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  Discussion on Geriatric body condition
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New Member:
kellys

Posted on Tuesday, Mar 5, 2013 - 11:12 pm:

Hi Dr. O,
My father passed away and I am caring for his 33 year old gray arabian gelding, Walking Tall. I had a horse in college but it has been a while. Tall has melanoma and we are giving him cimetidine once a day and the tumors haven't been growing larger. He was getting what I believe was a cresty neck and seemed to have sore feet so I cut back on his feed. I give him 2 pounds strategy healthy edge and 3 pounds alfalfa cube mash twice a day. He cannot eat hay. He spends most of his day in the stall except when we take him for a walk and to graze. Anyway, the cresty neck has gone down and he is not sore at all and I have even discontinued the senior flex. Problem is he is a little bony on the ribs but he does have a bit of a belly. Is this just because of his age or is there something else I should be doing? Thank you, Kelly Smith
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 6, 2013 - 6:45 pm:

Welcome Kelley,
There is no simple way to answer your question as it depends on dozens of factors. Assuming no other disease problems than you describe you may find small increases in your current feeding regimen will safely increase condition, particularly as the weather warms. Or adding vegetable oil to the diet is a fairly safe way to increase calories. To see a complete discussion on this subject see HorseAdvice.com » Horse Care » Routine Horse Care » Geriatric Horse: Problems and Care. It covers your topic in detail.
DrO
Member:
paul303

Posted on Thursday, Mar 14, 2013 - 1:22 am:

Over the 40 years I've had horses, I've almost always had at least one over thirty horse ( and one over 40 ). As Dr.O says, adding oil seems to help in most cases. Access to turnout always helps. Stallbound is not a great idea, movement always helps. If he has access to turnout and chooses not to use it, well, that is his choice...although, I would put him on a lead and walk him as much as possible. A cresty neck and sore feet MIGHT ( and I mean MIGHT ) point to Cushings. A condition that COULD cause the crestiness ( and fat pads in other places, like over the tail ), besides causing general muscle depletion, especially along the top line of the horse resulting in a boney looking back and exposed ribs. Cushings is treated with pergolide, which has worked very well for my mare ( 33 this coming May 2, I foaled her in 1980 ). She's been on it since 2005...when we thought that we were ready to let her go - her feet were sore, her belly prominent, her ribs and backbone raw and boney and her attitude...exhausted. Once on the Pergolide, she did a 180 degree about face. Although she has trouble with hay, I still keep it in front of her constantly - horses were made to graze 24/7, if they just want to gum some hay and suck on it, let them. With the REALLY old horses in my care ( one was 42, another 38 ), I add a third feeding, lunch, of senior feed ( I'm doing well with Dumor senior right now )and some oil. If I have to add grated carrots or grated apple to encourage the appetite, I do. The feet need the farrier every 5 to 8 weeks at the least. Comfortable feet enable them to move around a lot easier and more willingly, which is good for them. Good luck with your old boy...the old ones are the best.
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