Feeding an Older Horse

As your horse starts to get older he or she will need a different feeding programme.  At what age your horse is considered old may well depend on its breeding but generally any age from 16 onwards.  Their needs change as they get older so this needs to be considered when feeding.  Making sure they are in good health is paramount especially regular checks on their teeth as these will get longer with age.  A general indication that a horses teeth need looking at is if they continuing shaking their heads or what is called quidding where by the keep dropping food from their mouths.  They may require supplements for stiff joints or degenerating conditions such as Navicular. 

There are some natural remedies such as adding cider vinegar, sulphur or garlic to a feed to help stiff or sore joints or limbs.  Cortaflex is also very good for stiffness in the limbs.  Research as shown that as horses get older they are less efficient at extracting nutrients form their feed.  As horses get older they will not be able to chew as efficiently due to their teeth being worn down.  This results in large pieces of food being ingested.  During the winter months they may well horse feeds to help them keep weight on.

I have a mare who is 22 who although she has her teeth rasped regularly always throws a lot of her food about and wastes it.  I have found by soaking her nuts in warm water she is able to digest them much better.  I also had a very ancient pony whose front teeth were completely worn down.  I hasten to add this did not stop him from eating everything in sight!

It is therefore best to feed feeds that are easily broken down and digested. Haylage can be a useful form of fibre for older horses as it is generally less dusty than hay.  I use middlings to maintain weight an older horses as this is non heating and is mix with water so can be made very sloppy if need be.  Today there are also many senior coarse mixes available and with the addition of high fibre cubes and/or soaked sugar beet can help to maintain condition.  Adding plenty of water and allowing food to soak into a mash or gruel can make it more palatable and easier for older horses to digest.  Your vet may also recommend feeding a bran mash once or twice a week to help assist digestion, together with the a daily addition of a digestive aid such as an equine probiotic.

Adding finely chopped or grated carrots and apples will always be appreciated by older horses and can tempt the fussiest of eaters.  I knew of one old pony who lived to 45. He lived out all his live living mainly on grass. As he got older the vet told his owner not to bother to give him hay as he found the difficult to eat.  Soaking or steaming hay can make it more palatable but this old pony seemed to manage very well without it.