Senior Horse Sense
“Smart Choices for Your Older Equine”
Your horse has been your friend for many years. He has carried you on adventures, made you laugh and provided you with countless cherished memories. Though he is still the same horse you have known, the level of care needed to keep him healthy and active as he ages, may need to change. A horse is generally considered “senior” when he begins to reach the age of 20 years. Three horse years are roughly equal to one human year; therefore a 20-year-old horse is comparable to a 60-year-old person. Like a person, as the horse ages he may require special nutritional care, dental care and preventative measures to keep his joints healthy. As the horse ages its digestive efficiency begins to decrease. This means that absorption of necessary vitamins and minerals and the metabolization of nutrients become more difficult. Decreased absorption can lead to breakdown of muscle mass and a weakened immune system, making your horse more susceptible to infections or diseases. Fortunately, there is much an owner can do to counteract their horse’s aging process through nutritional support. Research suggests that an older horse’s digestive tract functions at about 25%-50% below optimal level. This means the older horse will have more difficulty digesting fiber which is essential to preventing impaction (which can cause colic) and promoting an overall healthy gut. Owners can help their senior horse by providing fiber that is easier to digest. This can be provided in several forms. A complete senior feed is always a great choice. Senior feeds are usually “complete” meaning that they provide all the benefits of a concentrate, hay, and easily digestible fiber in a pelleted form. Owners may also want to consider adding in either soaked hay cubes or beet pulp to a senior feed for extra fiber. Sometimes it is also helpful to top feed with corn oil. Corn oil will provide extra fat and energy for you senior horse as well as promote a shiny coat. Taking extra measures like these in your horse’s diet as they age can significantly improve their quality of life. Dental Care is another area of prime importance for the senior horse. While all horses need dental care and a periodic “float,” senior horses may need to be observed more carefully. Sharp points in molars and loss of teeth are more frequent in older equines. An easy way to evaluate your horse’s teeth is to simply watch him eat. If a horse drops a lot of feed on the ground, tilts his head to chew, or otherwise appears to have difficulty chewing then it is time to get the vet out to check his teeth. If a horse can’t properly chew his feed he will not properly digest it. Another good indicator of your horses chewing ability is to check his manure.
Additional Great Links For Health
