Gastric ulcers are one of the most common health challenges in performance horses today. Even when diet is carefully managed and stress is minimized, some horses seem to be naturally more ulcer-prone than others. Owners often ask us which GI support formula they should use, especially when their horse looks healthy on the outside, has good weight, no loose stools, but still shows subtle signs of digestive discomfort.
In these cases, it may feel natural to lean toward Relentless for prevention. Relentless is indeed a strong formula for maintaining gut health. But when it comes to ulcer-prone horses, we often recommend Redemption instead. Here’s why.
Ulcers: More Than Just a Feed Problem
Most owners know that diet plays a big role in ulcers. High-starch feeds, long periods without forage, and lack of turnout are all risk factors. So if your horse is already on a forage-based and anti-inflammatory diet and still struggles with ulcers, the question becomes: what else is driving the problem?
The answer often lies in individual tendencies:
Age – Young, developing horses or older horses may have weaker digestive function.
Experience – Horses in training, hauling, or competition face stressors that affect digestion.
These factors, while subtle, can tip the balance toward ulcers even when everything else seems “right.”
The TCM Perspective: The Role of Worry and the Spleen
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), each organ system is linked to an emotion. For the Spleen, that emotion is worry.
The Spleen’s job is to transform and transport food and fluids, essentially managing digestion and distributing nutrients. When the Spleen is strong, the body processes food smoothly, and energy is abundant. But when worry, stress, or overthinking weaken the Spleen, digestion slows or becomes unbalanced.
This imbalance can show up as:
- Faster emptying of the stomach, which leaves the stomach lining vulnerable to acid
- Increased internal heat, which aggravates sensitive tissues and contributes to ulcer formation
- A tendency toward tension and nervousness, creating a cycle of stress and digestive upset
In other words, even if your horse’s diet is excellent, the mind-body connection can still be driving ulcers.
Why Redemption Fits the Ulcer-Prone Horse
This is where Redemption comes in. Unlike a general maintenance formula, Redemption is designed to address both the digestive system and the emotional patterns that make certain horses more vulnerable.
Redemption works by:
Strengthening Spleen Qi – improving digestive transformation and absorption
Clearing GI heat – reducing inflammation
Relieving abdominal pain – supporting comfort during training, hauling, and competition
Calming the nervous system – helping “hot” or anxious horses relax, which protects the gut long-term
This makes Redemption especially well-suited for horses that seem ulcer-prone because of their temperament, lineage, or stress history, not just their diet.
Real-World Example
Imagine two horses:
Horse A: A quiet horse on a forage-based diet with steady turnout. They are healthy, relaxed, and show no history of ulcers. For this horse, Relentless is a great choice for maintenance and prevention.
Horse B: A horse that carries themselves with tension, tends to be anxious in new environments, and has had ulcers before despite careful management. Even at a healthy weight with no loose stools, there is still a risk for ulcers. For this horse, Redemption provides the extra layer of support they need.
Both horses may appear equally healthy at first glance, but their individual needs call for different formulas.
The Takeaway
Relentless is a powerful tool for ongoing digestive health and prevention in horses that don’t carry added risk factors. But if your horse is ulcer-prone due to age, history, or temperament, Redemption is often the better choice.
By strengthening the Spleen Qi, clearing GI heat, and calming the nervous system, Redemption goes deeper than surface-level prevention; it addresses the root imbalances that make some horses more vulnerable in the first place.
Supporting your horse’s digestive health isn’t just about what goes into their feed bucket. It’s about seeing the whole picture: body, mind, and even their natural tendencies. Choosing the right formula can make all the difference.
