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  Discussion on Optimal Care for the Aging Horse
Author Message
Member:
Mcjules

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 7, 2003 - 2:02 pm:

Along those same lines, we have a 27 year old Welsh/Arab pony. My daughter is riding her in 4H shows, including gaming events. "Misty" is still very young at heart and very active - ridden for at least an hour every day (and taken to all day shows about once a month and trail rides in the Spring and Summer months), I'm a bit concerned about her feed because of her age. We are feeding her a senior grain but it is fairly sweet. I recently read that you should cut back on sweet feeds once your horse reaches a certain age. Is there any truth to this? Thanks!
Member:
Chrism

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 7, 2003 - 4:17 pm:

My mare is now 20 this year (in July). She continues to do well - is learning some piaffe steps, doing some prep exercises with the hope of getting canter pirouettes (sp???) and perhaps even some changes. Besides me riding her fairly seriously 3 times a week, she gives one or two lessons a week.

We showed last year at low level dressage and were in the hunt with usually decent scores and often a placement, but not nothing spectacular.

I'm proud of my little (15 hand) TBx tank mare. There isn't a ride that goes by that I don't think how wonderful she has become after all these years.

While her muzzle is starting to gray off (luckily she has a white snip, stripe and chin), she is a tough old bird and willing athlete.

Even now people ask me about her and want a horse just like her.

Which tickles me, as she was such a pistol when she was young - we've a rowdy history.

She's my buddy.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 7, 2003 - 7:12 pm:

Hello All,
Julie when you ask a question like this realize that even the very basics of human nutrtion are being argued and changed as I write this. Here is what you cannot argue: Misty is doing well and (presumably) looks good with what you are doing now.

The argument you are referring to is the growing awareness of insulin resistance in horses and how high carbohydrate loads MAY adversely effect such horses. Older horses with pituitary adenomas are particularly at risk for this.

However substituting fats for carbs is not without risk: these calories are devoid of any other nutrients including protein, minerals and vitamins. I am waiting to start to see some of the nutritional deficiency diseases that have been gone for a hundred years, in well cared for horses due to the over use of fats in the horse's diet.

If it is not broke do not fix it. Read our article on Overview of Nutrtion and follow the link to feeding aged horses. Then you can think about possible changes. Bring your ideas here (even though you posted a question about your horse in someone else's discussion. Lisa will straighthen this out later) and we will talk about it.
DrO
DrO
New Member:
Jean88

Posted on Monday, Aug 25, 2003 - 12:10 am:

Hi,This is my first post,probably because I am very concerned about my mid 20's paint mare.She has had regular dentistry care since I have owned her (5yrs,my first horse)The dentist found some broken teeth,pulled several teeth,leaving Tipper with only her front teeth and four molars top and bottom on each side.The problem is this, this week she has been leaving many quids around the paddock.I have a call in to the dentist but it will be several days before he will be here.I have been feeding Tipper 6 cups of senior feed twice a day ( is this too much or too little,she is maintaing her weight,not getting fat) and a half bucket of soaked beet pulp once a day plus full access to hay.I have to be careful when feeding,anything with molassas or alfalfa give her diarehea.She has kept her weight on nicely and for whatever the reason, the beetpulp keeps her stool firm.What happens when she can no longer eat hay? What should I substitute for it? I tried buying chopped hay once.There were no instructions as to how much to feed her.Also,the chopped hay has molassas in it. Help! Note: I've even cut hay patties with siccors to help Tipper, but there is no way I could keep up with her needs.
Member:
Kthorse

Posted on Monday, Aug 25, 2003 - 5:27 pm:

Have you tried dengie hay. It has feeding instructions. I use the hi Fi. Its great. Dengie has a web site you might want to check out
Member:
1sally

Posted on Monday, Aug 25, 2003 - 6:34 pm:

Delores,if you are unable to get Dengi Hay (I can't get it here in MI), you might want to try hay cubes. They have to be soaked for 1 to 2 hrs. and then gone through by hand to make sure there aren't any hard spots left ( a real pain). I know other people who have put soft hay through a leaf shredder. Another tip, keep the pasture you have your horse on short. He'll have less trouble eating the short grass.
Member:
Jean88

Posted on Monday, Aug 25, 2003 - 10:07 pm:

Thanks for the information.I haven't tried dengi hay yet, that was next on my list.Still waiting for the dentist to answer my call.She was eating the hay better today.Only a few quids.Rode her tonight,had to go to a bosal because the dentist said I shouldn't put a bit in her mouth because of the teeth problem. Didn't have much control over her with the bosal.She is gentle though so we did the best we could.About the dengi hay, we do have a place to get it $10.00 a bag.Hope the amount to give her isn't too great.She loves to eat, usually 4 patties of hay a day even with the difficulty chewing.
Member:
Paul303

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 26, 2003 - 1:33 am:

Dr.O has great info here on nutrition and feeding older horses - along with many past discussions you can read. I've had many geriatric horses over the years, and the key is constant maintenance, observation, and "work". My oldest horse had lost all his molars by the time he was about 35. He could still manage some grass, but he just rolled cigars with his hay and sucked on them all day. Equine Senior fell in and out of favor with him, and that pretty much happened with the many other things we tried. The combination that did the trick with him was KWIK (a whole pelleted feed ) and corn oil mixed with enough water to form a thick mush. As he got older, we added a mid day meal. This kept him in great shape and we rode him right up to the end. He was euthanized when two large fatty tissue tumors blocked his intestines. The necropsy report began: 38 yr. old pinto gelding in excellent physical condition....
So just keep in mind that today, with the technology and information available, twentysomething is not all that old for a horse. Your horse already has the most important factor conducive to longevity: a caring and concerned owner.
Member:
Erika

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 26, 2003 - 9:16 am:

How right you are Elizabeth! The fact that Dolores is on top of things is great.
I love the Denge Hi-Fi. I think it is worth the extra cost. There is no waste. It is more nutritious than most baled hay you can find. You really don't need as much of it. The trick is to spread out your feedings through the day as much as you can.
I use it for my laminitis-prone mare (in addition to all they regular hay she can eat--"popcorn", basically). I don't need much grain at all that way. I also have a 31 year old gelding who seems to appreciate it as a treat along with the regular "popcorn" hay in the big round bale. He is still fat and sassy with little extra grain, just enough to entice him to his daily wormer.
I agree with Dr. O--watch out for too much oil. Yes, it replaces calories, but especially for a horse whose ability to eat normal foods efficiently is compromised, I wonder about empty calories.
There is a feed called Triple Crown Lite. It is supposed to be more nutritious considering the volume for horses that can't eat a lot. Haven't tried it, but if I were worried about nutrition intake, I might.
I think constant turnout is very important from both a nutritional standpoint, and to keep the joints "well-oiled".
Good luck. These old timers are often worth their weight in gold.
Erika
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