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Body Condition Scoring: Body Condition Index and Other Techniques

January 6, 2026

⎯ Sarah Nelson

Different ways of monitoring body weight as well as condition are described in this article. For example the new body condition index (BCI) might provide a better way to judge your horse’s fat for some...

How to Perform Daily Health Checks of Senior Horses

December 19, 2025

⎯ Alexandra Beckstett

Full body checks help ensure horses are in good condition and don’t have injuries or problems that require veterinary attention.

Understanding Aging Equines

November 18, 2025

⎯ Kimberly S. Brown

There are many things horse owners can learn that will help them keep their aging equines healthy and happy.

My Senior Horse Podcast: Annual Wellness Exam

November 17, 2025

⎯ Kimberly S. Brown

In this episide, Dr. Toby Pinn-Woodcock helps horse owners understand what to expect at their senior horse's annual wellness exam.

Inflamm-aging in Senior Horses

September 19, 2025

⎯ Kimberly S. Brown

Senior horses have low-grade systemic inflammation know as inflamm-aging. Researchers aimed to learn more about physiological changes associated with inflamm-aging in a recent study.

senior horse lying down physiologic changes

My Senior Horse Podcast: Physiologic Changes

September 15, 2025

⎯ Kimberly S. Brown

Dr. Chelsie Huseman helps us understand natural physiologic changes that occur as senior horses get older.

Defocus hand touching brown horse. A female hand stroking a brown horse. Tenderness and caring for animals concept. Psychotherapy, wellness, reiki

A Guide to Equine Body Condition Scoring

September 10, 2025

⎯ Sarah Nelson

Practical tips for using equine body condition scoring to assess your horse's external body fat.

Ethically Restricting Feed Intake for Horses

September 9, 2025

⎯ Liane Preshaw

There are many reasons an equid might need its feed intake restricted. Here are tips on restricting feed intake while still meeting the animal's behavioral needs.

Tips For Equine Weight Gain Through Increased Body Fat

August 10, 2025

⎯ Patricia A. Harris, MA, PhD, VetMB, DipECVCN, MRCVS

Check out these practical tips for senior horses that need to gain weight.

Insulin Dysregulation and Cresty Neck Score

July 20, 2025

⎯ My Senior Horse Editors

Insulin dysregulation—which is associated with equine laminitis—is best diagnosed with insulin testing.

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My Senior Horse Podcast: Weight Loss Part 3

June 29, 2025

⎯ Kimberly S. Brown

There are many health issues in senior equids that are the same, but how the animals respond to the problem can be different.

exercise general health senior breeding animals mare and foal

Exercise and General Health of Senior Breeding Equids Video

June 27, 2025

⎯ My Senior Horse Editors

Dr. Maria Schnobrich said sometimes increasing exercise is one of the best things we can do for reproductive health.

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My Senior Horse Podcast: Weight Loss Part 2

June 14, 2025

⎯ Kimberly S. Brown

Learn more about managing senior equids who struggle to maintain weight, whether they are pasture pets or competitors.

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My Senior Horse Podcast: Weight Loss Part 1

May 17, 2025

⎯ Kimberly S. Brown

Monitoring senior horse weight and muscle mass is important. There are many reasons a senior equid might lose weight.

Feeding the Donkey

December 25, 2024

⎯ Faith Burden, BSc, PhD

The donkey can be a loving equid to own, but they are not just little horses. Learn about body condition and get feeding tips.

Donkey Body Condition Score

December 10, 2024

⎯ Faith Burden, BSc, PhD

Our friends at The Donkey Sanctuary help us understand the basics of body condition score for a donkey.

Tips on Helping Your Horse Gain Weight Video

December 1, 2024

⎯ My Senior Horse Editors

There are many reasons that your horse might need to gain weight. Here are some tips from Dr. Yvette Nout-Lomas.

muscle mass loss thin old gray horse in field

Equine Muscle Mass: Detecting and Monitoring Changes

November 15, 2024

⎯ Alisa Herbst, PhD

The muscle atrophy scoring system (MASS) was developed to detect reductions in muscle mass quickly and reliably.

My Senior Horse Podcast: PPID Part 2

October 15, 2024

⎯ Kimberly S. Brown

The daily management of horses with PPID might include nutrition, exercise, clipping, supplements, and observation.

Research on Ponies and Slow Feeders

October 7, 2024

⎯ Clara Bordin, MSc

Researchers in Italy looked at how to feed ponies to reduce wastage and improve slowing feed intake.

Treats for Overweight Horses

October 3, 2024

⎯ Nettie Liburt, MS, PhD, PAS

Many horse owners would like to give their "pudgy" equids treats as part of a reward, stretching, or just as a relationship builder. You can give treats, but read on to learn more about best practices...