6 Senior Horse Myths

A very common question horse owners ask is, “When is my horse a senior?” The answer is, there is no predetermined age that a horse becomes a senior! Like people, horses age as individuals and a horse doesn’t just wake up one day as a “senior.” That said, horses tend to show signs of aging by 20 years, and some often earlier.¹

Signs that a horse is entering its senior years include graying of the face, increased stiffness, and changes in muscle tone. Clinical signs one might not see include hormonal changes and changes in immune function. In some cases, dietary changes are not needed, but in others they are (discussed below).

Here are six senior myths that you might have heard!

Senior Horse Myth #1

There are a few common myths about senior horses. For example, it is a myth that horses just get skinny when they are old. This is not the case at all! Any time a horse loses weight without explanation it is cause for concern.

First, a veterinarian should be called for an overall health check. A nutritionist will take into account any health concerns and advise on how best to adjust the horse’s diet to ensure that a proper body condition is reached and maintained.

Senior Myth #2

Another myth is that horses lose digestive efficiency as they age. Not so! Early research suggested that parasite scarring of the digestive tract contributed to a lack of nutrient absorption. However, this notion has been dispelled.

While horses might require less calorie intake as they age, due in large part to a decrease in activity demand or training, they do not have a decreased requirement for protein, vitamins, and minerals (Ralston and Harris, 2013; Elzinga, et al., 2014).²

Senior Myth #3

A third myth is that when a horse reaches a certain age, it should stop working. This one depends on a lot of factors, including soundness, health, and general management.

Certainly a horse’s exercise routine or workload will need modification with advancing age. However, if the horse is generally healthy and sound, even light movement is very beneficial for mental stimulation, muscle tone, and metabolism. Horses that are not sound might be limited to turnout only. Even so, the movement in the field will support mobility and welfare.

As part of the natural course of aging, horses do lose some exercise capacity, meaning they can’t necessarily work as hard or as long as they did when they were younger (McKeever and Malinowski, 1999).³ However, keeping up an exercise routine as tolerated will help the horse maintain fitness and lessen the decline in exercise capacity overall. Use it or lose it is a real thing!”

Senior Myth #4

A fourth myth is that older horses are the same as younger horses during weather changes. A horse’s ability to regulate body temperature (particularly in extreme hot or cold climates) becomes challenged the same reason their exercise capacity changes with age.

It becomes extra important to keep an eye on your senior in changing weather conditions. In the summer, ensure there is access to shade. It might also help to turn the horse out overnight or simply bring the horse into the stable during peak heat (typically between 10 a.m.-2 p.m.).

Cooling baths are also helpful on hot, humid days, along with barn-safe fans or misting systems.

On the other hand, cold weather presents different challenges. During winter, it is essential for the horse to have shelter with clean, dry bedding that provides protection from the elements.

When temperatures drop, providing some extra forage will help the horse’s internal furnace (the cecum, part of the large colon that ferments fiber and produces heat) maintain warmth. A blanket or rug will also help the horse conserve energy and retain heat on particularly cold days and nights.

A shivering horse is cold, so bring him into the stable and, if the coat is dry, put a blanket or rug on until he warms up.

The horse’s coat provides plenty of insulation, but if it becomes wet, it will have the opposite effect. Steam emanating from the horse in cold weather is a sign that the horse is at risk for becoming chilled or hypothermic. Bring the horse to a dry stable, rub dry as much as possible, and use moisture-wicking coolers to help pull dampness away from the horse while keeping heat in.

Senior Myth #5

Another myth is that an older horse needs a senior feed. When it comes to nutrition, there is no pre-determined age that a horse needs to begin consuming a “senior” feed. Rather, consider the horse’s current body condition, activity level, and any health concerns.⁴

A ration balancer provides concentrated vitamins, minerals, and protein without extra calories. This is great for horses that are easy keepers, are on a forage-only diet, or only eat a small amount of concentrate.

For horses that are harder to keep weight on, a higher fat concentrate or fat supplement is likely more appropriate.

Endocrine disease, including PPID (pars pituitary intermedia dysfunction, or Equine Cushing’s Disease) or metabolic syndrome (insulin dysregulation) will require special feeding considerations. Limited carbohydrate diets spread out over the course of the day are good practice, but keep in mind that each horse’s needs vary.

Senior Myth #6

Another myth is that an older horse doesn’t need special as much dental attention. In fact, the teeth of older horses need special attention. Dental changes in a horse’s senior years might not be the same as the horse experienced as a younger animal.

Domesticated horses need regular dental care to ensure that no points or hooks interfere with proper chewing, and to monitor overall dental health. Many older horses will lose teeth, which eventually will stop erupting. Another issue is that the grinding surface might become so worn that proper chewing of forage becomes difficult or impossible.

Forage alternatives, such as soaked hay cubes, beet pulp, or chopped forage can help horses with poor dentition consume sufficient forage and nutrients without having to thoroughly chew them. Veterinary dentists and nutritionists can work together to build a healthy plan for the horse to meet dietary needs in a safe and practical manner.

Final Words

In summary, each horse ages as an individual. Some will maintain light to moderate training well into their elder years, while others might need to retire earlier in life. No two horses are exactly the same, and it is crucial to monitor each horse and notice when something changes.

Regular veterinary check-ups, diet evaluation, and overall monitoring of behavior will help give early clues to changes in a horse’s physiology or condition.

A little special consideration for seniors can go a long way to support a comfortable life as the years pass.

References

National Research Council Nutrient Requirements of Horses, 6^th Ed. 2007. National Academies Press. Washington, DC.
Nutritional considerations for aged horses. 2013. Ralson, S., and Harris, P. Equine Applied and Clinical Nutrition. Saunders Elsevier, London, UK. Pp. 289-301.
Exercise capacity in young and old mares. McKeever, K.H., and Malinowski, K. 1997. American Journal of Veterinary Research. 58: 1468-1472.
Comparison of nutrient digestibility between adult and aged horses. Elzinga, S.; Nielsen, B.; Schott, H.D.; Rapson, J.; Robison, C.I.; McCutcheon, J.; Harris, P.A.; Geor, R. 2014. CJournal of Equine Veterinary Science. 34(10):1164-1169.