The Gastric Acid Balancing Act

Horses evolved to consume small amounts of forage up to 20 hours per day. Because they constantly produce gastric acid, their stomachs need to be full or at risk for developing ulcers and other gastric problems. Horses are at higher risk of developing stomach pain when they are traveling, training, competing, or otherwise away from forage for extended periods of time that usually correspond with additional stress.

Elizabeth Ehrlich, the founder of Equine Elixirs, explains that “You don’t want to permanently eliminate gastric acid because horses need it to digest and absorb nutrients from their food. You want to neutralize acid for short periods of time so it doesn’t burn or upset their stomach when they are most at risk.”

The mission was to create gummies that would temporarily buffer gastric acid during these intervals as an effective and healthy way to address the problem.

How do Tummy Gummies buffer acid?

Much like people can have a sour stomach or feel the effects of acid reflux, horses are also sensitive to the large volume of gastric acid that their bodies constantly produce. Tummy Gummies are made with calcium carbonate and magnesium oxide, which begin buffering acid on contact. This helps raise the pH of the acid in the stomach to temporarily alleviate its corrosive nature during those times that horses are unable to eat, are traveling, competing, or in other stressful situations.

Normal antacids can be inconvenient and difficult to feed because they are scheduled around meal times, and are often found at the bottom of the bucket having been skilfully avoided. Not only are Tummy Gummies the perfect ringside companion (they can be fed from the bottle or put in your pocket), but they make delicious and healthy treats that can be fed anytime and anywhere.

Read the full editorial in the December 2021 Issue of The Plaid Horse.

Learn more about Tummy Gummies here.