How to Extend the Life of Your Senior Horse

We live in a remarkable age of medical progress that generally allows humans to live longer and more active lives than ever before. Likewise, those advances have translated to extended life expectancy for our horses and ponies.

Quality nourishment, clean water, joint compounds and supplements are primary components in your horse's overall good condition. Also, appropriate veterinary, routine farrier and proper dental care have greatly increased projected equine life expectancy.

Give your aging horse that extra attention and he may, predictably, enjoy a longer productive life.

The Old Gray Mare™ offers several suggestions:

Nutrition - Offer your older horse grain that has been specially formulated for aging horses. Most feed companies have representatives that are available for consultation - discuss your horse's individual requirements and make a wise, knowledgeable decision.

Consider these and other questions during your consultations.

Has he ever experienced bouts of colic? - Can he eat hay? - Are you able to provide high quality hay (Be cautious about too much alfalfa content in hay)? - Is his daily grain ration a total feed (no extra hay)? How will you handle boredom? - Will he be exercised or ridden or used on trail rides? - Will he become a lesson horse? - Will he be retired and become a pasture companion? - etc.

Hay - Give your horse plenty of fiber from good quality hay if he is able to chew and digest it. Timothy hay with little or no alfalfa content is probably your best choice. Be sure it is properly dried and as dust free as possible.

Water - Provide a clean water source at all times. Change buckets and water daily, preferably twice a day. If your horse has free access to a natural water source from a pond, be sure his access is unencumbered and the water is pure. In weather climates where water freezes, provide a water heater to be sure your horse gets his normal water supply.

Worming - Keep up with your horse's worming schedule throughout his lifetime. If you notice some weight loss or coat scruffiness, review his worming schedule.

Joint Supplements - Help your senior horse maintain good joint, bone and hoof condition. Assure that your horse has freedom to move around and remain active. If he can walk and enjoy movement fluidity, he will be comfortable and more unstressed. Consult with your veterinarian about giving your horse Glucosamine and/or Chondroitin. Both are readily available supplements that are proven and helpful; their effectiveness generally takes from three to four weeks to show definitive results.

Vet Checkups, Injections and Vaccinations - Provide yearly veterinarian checkups and administer all appropriate vaccinations recommended for your geographic location. Follow his advice scrupulously.

Dental Checkups - Provide regular dental checkups for your senior horse by a veterinarian or a equine dental specialist. Float his teeth based on the equine dentist's recommendation. The older horse may develop "points" on molars that rub against tongue or gums. Possibly he has lost one or more of his teeth. If he tilts his head or spills food when he chews, he is avoiding such a point. If his droppings include recognizable food, grass or hay, dental problems are likely the cause.

Exercise - Be sure to keep your older horse active and prevent boredom. Offer turnout in pasture or exercise ring and permit him as much liberty as possible. If you no longer ride your horse, perhaps you can long line or lunge him at a walk and slow trot. Any form of motion maintains flexible joints, works his brain, circulates his blood system, aids digestion and makes for a happier horse.

Ride your older horse as long as you can for his enjoyment and yours. Of course, hard riding, cantering/loping or taxing workouts must be avoided with a senior horse. Blow your horse out, keep him warm, and provide a brisk rubdown after the ride.

Companion Horses - Avoid stressing the old horse by running him with horse bullies. Horses are often antagonistic to each other with grain, hay or even a favorite pasture spot. Protect him from horses that "gang" together.

Temperatures - Protect your senior from direct sun or harsh cold or hot weather conditions. High wind gusts and biting pests are also frequent nuisances. Your trusted older horse should not get cold and wet because this can be a dangerous combination for some aged horses. Just like humans, a cold, wet horse will shiver and get very uncomfortable. Best practice is to provide at least a 3-sided shed, or stable your horse during inclement weather conditions. Add a warm blanket as the need arises.

Blacksmith - Trim your old horse's hooves regularly. Keeping his hooves in well-cared condition is an excellent step toward keeping his mobility.

Your horse has served you well. Grant him peace, tranquility and loving attention for the rest of his life. Provide the best care for your old friend.

This article is written by The Old Gray Mare™ of DressYourHorse.com™ and FantasyKritters.com™.