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Helping the Old Horse Age Beautifully

Cinch Magazine, Margaret Dursby

As horses age, they become more prone to a variety of medical conditions, including a variety of geriatric troubles. This can include anything from poor dental health, poor appetite and decreased body condition to tumors and kidney dysfunctions. Although many believe that aged horses look bad because they are old, this is not necessarily true. Many times, there are hidden issues that need to be addressed.

Parasites are a particular threat to the older horse. A regular deworming schedule is paramount to equine health. However, recent research has shown that over-deworming your horse can do more harm than good. Ideally, you should deworm your horse three to four times a year. It is suggested to rotate the dewormer periodically. While some experts say to rotate it every deworming, many more suggest rotating it every few dewormings, so as not to develop resistance. 

Dental problems readily afflict the older horse as well. You can check if your horse has any dental irregularities by running your thumb over the teeth to the back of the mouth and over the horse’s molars. However, caution must be taken, as any sharp projections of overgrown teeth can rip ribbons of skin off your hand! It is advisable to obtain knowledgeable health before checking your horse’s teeth in this manner.

 Your horse’s teeth are constantly growing, and are worn down by regular grinding actions and chewing. However, unusual wear patterns can lacerate gums and make eating painful. This is a very common reason that older horses stop eating. The mastication of food is vital for proper digestion, allowing enzymes more surface area for breakdown. When your vet comes for an annual check-up, be sure he checks your horse’s teeth and floats them as required.

While your vet is out, consider having your horse checked for metabolic problems. Kidney and thyroid problems are, unfortunately, common occurrences in the aged horse. Horses troubled with metabolic issues may have unusual fatty deposits over their body, including excess covering of fat on the ribs and a cresty neck.

Older horses require careful feeding consideration. Ensure that the feed you select is compromised of good-quality fats and fibres with increased vitamins and minerals. The addition of vitamins helps with the metabolic processes, and is great for improving general health. As horses ages, they lose their ability to produce their own vitamin C. This makes supplementation necessary. While some feeds contain additional vitamin C, there is much debate as to whether it is enough, as vitamins diminish after prolonged storage. Talk to your veterinarian about adding vitamin C to your horse’s diet.

 If you have an old horse, it doesn’t have to mean that he has to look bad. You can maintain your aged horse’s health with a simple strategy of implementing a regular deworming program, checking for dental and metabolic problems, and ensuring that you’re feeding your horse what he needs. With the right program, your horse’s general condition should improve, giving you peace of mind and many more comfortable years together.