Stomach pain a potential cause of girthy horses?

For a long time now, I've been suggesting to every owner of a 'girthy' horse that they look into the possibility of stomach ulcers.  It feels like an uphill battle - it's not cheap to get your horse scoped (which is the best way of determining whether your horse has ulcers) and the treatment (gastroguard) is even more expensive, not all ulcers can be seen on scoping, and some vets seem reluctant to investigate for ulcers.  Today I've ordered some impartial information on ulcers that I'm hoping will give me more 'ammunition' in my quest to help more horses be more comfortable, and this email that I received today in response to my latest Brain or Pain newsletter has spurred me on yet again:

"Hi Sue,

Talking of horses being 'girthy', for many years Chloe was very sensitive and grooming her chest, tummy, doing up her girth would cause her to attack whatever was in front of her.  She would never snap at me - she is so generous.

I put her on brewer's yeast about ten months ago - and since about two months ago she has lost all her sensitivity. She is now happy to be groomed everywhere, girthing up doesn't cause any problems.  I reckon she had low-grade ulcers - despite having a high-fibre diet and lots of turn-out.  I think the brewer's yeast (being a pre-biotic) has helped, as has her new environment.  Both she and George are so much more relaxed now they have their own home and don't have to share with anyone else.

We do the best for our horses given our circumstances - but it seems that Chloe was quite stressed while at livery yards.  She is Alpha Mare, so I guess having to keep control of a herd took it's toll.

The girths we use do have a big effect, but also so does what we put in our horses' stomachs.  I wondered about a fairfax girth, but can't afford it, but then Chloe improved on her diet, so the girth can wait!

Best wishes

Angela