The saying “you’re only as old as you feel” certainly applies to horses, and “use it or lose it” relates to horses just as much as humans.
An older speckled white horse looking worried
A horse's earlier career influences which fitness program will suit him best later in life, since it is easier to get an older athlete back in shape than it is to transform an aged equine loafer into a top performer.
© 2008 by Louis New window.
Unused muscles, tendons, and ligaments will weaken over time. The senior horse’s exercise regime should be carefully planned to encourage mobility for health without putting undue stress on old injuries or areas of particular weakness.
Exercise is important for helping to maintain healthy gut function. Lack of movement weakens muscles and bones, while mild exercise can help reduce inflammation in tendons, ligaments, and joints. Exercise also helps prevent the senior from gaining too much weight; letting an elder become obese only adds to the strain on their joints.
Before putting any horse over the age of 15 into a conditioning program, check with your veterinarian. She may suggest a full workup to ensure that your horse is physically able to get back in shape. With your veterinarian's approval, you can then begin to devise a fitness plan for your older horse, based on his situation and your goals.
A horse's earlier career influences which fitness program will suit him best later in life. For starters, it's easier to get an old athlete back in shape than it is to transform an aged equine paddock-loafer into a top performer.
Although old injuries and general wear and tear may require scaling back athletic activities, senior horses certainly benefit from maintaining an active lifestyle. Work with your veterinarian to decide the level of activity that is suitable for your horse.
If you have more than one horse it is important to be aware of herd dynamics to help protect senior horse health. Herd dynamics change on a regular basis, not just when a new horse is introduced to the field. Seniority in the paddock means that it is the most dominant, strongest horses that eat and drink first.
Hay stations should be spaced far enough apart to allow the senior to get his fair share of feed. One way to help your senior horse to his fair share of resources is to create as many hay stations as there are occupants in the paddock and provide more than one water source.
Space the hay stations far enough apart that each horse can eat uninterrupted. If the older one is not chomping down food as quickly as his paddock mates, this may not be an adequate solution. Consider splitting them up into a smaller and less dominant group or feeding them separately. Also try to keep your retirees separated from horses that travel frequently to reduce the risk of contracting infectious disease.
Press release by Equine Guelph - Minor editing by EquiMed editor