Story and Photos by Nancy Hartney

… And In December, The Days Grow Short: The Senior Horse

Here’s something to think about. Middle age for humans begins about 45. Middle age for your horse begins at around 15 and moves toward senior status with a life expectancy of 30 or more years -- equivalent to age 90 in a human. The prime years of a favorite horse drift away and the inevitable signposts of aging began appearing. Most often noticed is weight loss with a somewhat swayed back, reduced muscle around the withers and haunches, and a slightly unkempt or dull coat. These clues coupled with lower energy, graying on the muzzle, and sunken areas above the eye-sockets signal senior status.
Caring for the aged equine may take a bit more time and effort but the older horse still has contributions to make. Who can provide dependability and help build confidence in youngsters just learning to ride better than a trusted older friend? Who has more patience and an unflappable nature than a double-digit horse to bring along a beginning adult rider?
Home James at 23 is a "packer" and a "teacher" says riding coach Diane Gooderl, Deer Creek Farm, Fayetteville. "I can put a child just learning to ride on him" and not worry that he will buck or bolt. The kid has only to work on building riding skills and gaining confidence. Home James takes a little extra attention – moderate exercise, joint supplements, and senior feed - but it is well worth it. "There is a special place reserved in horse heaven for Home James," she said.
Older horses "make good school horses for beginning riders of ANY discipline" said Nancy Jack, UA Equine Program Director. "A calm safe horse to teach basics is a valuable asset. They can also be pony horses for training young stock."
The biggest single concern "when caring for the older horse is teeth," veterinarian Paul Turchi, Fayetteville, said. "Routine dental care, floating the teeth" is critical. As the horse ages the teeth wear down and can become loose, impacted or infected. In turn the ability to graze and properly chew feed decreases with subsequent reduced nutrition and roughage intake. Without proper mastication of food, the horse cannot digest or absorb nutrients, he commented.
In addition to regular dental care, it is important to " get a feed that is easier to chew and absorb" for the older horse, Turchi said. Some horses salivate less creating a potential for choking. A specialty formulated feed, usually an extruded or pre-cooked pellet is more digestible than whole grains, forage and pasture. These feeds are nutrient rich and balanced for senior dietary needs and can be fed with water as a mash for horses with severe dental problems, he added.
But don’t stop with just changing the diet of the horse. Be sure to check the feed bucket prior to each feeding for unfinished or dribbled feed. If the senior is pastured with several other horses, be watchful that the older fellow has good access to feed and water. As the horse ages, social standing in a herd falters and competition increases, often to the senior’s determent. The older horse may need a protected place for feeding and less competition for grazing and hay. Do not, however, completely isolate the older horse, as the company of fellow horses is critical for social needs.
Joint health becomes a growing concern as the horse ages. Minor arthritis or low-grade degenerative joint conditions often develop with the years and use. "Feeding chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine or methylsulfonyle methane (MSM) as a supplement provides raw building materials for normal joint health and can be helpful for the aging horse IF the horse still has joint cartilage," Turchi said. These products need to be pure, about 95 percent. They are not miracle supplements but they can slow a degenerative condition and therefore prolong the usefulness and comfort of the horse. "Don’t expect them to cure a horse overnight of bad joints, " Turchi continued. If the horse does not have cartilage then feeding supplements is of little value.
Exercise contributes to over-all joint health and muscle tone while helping keep the senior tuned-up mentally and physically. Exercise also aids with circulation and distributing nutrients to the muscles. Continued work can be in the form of short trail rides, lessons in a ring for beginning equestrians, being ponyed without a rider or acting as a pony horse for young horses in training.
Sun and UV exposure should be limited. If it is not possible to keep the older horse stalled from mid-morning to mid-afternoon when heat and UV exposure are at their fiercest, then be sure there is good access to shade. Using a fly mask or UV labeled flysheet can provide protection from the sun without great expense or change in schedule. The fly mask also provides protection against biting insects and flies that irritate the horse’s face and eyes, both of which can often lead to more serious problems. By putting a salt lick and even water in a shed or under trees, the horse is encouraged to get out of the sun, especially during the summer.
Just as modern medicine and improved diets have lengthened the life span of humans, so can a little extra care keep the equine partner productive, comfortable and healthy into the later years.

Tips in Caring for the Senior Horse

• Consider changing from whole grains to a specialty feed product manufactured for the older horse.
• Feel the horse’s ribs. There should be a quarter inch of fat and flesh between the skin and bone on the working horse and older, non-breeding horse.
• Be careful not to retire your older partner to inactivity or isolation. Provide mild exercise as an aid to circulation, distribution of nutrients and support for good joint health.
• Regular vet care, immunizations, worming and dental evaluation are a must. Foul breath is a sign of stomach, mouth or digestive problems.
• Use a fly mask even during the milder winter months to protect against UV damage to the eyes and irritation to the face and eyes from biting insects.
• Check the horse over daily for any unusual lumps, knots, discharge or reluctance to move. Consult with your veterinarian if the horse appears to be in discomfort.
• Changes in eating habits or manure can signal health problems or distress. Consult with your vet on possible causes and protocols.
• Remember, euthanasia can be one of the last kind acts provided to an old friend. After managing the details of what your horse eats, what activity he engages in, what tack he works under, and where he lives, a final decision to end life is logical and humane when health fails and life becomes painful.