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  • Home
  • About
  • Services
    • Appointments
  • Health Tips
    • Pigeon Fever Article
    • Deworming Article
    • Caring for Adult Equine
    • Equine Flu
    • Pro-Stride
    • Vaccine
    • AAEP Publication Articles >
      • Choosing the best hay for your horse
      • Fighting Fungus Invested Fescue
      • Preventing Colic
      • Reducing your Horse's West Nile Risk
      • Weight Reduction in Overweight Horses
      • Caring for the Older Horse
      • Be Prepared for an Equine Emergency
      • Don't Skip the Purchase Exam
      • Help your Foal Grow with Proper Nutrition
      • Help your Mare have a Safe Delivery
      • Learn to Recognize the Signs of Laminitis
      • Learn to Recognize your Horse's Dental Problems
      • Learn to Recognize the symptoms of EPM
      • Protect your Horse from EIA
      • Understanding Horse Insurance Responsibilities
  • Payment
  • News
  • Our Cases
  • Resources
  • Contact
    • Account Update
    • Survey

10 Tips for Caring for the Older Horse

Because of advances in nutrition, management and health care, horses are living longer, more useful lives. It’s not uncommon to find horses and ponies living well into their 20s and 30s. While genetics play a role in determining life span, you too, can have an impact. 

You may think that turning your old-timer out to pasture is the kindest form of retirement. But horses are individuals. Some enjoy being idle; others prefer to be a part of the action. Whatever you do, don’t ignore the horse. Proper nutrition, care and exercise will help the animal thrive. Follow these guidelines to develop a total management plan for your older horse:

1. Observe your horse on a regular basis. Watch for changes in body condition, behavior and attitude. Address problems, even seemingly minor ones, right away.

2. Feed a high quality diet. Avoid dusty and moldy feeds.

3. Feed your older horse away from younger, more aggressive ones so it won’t have to compete for feed.

4. Feed at more frequent intervals so as not to upset the digestive system. Two-three times daily is best.

5. Provide plenty of fresh, clean, tepid water. Excessively cold water reduces consumption which can lead to colic and other problems. 

6. Adjust and balance rations to maintain proper body conditions. A good rule of thumb is to be able to feel the ribs but not see them.

7. Provide adequate, appropriate exercise to maintain muscle tone, flexibility and mobility.

8. Groom your horse frequently to promote circulation and skin health.

9. Be aware that older horses are prone to tumors. Look for any unusual lumps or growths from head to tail as well as beneath the tail (especially on gray horses).

10. Schedule routine checkups with your equine veterinarian. Call immediately if you suspect a problem.

A quick response to ailments, injuries or a decline in fitness can keep your older horse from having a serious or prolonged setback. That means less worry for you and a better quality of life for your old friend. For more information about caring for the older horse, ask your equine veterinarian for the “Older Horse” brochure, provided by the American Association of Equine Practitioners in partnership with Educational Partners Bayer Animal Health and Purina Mills, Inc. 

Reprinted with permission from the American Association of Equine Practitioners.



Bayhill Equine
Sports Medicine & General Practice

123 Belmont Avenue
Redwood City, CA 94061
Phone: (650) 851-2300 
Fax: (650) 367-7760 

info@BayhillEquine.com

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