Caring for Your Older Horse

After a while we all get to that point where we realize the horse we grew up with isn't getting any younger. My mare Leo's Pretty Flowers(affectionately known as Ginger) turned 27 this April. I got her as a yearling. Normally this would not have been an ideal situation as she was my first horse. I got lucky and got a horse that never thought about doing anything to hurt me. Together we played hide and seek on horseback, discovered more trails than I can remember, (both in Texas and Colorado)went through John Lyons certification program, and now she helps me carry my son around for a walk in the yard. She has really started having a harder time maintaining her weight though. So I will share a few things I have learned.

Throw The Cheap Feed Out The Window

I used to feed the generic horse feed. You hear all the time that it's just the label you're paying for. Sometimes that is true, but in the case of feed I don't think it is. If you feed cheap generic feed you end up having to feed more just to keep your horse looking healthy. Yes, you pay more for expensive feed, but you feed about half as much. I finally figured out that feeding a complete feed does save you more money. Plus, you don't have to add all the extra stuff in your feed because it has all that in there anyway. Safe and Sound, Safe Choice, and Strategy are all really good feeds. They are all basically the same, an easily digested pellet feed. I know when I started feeding my mare this feed it made a huge difference in her appearance. I have my mare on pasture, but I also feed good quality coastal. When it starts getting dry around here and green grass is scarce I usually give her at least a flake of Alfalfa too. Another big thing to watch concerning feed is that your horse is getting to finish her feed. The older they get, the less teeth they have and this makes eating more of a task. That means if you have multiple horses you might need to separate them while your old horse eats. That way he/she gets all the good stuff.

Worm, Worm, Worm

Older horses immune systems just don't work as well. Worms can be quite a hazard for an older horse. Anything that takes away from their weight is not a good thing. If you notice your horse getting really run down, it might be time for a super worming. You can do a three or five day purge. This involves giving a wormer every day for three or five days. Last year Idid the five day worming for my mare. You can buy five separate wormers or you can buy a wormer that is meant for multiple horses. If you do separate wormers you can give the entire contents every day for the alloted time. Be sure to make one of those wormers Zimectrin Gold. That is one of the only wormers on the market that kill tapeworms. Another option if your horse hates wormer or you don't feel comfortable doing this is to let your vet do a tube worming. This is also more effective than just doing your average worming.(average worming is done every two months or so) If your horse has not been wormed in months keep a careful eye on them for the first day after you do this. Tube worming and purges kill off a lot of worms. If the horse is really wormy it can cause your horse to get a belly ache or even colic.

Dental Work

Keeping your older horses teeth in good shape is another important thing. Again, anything that slows down their eating process is not good. Just like people, older horses start losing teeth. They get sharp points that make it harder to eat comfortably and effectively. Yearly teeth floating should be scheduled if you do not already have that set up. Your veterinarian will sedate your horse to make him/her easier to work with. Then they can "float" their teeth. Sometimes you can not even tell your horse needs his/her teeth done. But, sometimes you can. Signs that they might need their teeth check include: dropping a lot of feed while eating, spitting hay out and re-eating it, dunking it in water to soften it, and sudden sensitivity to the bit.

Light Exercise

Don't give up on exercise. If you don't feel your horse can still be ridden there are other options. You can take him/her out for a walk or some light lounging. Even brushing circulates the blood. A good massage or brushing might be a real treat. I still ride my mare occasionally, usually carrying my son. We make a couple of laps around the front yard. It thrills my son, gives her a gentle warm up, and make me dream of the old days. If your horse is still able to trot and even lope, that is fine too. Just remember to warm them up. Start out nice and slow doing neck bends, moving the hips, backing up, and generally giving those old joints a chance to warm up.

Blankets

Take notice of your horse's body warmth. Generally they tend to get cold a lot easier. I usually leave my mare out in the pasture even when it's cold and rainy. That is just where she is happier. But, when it starts getting colder I start putting her blanket on. It just gives her a little extra warmth. This also gives her less of a chance to get a cold or pneumonia. If possible have a shed, or trees or some shelter to block the brunt of the wind and you should be in good shape. extra hay on really chilly days also helps to keep a horse warm.

Sickness and Shots

Again, the older they get the more compromised their immune system becomes. Keep up with your horses shots. The more diseases you can prevent the better your chances are for a really long life. Pay attention to details. If they don't seem to have an appetite,check them out. Take their temperature. Normal for a horse usually ranges anywhere from 99.5 to 101.4. If they are running a fever contact your veterinarian. The quicker they recover form any illness the easier it is on their bodies. Many horses do not eat or drink when they don't feel well. So if you notice either one of those things happening be sure and check your horses temperature. If a horse is colicking they don't always run a fever. Normally, though, they do exhibit signs. Some of those are as follows: biting at flanks, getting up and down repeatedly, sweating around flank and chest area, pawing the ground and acting restless. If your horse starts rolling get your horse up and make them walk. This is a life or death thing. Rolling can cause twisted intestines which can be fatal. Make them walk no matter what. I always keep Banamine on hand. You have to purchase this from your vet. He/she can instruct you on how to use it. It can slow down or totally stop the colic and is a good thing to have while you wait on the vet to get there.

As your horse gets older paying special attention is needed, but also don't forget just to enjoy your older horse. After all they have worked hard and deserve to live retirement out well.