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As the veterinary care in the equine population continues to improve, the geriatric population of horses is increasing in size. Geriatric refers to the natural ageing process and the management of conditions associated with old age. The age at which a horse is referred to as geriatric has changed over the past few years, with some considering a horse to be geriatric starting at 16-18 years of age, and others considering horses to be geriatric at 20 years of age and above. The rate of ageing is dependant on several factors, including genetics, environment, nutrition, health care and use. There are several reasons resulting in longer life-span and use: · Improved husbandry, nutrition, farrier care, feeding and conditioning · Behavioral psychology and management · Economically feasible to prolong the useful life of the horse · Changed function of horses in today’s society · Increased personal attachment of horse owners The life expectancy in horses is different from that in humans, as they do not age at the same rate. Between 1 and 10 years of age in horses, the human equivalent is 4-40 years of age. Between 11 and 25 years of age in horses, the human equivalent is 33 and 72 years of age. At 30 years of age in horses, the human equivalent is 81 years of age. At 35 years of age in horses, the human equivalent is 88 years of age. Signs of Aging The average horse will begin show signs of ageing by 16-18 years of age. Signs of ageing include some of the following: · Swaying of back · Hollows over the eyes deepen · Reduced feed utilization · Unthrifty, rough and dull hair coat · Slow to shed hair coat · Incisor teeth elongation · Drooping of lower lip · Poor condition, pot-bellied appearance · Lack of muscle tone · Low sloping pasterns due to loss of ligament and tendon strength · Graying of hair · Stiff movement · Lack of joint flexibility Common problems noted in geriatric horses · Dental problems: poor dentition · Vision · Gastrointestinal conditions · Immune weakness · Lameness · Parasitemia · Reproductive · Respiratory · Tumor · Kidney · Liver There are physiological changes present in geriatric horses that can be addressed to improve their lifestyle and duration of life and use. These include some of the following: · Arthritis · Anemia · Hyperinsulinemia · Decreased feed digestibility · Phosphorus · Decreased intestinal motility · Decreased hepatic, renal and large intestine function · Tumors: pituitary and thyroid most commonly Special considerations should be given to nutrition and feeding of geriatric horses. A protein level of 10-14%, increased soluble carbohydrates, fats and dietary oils, as well as total fiber percentage should be assessed by your veterinarian. The level of minerals and vitamins in the feed should be addressed. Due to reduced feed digestibility in older horses, increasing the total dietary feed intake by 10-15% if the horse is in poor body condition may be done. The diet should also provide more digestible than indigestible fiber. Providing several small meals throughout the day is better than providing 1-2 large meals.Forages should include the following: · Good quality hay, either grass, alfalfa or a combination, should be offered at 1.5-2% of body weight daily. · I recommend using grass hay other than Bermuda due to the increased risk of ileal impactions that are observed with fine, Bermuda grass hay. · If your horse is missing a lot of teeth, it will be difficult for him/her to appropriately chew the hay and quidding (packing of hay in the cheeks) may occur. · Offering a source of complete feed, such as Equine Senior, may help these horses maintain weight.All horses should have access to fresh, clean water. Horses tend to prefer warm water in the winter time. This will increase water consumption during cold weather and reduce the risk of impactions. General Management Guidelines for the Equine Geriatric · Provide annual dental care. Many geriatric horses have loose to broken teeth, as well as missing teeth. Early signs of dental disease include dropping feed (quidding), packing feed in the cheeks, having excessive amounts of grain or unchewed hay in the feces. If the feeding efficiency is reduced, slurries of a complete feed may help the horse maintain his weight and vitality. · Monitor body condition. Aged horses may be overweight, due to metabolic diseases, or underweight, due to inadequate intake and processing of feet. It is important to maintain your horse in good body condition. · Do not allow horses to become too thin or fat · Provide for appropriate exercise. Older horses can be ridden late in life. I have known several 30+ year old horses that have been ridden on a routine basis. In my opinion, this keeps them in fitter condition and allows them to maintain joint flexibility, increase circulation, improve digestion and stimulates them. These horses appear to be healther and happier than their counterparts that are never exercised. Many older horses have arthritic changes in their joints. There is a wide variety of oral and injectable products that contain glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate and/or hyaluronic acid that can help lubricate joints. If these supplements are started, it may take several months before you notice a change. · Provide adequate shelter · Maintain an appropriate health program. Routine vaccinations, deworming, fecal egg counts and annual blood work (geriatric profile) are recommended. · Provide farrier care on a regular basis. Older horses are commonly affected with Cushing’s disease, which may result in laminitis (founder), solar abscesses and other foot problems. Routine foot care will reduce the risk of the above problems as well as allow early detection of impending problems. · Reduce physical and psychological stress. Older horses may need extra protection from horse bullies. Aggressive or dominant horses may run off the older horses from the food source. If this is a problem, consider fencing off an area where the aged horse can live with a companion. Companions may include a goat, chicken, llama or alpaca.
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