Senior Horse Care

An older horse may need more frequent dental care. Your equine dentist may need to float your horse's teeth more frequently so she can easily chew her food. But even with good dental care, your horse may have trouble eating. If you notice that she's leaving food behind, consult your veterinarian for nutritional advice. Nutritional supplements formulated for older horses may help your horse through the normal physical, hormonal and metabolic challenges of aging.

Older horses don't have as much fat around their bones as younger horses and can get chilled more easily. Consider blanketing your older horse during cold weather. Learn how to get a good horse blanket fit here. Also be aware that she may not regulate heat as well as she used to, so care should be taken during hot weather.

Just like people, horses need to stay active in order to stay healthy. Exercise keeps us all young! Keep your horse active and engaged.

Keep up a regular grooming regimen and don't neglect a Daily horse checkup. Her feet will still need to be trimmed regularly. Pick her feet and check for bruises. Brush her regularly and keep an eye out for any unusual lumps.

A regular deworming and vaccination schedule is vital for an older horse. Horse parasites and diseases can affect an older horse more quickly than a young one, and recovery can be slower and more difficult.

Holding up that big body for 15 or 20 years can make the joints a little arthritic. There are a lot of supplements available for increasing mobility and managing pain. Talk to your vet before starting any new supplement.

Keep your older horse healthy and active into her senior years and you'll both benefit from the experience.

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