There is no specific age when we see our horses transition from mature adults to geriatrics, and with the improvements in horse care we have seen over time, many of our equine companions are living longer and remaining active well into their twenties and thirties. Genetics and breed have a role in determining a horse’s life span, but the care we provide as they age can have a huge impact in the length – and quality – of their golden years. There are often additional concerns that come up surrounding supportive care for senior horses, especially during the winter months.
Teeth and diet
Horses have teeth that erupt continuously throughout their lives and are gradually worn away from inside the mouth. Most horses’ teeth are “expired” around the age of 20, meaning they have run out of tooth left to erupt. At this point, the tooth begins to lose its grinding ability as it becomes smoother. Sometimes the teeth become mobile and may even fall out. When our aged horses have expired teeth, it is important to provide regular oral exams and dentistry performed consistently to monitor for abnormalities. If there are loose, broken, or missing teeth, the horse may struggle to chew properly. We often recommend oral exams more frequently when we see teeth that are expiring, so that problems can be identified early and corrected before the horse starts having difficulty eating.
The condition of the teeth plays a big role in determining the best nutritional plan for the older horse, as expired teeth are not effective in properly grinding forage. When hay fibers are not broken down enough by chewing, they cannot be completely digested. As a result, the horse may lose weight or develop episodes of choke or diarrhea. All horses require a diet that is forage-based, so senior horses often have to transition from long-stemmed hay to more digestible forms of forage. This may mean adding hay pellets, chopped hay, or a complete feed to replace long-stemmed hay. Most of the commercially produced senior horse feeds are complete feeds, which mean they are forage-based and designed to provide all the necessary fiber that would normally come from hay. When our senior horses reach a point that their teeth are not functional, they can be maintained on a complete feed and have all their nutritional requirements met.
Even senior horses whose teeth have not yet expired may have dietary needs that are different from younger horses. Some horses seem to have reduced ability to digest protein as well as fiber as they age, so even if their teeth are in good condition, they may not be getting the nutrients they need without supplementation. We often find that senior horses benefit from added protein in their diet, especially if we start to see some muscle loss. Adding alfalfa (hay or pellets) can be a simple way of achieving this, or there are amino acid supplements that are designed to provide a source of highly digestible proteins without adding significant amounts of starch or sugar.
Many senior horses develop endocrine disorders that can make feeding them extra challenging. Horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), aka Cushing’s disease, or insulin dysregulation/metabolic syndrome can be sensitive to the sugar content of their feed. Their abnormal insulin response to feed puts these horses at higher risk of developing laminitis, so we have to be careful not to provide too much sugar, even when adding calories to try and gain weight. Most complete senior feeds are formulated with this in mind and are safe to feed horses even with special metabolic needs. Testing for these disorders so they can be managed appropriately is an important part of caring for the senior horse, because a bad bout of laminitis can be unrecoverable for many horses.
Navigating winter weather
Even with an appropriate diet, sometimes there are physical challenges that can make wintertime difficult for our senior horse companions. Many geriatric horses have arthritis or old soft tissue injuries that can impact their mobility, especially in colder weather. Deep snow or slippery ice and mud can pose a greater risk of injury for them than their younger counterparts. If they have to navigate these obstacles to reach food or water, they may not be willing or able to do so. Keeping a food and water source within easy reach is of even more importance during winter when weather creates extra obstacles. Sometimes even if the food or water is nearby, mobility issues can make it physically difficult for seniors to access it. Arthritis in the neck or front legs can make it harder for them to eat from the ground, so elevating a feed bucket can be a simple solution to helping them continue to be able to access the food they need. Medically, there are different mobility supplements that we can provide to try and support their ailments, and various exercises that can be done to maintain core strength and range of motion to help senior horses retain as much mobility as possible.
With less mobility and a retirement lifestyle, many senior horses have reduced muscle mass and may not have much body reserves to help keep them warm in colder weather. When they become chilled and start to shiver, these horses can burn off even more body fat trying to stay warm. The best way for any horse to maintain body warmth is to eat – the digestion of forage acts as a sort of internal furnace to provide a source of heat, so having a continuous source of forage to “burn” is ideal. Because, as we discussed earlier, senior horses may not be able to chew or digest traditional forage, they are more susceptible to the cold. They may need additional feed during the winter, and it is especially important to be sure that senior horses have a windproof shelter accessible. They may also need blanketing to stay warm when the weather is cold, wet, and/or windy.
Staying social
Horses as a species are social, and their need for interaction is part of ensuring their emotional well-being as they age. Most horses are happiest as part of a stable herd, where they have a comfortable dynamic and don’t have to fight for access to food or a changing of “pecking order.” Senior horses may be easily pushed aside by younger horses, which can be stressful and contribute to loss in condition. Some horses thrive in retirement when turned out to pasture, and some seem to do better in an environment with more activity and human interaction. Every horse is an individual, so we should listen to what they are telling us about their comfort and happiness.
Whether your horse is just starting to become a senior citizen, or is a mega-geriatric, there are things we can do to try and support their health to maintain the highest quality of life as long as possible. If you have concerns about your older horse, or questions about how to improve their care, call Equine Field Service for an appointment.