The results of a new survey on senior horse health and management have shed light on the reasons why horses may be retired. The work should help guide how and when healthcare intervention may help to prolong active, healthy lives for seniors (Herbst et al., 2023).
Older horse resting in pasture.
A prolonged working/active life may not only be desired by owners but is also likely to provide health and welfare benefits to the horse
© 2017 by WOLF AVNI
Horses older than 15, often classified as seniors, are estimated to make up around one-third of the world’s equine population (Ireland et al., 2016), but information on their management and health is limited.
The recent nationwide survey was conducted in the US by the Gluck Equine Research Center at the University of Kentucky in association with the SPILLERS brand via the WALTHAM Equine Studies Group. It is a first step in finding out more about the risk factors for retirement of seniors and, ultimately, how active quality of life may be extended.
“This survey has highlighted several interesting retirement trends,” said Sarah Nelson, product manager at Mars Horsecare, home of the SPILLERS brand. “With a better understanding of when and why senior horses are being retired, we hope, eventually, to be better placed to monitor for, prevent (where possible), and treat the underlying conditions early on to help horses stay active and healthy for longer.”
A total of 2717 completed surveys were analysed. Respondents were predominantly leisure owners (~65 percent), with fewer equine professionals (~35 percent), and most of the horses were being used for pleasure riding or driving (~39 percent) or were in full retirement (~40 percent).
“A prolonged working/active life may not only be desired by owners but is also likely to provide health and welfare benefits to the horse,” said Alisa Herbst, who led the study. We hope the results of this study may be useful for veterinarians caring for senior and geriatric equines, by helping to achieve this.
See complete article HERE to learn more about this survey and why horses are retired earlier than necessary.
Press release by Improve Veterinary Practice