Name your top 3 tips for safeguarding the health of an older horse.

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Permalink Reply by Pam Bacon on October 11, 2010 at 2:29pm

Keep them working as long as possible, even if it's 20 minutes two to three times a week. Most horses like to have a job so they are happier. And it keeps them limber and prevents them from losing all their muscle tone.

I monitor mine very closely. Adjust feed as necessary. Remember that minor issues for a young horse can be, or quickly become, big issues for an older horse.

Mine are both stall boarded with daily turnout. My 24 year old mare would love to be in a stall 23 hours a day so to leave her out all the time would be a major punishment for her. My adopted gelding (somewhere between mid 20's and early 30's) likes to go out and play with his guy buddies. But I think they need some stall time if they are in a group situation to relax and rest. Especially if they are bullied or just trying to keep up with the young guys.

You have to feed the horse what its body needs. Some could get by on hay and a vitamin-mineral supplement but others need more. You have to know and monitor your horse. My horses see the vet at least twice a year routinely, the equine dentist at least once a year and the farrier every eight to ten weeks.

I feed a joint/soft tissue repair supplement and an immune system supplement.

My mare is still going strong (knock wood) and ridden regularly. I clip as needed to keep her from getting wet and chilled and sheet/blanket accordingly. The older gelding has a turnout sheet to keep him dry as well as to keep him from expending too many calories keeping warm. There's a blanket on standby for him just in case it gets really cold.

Permalink Reply by Marlene Thoms on October 11, 2010 at 9:04pm

I look after a 28 year old mare for someone else (as a barn mate for my younger gelding). She is otherwise healthy but eats more slowly than a younger horse, so maintaining caloric intake in winter could be a challenge. She gets 12-24 hourse turnout on fairly level ground in a rich grass/alfalfa pasture ( met with vet's approval) with a solid run in shelter. I always provide hay besides, in her shelter if it rains and she wants to stay in, and this winter will feed a supplement as her owner wishes. She has a wonderful coat which is quickly getting thicker now, but we use a rain coat in wet/ windy weather and may have to consider something warmer if she loses condition later in the winter.It has been a challenge to look after an easy keeper and a hard keeper together, but it just takes a little more attention to their needs. The easy keeper is actually trickier to look after than the old mare, but I worry more about her.

Permalink Reply by 4XChestnut on October 11, 2010 at 9:44pm

My old man was on 24 hour turnout for much of his life. In the years I had him he developed arthritic bone spurs in the joints of his forelegs and living out 24/7 was fantastic for him. The ability to move around whenever the horse wanted or needed to helps a lot. I could tell at 2pm the next day if he'd been in overnight the previous night (rare, but happened the odd time). I will say that I boarded him at a facility with an incredible shelter (never seen better) and that no doubt helped too. Regular light exercise makes a big difference to keeping the arthritic guys comfortable - adjusted to whatever the horse is comfortable doing on any given day. He passed on before joint supplement were commonly available. Annual vet visit, floated every other year (checked every year though).

My QH also lived out 24/7, had regular exercise, joint supplement geared to his specific issue, and we did move him to a less rowdy herd when he started getting picked on by the young guys too much (he was never dominant, but didn't take any crap from the young playful crew until near the end). He needed floating every year, but then he ate a lot more grain too. I did blanket him because we'd long since moved away from the barn with the awesome shelter.

Permalink Reply by Marlene Thoms on October 11, 2010 at 9:49pm

If anyone has specific recommendations for arthritic supplesments, I know my mare's owner is interested. We have heard about apple cider vinegar but I don't know if it helps or what might be best. She is more spry since coming to my pasture, and does pretty well considering. She won't allow anyone to ride her apparently, but she circulates a lot on the pasture. I think she's earned her retirement at age 28.

Permalink Reply by Lisa Siderman on October 12, 2010 at 12:37am

I have 27 and 28yo Arabian mares. I keep an eye on their weight and add omega oils and a bucket of senior feed to keep calories up with plenty of free choice hay/alfalfa all day. They also are on turnout all day, preferably on hillsides to keep muscles toned. An eye on teeth and whether they are able to fully chew the hay/alfalfa. No grain and no shoes. The 27yo is arthritic so she only carries the young kids around the arena but the 28yo is a powerhouse, cantering around the arena with the kids' father! All my horses get Platinum plus, and garlic.

Permalink Reply by Cindy Jeffery on October 18, 2010 at 2:03am

24 hour turnout, free choice water and salt, good quality hay, teeth floated regularly, feet trimmed regularly, Lifeline Phase 5 as needed, Recovery as needed, lots of company any critter will do including humans :p