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Gastro Coat

Gastro-Coat

Natural Supplement for Stomach Irritation and Gastric Health

Gastric ulcers (EGUS), or even mild gastric irritation can make horses sensitive in the stomach, girthy, reluctant to go forward or a picky eater.  Gastric ulcers are a problem in 60-90% of horses in training and competition.

Kohnke’s Own Gastro-Coat is a natural, helpful supplement for gastric issues, with multiple actions in the stomach and small intestine to help horses feel more comfortable, improving digestive health and maintaining appetite.

Many vets prescribe omeprazole-based drugs when horses show symptoms of EGUS.  Gastro-Coat is highly complementary to EGUS medications with different but synergistic actions.  Gastro-Coat is also much more economical and can be used long-term without ill-effects.

Product Information
Gastric ulcers (EGUS), or even mild gastric irritation can make horses sensitive in the stomach, girthy, reluctant to go forward or a picky eater.  Gastric ulcers are a problem in 60-90% of horses in training and competition.

Kohnke’s Own Gastro-Coat is a natural, helpful supplement for gastric issues, with multiple actions in the stomach and small intestine to help horses feel more comfortable, improving digestive health and maintaining appetite.

Many vets prescribe omeprazole-based drugs when horses show symptoms of EGUS.  Gastro-Coat is highly complementary to EGUS medications with different but synergistic actions.  Gastro-Coat is also much more economical and can be used long-term without ill-effects.

Our Concept for Gastro-Coat

Developed by Dr. John Kohnke to target the underlying reasons why horses develop gastric irritation or gastric ulcers, Gastro-Coat is an innovate, effective multi-action supplement to help support gastric health and function.

Gastro-Coat is economical as a daily supplement for optimal gastric health in all horses.  Gastro-Coat’s natural ingredients help to optimise gastric health, chewing efficacy and digestive function in all horses.

Gastro-Coat is particularly beneficial to horses with gastric irritation issues, picky eating problems, stomach sensitivity or those on regular or long-term gastric ulcer treatment programs.

Our Concept for Gastro-Coat
Developed by Dr. John Kohnke to target the underlying reasons why horses develop gastric irritation or gastric ulcers, Gastro-Coat is an innovate, effective multi-action supplement to help support gastric health and function.

Gastro-Coat is economical as a daily supplement for optimal gastric health in all horses.  Gastro-Coat’s natural ingredients help to optimise gastric health, chewing efficacy and digestive function in all horses.

Gastro-Coat is particularly beneficial to horses with gastric irritation issues, picky eating problems, stomach sensitivity or those on regular or long-term gastric ulcer treatment programs.

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Gastro-Coat’s natural ingredients are beneficial to all horses!

Which Horses Benefit?
  • Horses suffering from EGUS (gastric ulcers) in combination with medications.
  • All horses to improve salivation, stomach acid balance and chewing efficiency.
  • Before travelling and during the journey on long-distance trips.
  • Horses training and competing in racing and equestrian sports to shield the stomach lining against acid ‘splash’.
  • Horses predisposed to stomach lining irritation, girthiness, reluctance to go forward, especially in canter, horses which are ‘sensitive to the leg’ when ridden.
  • Can be used long term without negative effects in horses with gastric sensitivity, or those likely to develop gastric ulcers, such as horses competing or racing regularly.
Major Ingredients
Gastro-Coat contains ingredients that naturally present in the diet of horses, but are destroyed by heat processing commonly used to make commercial prepared feed mixes.  These natural compounds may be low or inadequate in the modern diet of horses in training, racing or competition.

  • Natural mucilage compounds and phospholipids
  • Synergistic ingredients including yeast extracts
  • Does not contain soy, wheat products or fillers
  • Sticky powder with a palatable vanilla milk flavour
Supplementation Guidelines

Each level scoopful of Gastro-Coat provides 40 grams.

In the Feed: For picky or reluctant eaters, 80 grams of Gastro-Coat can be mixed into the regular feed to help improve appetite and support the health of the gastro-intestinal system.

In a Small Feed (most popular): Give 80 grams of Gastro-Coat in a small feed of preferably lucerne chaff 30 minutes before training, travelling or competition for girthy, sensitive or unwilling horses.

As an oil paste: Gastro-Coat can be given as an oil paste 5 -10 minutes before training or travelling for fussy horses or those reluctant to eat before or after working. Make the paste with 80 grams of Gastro-Coat and roughly 80 mls of vegetable oil or Kohnke’s Own Energy Gold oil for extra benefits.  It is recommended to paste Gastro-Coat with oil rather than water as the compounds in Gastro-Coat become activated with water (as similar to saliva) and become sticky in the oral syringe.

When to Give Gastro-Coat

Gastro-Coat is usually given daily as a 2-3 month course in one of 3 ways: in the feed, before work (recommended) or as a paste.  Afterwards, Gastro-Coat can be given 3-4 times per week on a long-term basis to maintain stomach comfort in sensitive horses or just prior to training.  Gastro-Coat can be given daily for high performance or racing horses predisposed to EGUS, as a helpful supplement in conjunction with veterinary medications.

Pack Sizes and Days Supply

1 kg pouch (Starter Pack, 12 days supply) available for $52.95 which is $4.24 cost per dose.

3 kg bucket (38 days supply) available for $99.95 which is $2.63 cost per dose.

6 kg bucket (75 days supply) available from your local stockist at RRP $179.00 which is $2.39 cost per dose.

10 kg bucket (125 days supply) available from your local stockist at RRP $285.50 which is $2.28 cost per dose.

20 kg bucket (250 days supply) available from your local stockist at RRP $524.95 which is $2.10 cost per dose.

** Days supply is calculated from the 80 gram dose which is suitable for horses (500 kg body weight) for daily supplementation. Prices are Recommended Retail Price (RRP) including GST (Australian Dollars). Prices may vary between different retailers.

Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my horse has ulcers or gastric irritation?
Gastric ulcers are a problem in 60-90% of performance  and racing horses, although even resting horses can experience uncomfortable gastric irritation.

Gastric ulcers (EGUS) or even mild gastric irritation can result in various behaviours and related symptoms.  Many horses are girthy, reluctant to go forward, unwilling to canter or tend to drop out of canter. Some owners report their horses are ‘sensitive to the leg’ when ridden.  Aggressive, avoidant or ‘naughty’ behaviour is often caused by stomach pain from gastric irritation, especially when horses are ‘touchy’ around the stomach, react with negativity to girthing, saddling up or brushing around the girth area.  Some horses may develop unwanted behaviours such as windsucking, crib-biting or eating soil.

Although veterinary diagnosis and a naso-gastric scope is needed to confirm the presence of gastric ulcers, many horse owners find that 7-10 days of Gastro-Coat can quickly help to reduce these behaviours and is a useful indication that stomach acid irritation may be the cause of the problem.

Is Gastro-Coat beneficial to horses even if they don’t have gut issues?
Gastro-Coat can help regulate chewing speed to properly kickstart digestive processes, especially if horses ‘bolt their feed’.  Horses with a lack of pasture access, or those which are fed twice a day with a long period without feed during the day or night, also benefit from Gastro-Coat in their feed to maintain stomach comfort and natural gastric lining protection and acid buffering.

Horses that are anxious or stressed, especially those which ‘internalise’ their stress, may benefit from a course of Gastro-Coat in conjunction with Kohnke’s Own Mag-E.  Windsuckers and crib-biters may also benefit from Gastro-Coat in conjunction with preventative measures for these stereotypic behaviours.

Is it mostly racehorses that are prone to ulcers?
All racing, pacing and moderate to high performance equestrian horses can benefit from a daily supplement of Gastro-Coat, especially those which perform collected canter, a lot of jumping, galloping, pacing or other movements which can cause stomach acid ‘splash’.

Horses may benefit from a 2-3 month course of Gastro-Coat if they have been previously competing at racing, pacing or high performance sports may have a history of gastric ulcers, even if they have been spelled before retraining.

How does Gastro-Coat work?
Gastro-Coat has 3 main actions in the stomach and small intestine of horses.  The sticky consistency formed when Gastro-Coat comes into contact with moisture in the mouth encourages better chewing to enable effective salivation in horses.  Saliva helps to buffer stomach acid, stabilising the pH as a natural process.   More saliva means more mucin production for gastric lining protection and a naturally less acidic stomach environment.

Gastro-Coat is sticky and contains phospholipids which form a coating on the upper stomach lining, especially over degraded or irritated areas.  This allows a horse to feel more comfortable and reduces the discomfort associated with acid splash on the sensitive upper stomach and pyloric areas of the gastro-intestinal tract.  This natural coating lasts for up to 4 hours, so horses can be comfortably worked, travelled or fed during this period.

Gastro-Coat also contains nucleotides and other nutrients which help the cells of the stomach and small intestine to efficiently repair and regenerate the damaged or irritated stomach lining.  This is a natural process but it is carried out faster and more effectively when provided with the nutrients in Gastro-Coat.

Do I need to feed Gastro-Coat every day?
Best results are achieved in an initial 4-8 week course of Gastro-Coat given as a daily supplement at the full supplementary rate.

After this period, most horses may be maintained on the full dose of Gastro-Coat but given only  3-4 times per week, especially before training.  However, Gastro-Coat does not contain any substances which would build-up or cause ill-effects if given as an ongoing every day supplement.

Gastro-Coat is also highly beneficial when given prior to travelling, especially for sensitive horses which often arrive stressed, upset and irritable, unwilling to eat or drink, or girthy and unable to perform well.

What is the best way to give Gastro-Coat?
There are 3 main ways to give Gastro-Coat.  As a daily dose mixed into the feed is preferred for picky or reluctant eaters, or as a supportive supplement for maintaining general gastric health and function, or complementary to omeprazole veterinary medications.

Most horse owners will find that giving Gastro-Coat before ridden work, when behaviours associated with gastric irritation, such as girthiness, are most apparent.  Gastro-Coat can be given mixed into a small feed of lucerne chaff (1 Litre of chaff per 100 kg body weight) approximately 30 minutes before exercise.  This small ‘snack’ feed of Gastro-Coat is also beneficial before travelling.  Alternatively, Gastro-Coat can also be given as an oral paste, made with vegetable oil, within 5-10 minutes prior ridden work or travelling.

Can Gastro-Coat be given more than once a day?
It is not normally necessary to give Gastro-Coat more than once daily to ensure the full benefits of the supplement are achieved.

However, for horses which are travelling long distances, Gastro-Coat can be given multiple times during the trip (suggested every 4-6 hours), to ensure gastric comfort is maintained during travelling.

Gastro-Coat does not contain any substances which would build-up or cause ill-effects if given repeatedly or over a long term period.

Can Gastro-Coat be used as a preventative against ulcers?
Gastro-Coat contains multiple ingredients that have been shown to help normalise the stomach environment, limit acid damage to the stomach lining and overall, help reduce the risk of gastric irritation which often leads to gastric ulcers.  These natural ingredients are beneficial to all horses, but particularly to horses with stomach sensitivity, predisposition to gastric acid ‘splash’ or burn, or those which are travelling and training regularly.  Gastro-Coat is an economical and effective natural supplement which can be given daily to help maintain optimum gastric health and wellbeing.
Can Gastro-Coat help heal ulcers?
Gastro-Coat is a natural supportive supplement for gastro-intestinal health.  It is not a medication, but it is beneficial in maintaining stomach health and helping to reduce the possible discomfort from acid ‘splash’ to the sensitive stomach areas when a horse is in training or competition.

Gastro-Coat is particularly helpful for horses on veterinary prescribed gastric ulcer medication to complement the treatment by helping to improve overall digestive function.

Is Gastro-Coat compatible with other ulcer treatments?
Many vets will prescribe omeprazole-based drugs when horses show symptoms of EGUS or have been diagnosed with gastric ulcers.  Gastro-Coat is highly complementary to EGUS medications with different but with synergistic actions.  Many horse owners find that their horses with severe gastric ulcers (Grade 3 or 4) respond very well to omeprazole medications in combination with daily Gastro-Coat supplementation.

Gastro-Coat is also much more economical than omeprazole treatments and can be used long-term without ill-effects.  Dr. John Kohnke often finds that horse owners can slowly reduce omeprazole treatments in a step-wise manner whilst maintaining Gastro-Coat supplementation to support ongoing gastric comfort.

How is Gastro-Coat different to Kohnke’s Own FABBY?

Kohnke’s Own FABBY is a highly concentrated multi-action digestive supplement containing probiotics, prebiotics and additional specific nutrients which help optimise the gut microbiome and thus digestive efficiency of the entire gastro-intestinal system, particularly the hindgut, in all horses.  The hindgut is an area of significant recent research and new scientific knowledge of its importance to equine health and digestive function. 

FABBY and Gastro-Coat are highly compatible in horses with very significant gastro-intestinal problems or those which are suspected to have hindgut issues, such as acidosis or hindgut ulcers, as well as gastric irritation or stomach ulcers. Gastro-Coat and FABBY work in different areas of the digestive system, so can be fed each day to highly sensitive or digestively challenged horses.

FABBY and Gastro-Coat are also fed in different ways and times – FABBY is perfect as a supplement in the horses’ normal feed daily, whereas Gastro-Coat is often given as a pre-exercise supplement before ridden work or travelling, in a small feed or an oil paste.  This is when the specific benefits of Gastro-Coat are most applicable.

How quickly should I see an improvement in my horse on Gastro-Coat?
Gastro-Coat is a natural, helpful supplement for gastric issues, with multiple actions in the stomach and small intestine to help horses feel more comfortable and perform with willingness.  Gastro-Coat also helps maintain appetite and girthiness is often noticeably reduced in just 5-7 days.

Most horse owners observe that their horses have significant improvements in behaviour, temperament, training and general health within 1 month after starting daily Gastro-Coat supplementation.  We suggest that Gastro-Coat be given for 1-3 months to ensure the full benefits of the supplement are achieved.

Can Gastro-Coat be given for a prolonged period?
Gastro-Coat contains natural feed compounds often lacking in hard feed diets, especially containing processed grains.  Gastro-Coat can be given as a long term supportive daily supplement to horses which are sensitive, girthy or have stomach issues that are likely to develop into more severe gastric problems if unmanaged.  Often these horses have a predisposition to gastric ulcers or are sensitive to stomach pain from acid splash when training or travelling.  Gastro-Coat contains only natural beneficial ingredients which do not build up or cause overload, so it can be given long term without ill effects.
How does Gastro-Coat help horses travelling long distances?
Horses which are travelling regularly, especially for a long distance or do not travel well, can be given a pre-travelling supplement of Gastro-Coat to ensure they arrive fresh and ready to eat and drink at competitions.  For long distance travel, Gastro-Coat can be given every 4-6 hours to help horses feel more comfortable during transport.  As Gastro-Coat contains only natural beneficial ingredients which do not build up or cause overload, it is able to be given 3-4 times a day if necessary during long distance travel or before competition.
Will Gastro-Coat be beneficial even if my horse does not have ulcers?
Gastro-Coat is specially formulated to help the stomach and small intestine in horses, which is often compromised by modern feeding methods, such as commercial, extruded or cooked sweetened feeds and molasses meals, lack of pasture access and reduced ability to graze constantly.

Gastro-Coat contains concentrated sources of important mucilage and phospholipid compounds which are present in the natural equine diet.  However, when grains are cooked, extruded or micronized to form commercial, ready-mixed steam-pelleted feeds or mueslis, these beneficial compounds are destroyed.  Gastro-Coat is highly recommended to add to cooked or commercial grain feeds in order to maintain naturally healthy gastric function.

Does Gastro-Coat swab?
No, Gastro-Coat does not swab.  Gastro-Coat does not contain any banned substances or contravene the Rules of Racing or FEI Competition, but rules prohibiting the use of pre-race supplements should be followed if required by local racing or competition authorities.
Gastro-Coat has vanilla flavouring, is it still safe to feed to my laminitic or sugar sensitive horse?
Yes, Gastro-Coat has been successfully used with many laminitic or sugar sensitive horses without problems for years!  In fact, we often find that horses with restricted diets, due to their ‘good doer’ status, benefit from the daily addition of Gastro-Coat to their feed to help maintain stomach comfort and good gastric health especially on calorie reduced feeds.
Can Gastro-Coat be used in foals?
Foals which are stressed can become very susceptible to gastric ulcers, for example due to lack of milk for more than 4 hours, loss of their mother or pain from injury.  This can severely compromise their health and wellbeing.  Gastro-Coat is a helpful natural supplement which can be given to foals as an oral paste just prior to providing milk or a small hard feed, to maintain gastric health and stomach comfort.  Gastro-Coat is particularly recommended for orphan foals to ensure good gastric health for optimum wellbeing.
Testimonial for Gastro-Coat
“My thoroughbred gelding Frank had become cranky and girthy and felt like he was uncomfortable when ridden. After talking with the team at Kohnke’s Own, I started Frank on Gastro-Coat and within a few short weeks he has improved considerably, he is no longer girthy and is much happier to be handled and ridden.”

Caterina H, NSW

Testimonial Caterina H, NSW
“My thoroughbred gelding Frank had become cranky and girthy and felt like he was uncomfortable when ridden. After talking with the team at Kohnke’s Own, I started Frank on Gastro-Coat and within a few short weeks he has improved considerably, he is no longer girthy and is much happier to be handled and ridden.” Caterina H, NSW

Testimonial for Gastro-Coat
“Izzie is my 12 year old Australian Stock Horse mare. I bought her as a green 9yo around three and a half years ago. As I began working and competing her more she began to get a little grumpy and act really out of character. We discovered it was stomachulcers! Kohnke’s Own Gastro-Coat has really helped up to maintain her gastrointestinal health, it is now a staple in her diet and we wouldn’t take her off it! She is just so happy and performs really well while being fed the supplement.” Morgan L, VIC  

Testimonial Morgan L, VIC
“Izzie is my 12 year old Australian Stock Horse mare. I bought her as a green 9yo around three and a half years ago. As I began working and competing her more she began to get a little grumpy and act really out of character. We discovered it was stomachulcers! Kohnke’s Own Gastro-Coat has really helped up to maintain her gastrointestinal health, it is now a staple in her diet and we wouldn’t take her off it! She is just so happy and performs really well while being fed the supplement.” Morgan L, VIC

Testimonial for Gastro-Coat
“When I first rescued Bentley he was in poor condition, you could clearly see all of his ribs. I found it hard to put weight on him, then I tried Kohnke’s Gastro-Coat. After two weeks of Gastro-Coat Bentleys condition started to improve and now he is looking better than ever. I have recommended this product to so many other equestrians out there because you can really see the difference it makes!” Priya W,  WA

Testimonial Priya W, WA
“When I first rescued Bentley he was in poor condition, you could clearly see all of his ribs. I found it hard to put weight on him, then I tried Kohnke’s Gastro-Coat. After two weeks of Gastro-Coat Bentleys condition started to improve and now he is looking better than ever. I have recommended this product to so many other equestrians out there because you can really see the difference it makes!” Priya W,  WA

Testimonial for Gastro-Coat
I just wanted to say that Gastro-Coat has completely changed my pony! In 12 months of trying all different feeds, calming stuff, taking her out much as possible… she would still get super stressed and have the runs soon as loaded onto a float and would continue to have runny manure, to the point of water the entire weekend if at a competition. Meaning several tail bag changes and soaking her tail and false tail over and over!

I put her on Gastro-Coat 2.5 weeks ago and within a week we no longer had the same pony! She travelled from Cranbourne to Bendigo last weekend (her longest trip yet) and did not poo once! Her manure was well formed and looked healthy all weekend. She was happy calm and continued to eat and drink as normal!

I cannot recommend this product enough!” Brittany J. VIC  

Testimonial Brittany J. VIC
I just wanted to say that Gastro-Coat has completely changed my pony! In 12 months of trying all different feeds, calming stuff, taking her out much as possible… she would still get super stressed and have the runs soon as loaded onto a float and would continue to have runny manure, to the point of water the entire weekend if at a competition. Meaning several tail bag changes and soaking her tail and false tail over and over!

I put her on Gastro-Coat 2.5 weeks ago and within a week we no longer had the same pony! She travelled from Cranbourne to Bendigo last weekend (her longest trip yet) and did not poo once! Her manure was well formed and looked healthy all weekend. She was happy calm and continued to eat and drink as normal!

I cannot recommend this product enough!” Brittany J. VIC  

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