Feeding Older Horses
Suggestions from Research
by Judy Reynolds, PhD., P.A.S.
"Just because a horse is old does not
mean it has to be thin and in poor health," states Sarah Ralston,
D.V.M., Rutgers University1. "With proper attention to dentition,
ration, and veterinary care, horses can main-tain excellent body
condition and health well past thirty years of age."
Older horses often become less
effective at saliva production, which leads to increased risk of
choke. Horses can choke on any feed, including long-stemmed hay
and sweet feed, not just pellets. Feeds should be moistened for
horses that have choked previously, tend to bolt their feed, or
don't seem to produce an adequate amount of saliva. Alfalfa
pellets expand to three times their size when moistened and
should not be fed dry or as more than about 10% of a concentrate
diet without being moistened.
Yeast cultures, probiotics,
B-vitamin supplements, and additional vitamin C can be of
benefit to older horses.
Horses with chronic infections may
benefit from 10 grams of vitamin C given twice daily.
Sweet feeds worsen glucose
intolerance, another common problem in older horses, and should
be avoided, if possible.
Alfalfa and beet pulp are excellent
feeds for senior horses, but are high in calcium and should not
be fed in excessive amounts.
A veterinarian can do various blood
tests for organ function. Creatinine and blood urea nitrogen
(BUN) tests determine renal (kidney) function. Hepatic (liver)
enzymes increase with liver disfunction. Horses with kidney or
liver disfunction should be fed lower protein and higher
carbohydrate rations. Added fats are acceptable for horses with
renal disease, but not hepatic, because of the danger of
hyperlipidemia. Consult a veterinarian and nutritionist for
special rations for horses with medical conditions.
Decreased thyroid function, mainly
seen in older geldings, can be treated medically and with low
carbohydrate rations.
Pituitary tumors are very common in
mares over 20 years of age (70% in horses studied) and can be
treated medically by a veterinarian.
Thyroid deficiency can be treated
with hormone therapy, but is difficult to diagnose.
In anemic horses, check for copper
deficiency, and iron excess. Do not give iron injections.
