| He's been your equine partner for years now. | | | | 3. Consider a senior feed. Older horses do not |
| You've perhaps ridden inshows, through trails or | | | | absorb as manynutrients from their food as |
| even relocated across the country with | | | | younger horses. Couple that with worn-out,missing |
| yourhorse. You've been friends a long time, and it | | | | or damaged teeth, and many older horses have |
| may be hard to admit, butyou've noticed your | | | | difficultykeeping weight on, especially through the |
| horse is slowing down. | | | | winter months. Several seniorfeeds on the |
| Don't lose heart. Just like with people, advances in | | | | market today offer alfalfa-based pellets that are |
| health care andnutrition are helping horses live | | | | easy forolder horses to chew, swallow and digest. |
| longer, more productive lives, well intotheir senior | | | | Many times older horses choose to eat very little |
| years. But older horses do take a little extra care. | | | | hay. The senior feed isdesigned to cover all |
| Here's afew ways to keep your aging buddy | | | | roughage requirements for the horse as well |
| doing his best. | | | | asprovide the ideal vitamin and mineral balance for |
| 1. Give him light, consistent work. Your horse may | | | | the older horse. Also,don't feed your senior buddy |
| not be able to keepup a workout routine for | | | | with a younger, more aggressive horse. |
| competitions, but he's probably not ready toretire | | | | You want to make sure he doesn't have to fight |
| either. Keep him at a reasonable fitness level and | | | | for his fair share. |
| he'll feel andperform like a younger horse. The | | | | 4. Consider feed supplements. If you've never |
| worst thing to do is let him get out ofshape and | | | | used a feed supplement,now may be the time. |
| then ride him hard some weekend when he hasn't | | | | Talk to your veterinarian about what kind |
| beenridden for months. That's not fair to him and | | | | ofsupplement might be best for your horse. Biotin |
| may spell trouble for youlater. | | | | is great for hooves andcoat. Other supplements |
| 2. Make sure your horse has regular vet | | | | can help with energy. Of course, glucosiamineis |
| check-ups. Don't neglect the vetcheck-up even if | | | | the standard supplement to keep joints healthy |
| your horse isn't around many other horses | | | | and lubricated. |
| anymore. | | | | 5. Give him attention. It's easy to forget about a |
| Keep him up-to-date on vaccinations, like any | | | | horse you can't use asmuch anymore, but if you |
| horse, and make sureyour vet begins looking for | | | | can't use him, maybe you should loan hisservices |
| signs of arthritis or soundness issues. | | | | to someone who can. Many older, experienced |
| Sometimes cortisone shots given early can not | | | | show horsesare great lesson horses. He could |
| only provide relief foraching joints, but can | | | | give a neighbor's child a few lessonsa week or |
| prevent further inflammation and stiffness later | | | | stand still while you teach children how to properly |
| on. | | | | groom ahorse. He might be a great mount for a |
| Continued deworming is also important for the | | | | beginner rider, or an adult whodoesn't want any |
| older horse. Horses morethan 20 years old may | | | | surprises. You could still take him on the |
| have intestinal scarring from worm damage | | | | occasionalleisurely ride. Just don't leave him |
| thatoccurred before modern larvicidal dewormers | | | | untouched in a stall for days. At thevery least, |
| were available. | | | | give him a buddy and plenty of turnout time. |
| Have your veterinarian check your horse's teeth | | | | It may take a little extra time and money to care |
| at least once a year. | | | | for your older horse, butwhen you think back to |
| The older a horse gets, the more likely his teeth | | | | all the years he's given, you'll probably agreehe's |
| will be worn into sharppoints. They may even be | | | | worth it. With the proper care, many horses are |
| wearing out completely. | | | | living sound,productive lives well into their 20s. |