Need To Know Facts About
Senior Horse Care

Senior horse care can take a big commitment on your part. However, just because a horse is a little over the hill, doesn’t mean he is ready to become a pasture ornament.

Horses are living much longer these days, because of the advances in horse health care and quality horse feeds. With proper care, you can extend your horse’s productive life.

A senior horse is typically considered as one that is 20 years old or older. One year of a horses life is equivalent to three years of a humans life. This means that a 20 year old horse is equal to a 60 year old human. At this stage of their lives, things simply start to wear out. This is where senior horse care is very important.

Some of the things that should be paid close attention to are their teeth, eyes, joint, liver and kidneys. Equine arthritis, colic and weight loss are other common problems in older horses.

Use these senior horse care tips to keep your horse in good condition.

As a horse ages, so does his digestive system. They are not able to absorb the nutrients as well as when they were young. Fortunately, today there are a number of good horse feeds designed specifically for older horse care.

If your vet says it’s ok, there is no reason why your horse shouldn’t be useful. He may not be able to run races anymore, but light exercise would help him to stay active.

Keeping an older horse in a stall is not recommended. Ideally, constant turnout would be best. This will help ward off such things as arthritis, obesity and respiratory disease. There are many things to consider when dealing with senior horse care.

Sometimes your eyes can deceive you, especially in winter months. With a thick winter coat, your horse may look fine, but problems can be hidden.

Rub your hands over your horse on a daily basis. Check for lumps, swelling, wounds, skin problems and hoof problems. You should also be able to feel if he is loosing weight. Always remember, in caring for senior horses, they don’t bounce back as quick as they used to, so spot potential problems early.

Your senior horse will still need regular farrier visits. If his feet are allowed to grow long, it may cause tripping, stumbling or even founder. Your farrier can also spot any potential problems before they arise.

Older horses should also have regular Vet exams. Your vet can check for things that you cant. Blood-work will show up any horse diseases, such as, Cushings disease, liver or kidney problems and anemia.

Senior horses may not be able to handle weather extremes the way they once could. They need shelter from the hot sun as well as extreme cold. It may be a good idea to blanket him in colder climates. But please remember to take the blanket off when it warms up during the day. I hate driving down the road and seeing horses standing out in the field with blankets on and it be 75 degrees.

Protecting them from biting flies and horseflies is also very important. Flies seem to migrate more toward older horses. Perhaps it’s because their blood is thinner and their skin is also thinner, making it easier for them to suck their blood.

In addition to protecting them from flies and weather, they should also be protected from other horses. Younger horses will sometimes push older horses away from their food or even attack them.

This horse has been a constant companion and has given you the best years of his life. He deserves to be spoiled a little in his elder years. Give him the best senior horse care that you possibly can. He will reward you with his loyalty and companionship for years to come. An occasional treat wouldn’t hurt either.