naturally evolved behaviour by using a horse for recreational, work and sporting demands, feeding grain feeds and undertaking intensive exercise such as racing \u003cem\u003e(Lorenzo-Figueras \u0026amp; Merritt, 2002)\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese changes from a natural lifestyle can mean the stomach is left empty for periods of time because the grazing time of the horse is restricted, travelling a horse or other times when a horse has to be stabled and hay is not constantly available.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverweight horses and ponies are also vulnerable due to dietary controls to reduce their weight. So, at times of work demands, high grain feeds or in conditions of grazing restriction, there is a need to neutralise the acid to prevent damage to the mucosa of the stomach.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAcid splash occurs when a horse is exercised on an empty stomach and acid splashes up onto the upper stomach lining which is particularly sensitive. It is common in racehorses and competitive riding horses, but also horses on high grain diets or those being transported over long distances.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003csection\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"stomach-acid-effects-heading\" class=\"vetpro-green-heading\"\u003eHow The Horse is Affected by Stomach Acid\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe result may be an ulcer, and the pain can affect the attitude of the horse and its performance in any genre of horse sports. They change their attitude, becoming irritable and non-compliant. Sometimes girthing up brings a negative response, teeth grinding, loss of appetite and weight loss, and a poor coat \u003cem\u003e(Vokes et al., 2023)\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGenerally, horses with a placid, easy-going disposition show fewer signs than more sensitive types. A veterinarian will investigate and use a gastroscope to diagnose an ulcer and prescribe a 28-day course of Omeprazole to resolve the ulcer. It is after the end of the course that support is needed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003csection\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"omeprazole-heading\" class=\"vetpro-green-heading\"\u003eThe Problems of Extended Application of Omeprazole\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe option of continuing with omeprazole is not a good one. It does create negative health issues for the horse including a reduced absorption of calcium \u003cem\u003e(Pagan et al., 2020)\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStudies have shown that a rebound of hyperacidity can occur even when a horse is restricted for a few days prior to racing \u003cem\u003e(Shan et al., 2023)\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf Omeprazole is continued along with the use of NSAIDs such as phenylbutazone, then disruption to hindgut function is a result. There is also evidence that it becomes less efficient with an extended application \u003cem\u003e(Sykes, 2021)\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003csection\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"acid-protect-heading\" class=\"vetpro-green-heading\"\u003eSafe Long-Term Prevention by Neutralising Stomach Acid\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-20093 size-medium alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/vetpro.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/NEW-Graph-August-2026-300x259.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"259\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vetpro.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/NEW-Graph-August-2026-300x259.png 300w, https:\/\/vetpro.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/NEW-Graph-August-2026-1024x885.png 1024w, https:\/\/vetpro.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/NEW-Graph-August-2026-768x664.png 768w, https:\/\/vetpro.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/NEW-Graph-August-2026-500x432.png 500w, https:\/\/vetpro.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/NEW-Graph-August-2026-700x605.png 700w, https:\/\/vetpro.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/NEW-Graph-August-2026.png 1349w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo, if conditions of the environment, use and feeding of the horse are not changed then the problem of ulcers may come again.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeing able to neutralise acid for the period of time that the horse is in work, racing, travelling or on restricted forage intake is an ideal solution.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVetpro Acid Protect\u003c\/strong\u003e has been internationally developed and scientifically proven to neutralise acid in the stomach to prevent damage to the stomach mucosa \u003cem\u003e(Leleu \u0026amp; Couroucé, 2023)\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVetpro Acid Protect\u003c\/strong\u003e does provide a minimum of 6 hours acid neutralisation which can cover the period of time a horse is vulnerable to acid damage \u003cem\u003e(VSN, 2021)\u003c\/em\u003e. It can be given twice a day to cover a minimum of 12 hours of vulnerable time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e","brand":"VetPro","offers":[{"title":"1kg","offer_id":55317632975127,"sku":"EQACIDPROT1","price":89.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0754\/5100\/7255\/files\/Acid-Protect_a5a009ea-479e-42ec-bb25-9b3d3182c411.jpg?v=1790206629","url":"https:\/\/bobandben.co.nz\/products\/vetpro-acid-protect","provider":"Bob \u0026 Ben The Pet Supplies Men","version":"1.0","type":"link"}