Horses
have relatively long life spans, as compared to other livestock and companion
animals. Proper nutrition, maintenance, and veterinary care allow horses to
have longer and more productive lives, but as horses age, their needs change
and additional care may be required to keep them healthy. There is no set age
for when a horse is deemed old because horses, like people, age at different
rates.
When
caring for an older horse, it is important to understand how the horse’s body
changes as it ages and how these changes impact the horse’s health
requirements. One important area to consider when caring for an older horse is
nutrition.
Nutritional
needs of aging horses can vary greatly between individuals. As horses age,
meeting their nutritional requirements becomes more difficult. One reason for
this is poor dentition. The natural circular chewing motion characteristic of
horses leads to sharp points developing on the outside of the horse’s upper
molars and the inside of the horse’s lower molars. Filing the horse’s teeth one
to two times per year will improve his chewing ability and digestion. Some
older horses may not have teeth due to them wearing away over time. This leaves
horses with little ability to chew and digest foods they would normally eat.
This problem can be addressed by changing the type of food the horse eats. Some
feed companies make senior horse feeds that have a softer texture than ordinary
horse feeds. Concentrates fed in pellet form can be wet down and softened to
make it easier for the horse to chew. Forage in the form of hay cubes or
pellets can also be wet down and softened.
As
horses age, they may become less able to glean nutrients from food due to
reduced nutrient absorption, lowered ability to digest fiber, and reduced
gastrointestinal motility, which is caused by intestinal damage from parasites.
Lifelong parasite control is an important part of maintaining a horse’s health.
Older
horses that are having difficulty maintaining their body condition should be
given highly digestible, high-energy feeds. Beet pulp is often used for this
purpose because it is a highly digestible fiber source.
Digestibility
can be improved by selecting commercial feeds containing grains that have been
processed by crimping, cracking, rolling, or steam flaking. This breaks the
grain’s seed coat, making it easier to digest. It is important to feed good
quality grain and forage that is free of mold and dust, as moldy and dusty
feeds can cause gastrointestinal tract problems and are not easily digestible.
Some
older horses may hold their weight more easily and become too heavy as a result
of less exercise. These horses may accumulate fat at an unhealthy rate, which
could be harmful to their health. This makes it important to monitor the horse
to ensure he is meeting his nutritional requirements without gaining excess
weight.
By
Amber Long, Bladen County Summer Intern
