The appearance of ageing signs in horses is just as individual as it is in humans. Some horses remain bright and “forever young” right to the end. For others, the pace slows down and problems increase earlier. The “true” chronological age can vary greatly, and age does not always match the ageing process. Typically, signs of ageing begin to appear in horses around 16–18 years of age. As the years accumulate, the most common signs of age include, among others, a swayback and loss of muscle mass, deeper hollows above the eyes, poorer coat quality, greying, and stiffness when moving. Dental condition can also create challenges for an older horse. In addition to enrichment and regular exercise, nutrition has a major impact on a horse’s wellbeing and on maintaining functional capacity.
Horses today live longer than average, and for that reason it is important to take care of the special needs and wellbeing of elderly horses. With age, the horse’s metabolism and gut function slow down, the intestinal bacterial population weakens, and especially digestion and nutrient absorption decline. When food is no longer absorbed in the same way, the horse’s body condition and muscle condition often deteriorate compared to earlier. For this reason, older horses often need extra nutrients so that their skeleton does not become fragile and their muscles do not waste away prematurely.
Weight loss can be prevented with high-quality, leafy hay. Good hay contains as much leaf as stem and is pale green in colour. An older horse does not usually like to eat coarse, stemmy hay, which is typically also less nutrient-dense. An older horse’s digestion breaks down fibre less efficiently than a young horse’s, so fibre digestibility is an important factor for seniors. High-quality, hygienic wrapped forage (haylage) can be more palatable and easier to chew for a horse with poor teeth than stemmy dry hay. Dental condition is therefore something worth staying on top of with an elderly horse.
What to consider in senior nutrition
Especially outside the grazing season, it is worth offering seniors vitamin-rich herbs and general-condition-supporting herbs to increase overall alertness and help maintain function. Adding vitamins and minerals can improve performance and can significantly improve a horse’s quality of life. Vitamins and trace elements should come from sources that are as bioavailable as possible. Vitamins A, C, D, and E, as well as zinc, selenium, and magnesium, are important for the ageing horse. You can obtain provitamin A, for example, from carrots. You can obtain vitamin C from rosehip, sea buckthorn, nettle, and dandelion leaves. Vitamin E is best absorbed in its natural form, and even a small amount can be sufficient. Vitamin E is a strong antioxidant, and antioxidants have been shown to help with symptoms associated with ageing. B vitamins are beneficial for muscles and digestion.
Plant oils work well as sources of extra energy. These include hemp and flaxseed oils, as well as rapeseed and sunflower oils. Hemp is a good addition for senior horses, especially in a more easily digestible meal form, because it contains plenty of digestion-supporting fibre, important omega fatty acids, and high-quality protein. A senior horse’s diet should contain at least 12% protein, or even 14–16%, because an older horse’s body needs more protein to keep muscles in good condition. Spirulina and hemp protein pellets, for example, are good sources of protein. Omega fatty acids support the immune system and counter low-grade inflammation in the body.
The most common issues in older horses
If an older horse is unable to maintain adequate body weight and muscle mass despite appropriate feeding, it is worth examining the horse’s teeth and parasite status. Blood samples can reveal chronic infections or liver and/or kidney dysfunction, which are often associated with age. Ageing horses may also have malabsorption or other digestive disorders. To help prevent colic, it is important to ensure adequate drinking.
A checklist for older horses also includes regular veterinary examinations. The goal is to identify any age-related diseases as early as possible.
With age and accumulated kilometres, joints develop wear that can cause stiffness, lameness, and osteoarthritis. For an ageing horse, continuous small movement is important. This means a sufficiently large paddock and regular exercise. Various supplements are available for joint issues, and the most common include glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, MSM, collagens, hyaluronic acid, and omega fatty acids. These can support cartilage renewal and synovial fluid production to help maintain joint wellbeing. Rosehip has also been found to be helpful for joint issues.
In older horses, PPID (Cushing’s syndrome) has become more common. Associated symptoms include, among others, a long coat that does not shed into a proper summer coat, loss of muscle mass especially over the back and topline, a dull or apathetic attitude, and laminitis. In feeding these horses, it is important to avoid large amounts of carbohydrates. In particular, sugar and starch intake should be monitored.
A typical issue in older horses is also declining kidney function. In those cases, the horse should receive only the necessary amount of protein, and not excess protein. In addition, it is a good idea to pay attention to protein quality. A smaller amount of high-quality protein is better than a larger amount of lower-quality protein.
Lähteet:
Margaret Wilson: A Helping Hand For older horses During the Winter
Marr C.M Cardiopulmonary disease in the geriatric horse, BEVA congress 2009
Chandler K. Ocular disorders in the geriatric horse, BEVA congress 2009
Du Toit N. Dental disease and management in the geriatric equid, BEVA Congress 2009
Jarvis N. Optimal Nutrition of the geriatric horse, BEVA congress 2009
