Before we can discuss diet requirements for the "older horse," we first need to determine when a horse is considered to become older. While we typically may think of an older horse as one that is in its teens, the reality is that the genetics of the individual plus how it was cared for during its life will dictate when its nutritional needs begin to shift from that of an adult mature horse to that of a geriatric horse. That point in life may be sooner, or later, for some horses than it is for others. It’s also important to remember that aging is a gradual process and doesn’t happen overnight.

It’s estimated that there are over 700,000 senior horses living in the United States today. It seems as if there was a "horse baby boom" in the mid-to-late 1970s, making 9-11% of the total horse population today older horses. Many of these horses are well into their 20s or 30s, and still live very healthy, active lives due to better care and feeding.

The best manner in which to care for older horses is to address their special needs prior to any significant decline in condition or health. As always, your veterinarian plays a key role in helping to ensure the continuing good health and longevity of your horse. Our three main areas of attention include nutrition, management, and health.

Let’s examine some of the typical problems of older horses, and how to resolve them -

Dental - Teeth that are worn or missing make chewing difficult for the horse. Poor dental care can also cause mouth ulcers resulting in pain. Poor teeth contribute to the horse not chewing its food long enough to produce the amount of saliva necessary for proper digestion. Saliva not only contains enzymes important for the digestion of feed, but it also helps to lubricate the esophagus for ease of swallowing.

If you notice your horse dropping bits of feed or forage out of its mouth, chances are it’s time for a dental check. In addition to making sure that your horse’s teeth are in good condition, feeds that are processed and are easy to chew will help the problem. Water can also be added to the feed to make a gruel which will be even more edible for the horse with poor dental condition.

Digestive System - One of the problems with aging is that the motility of the horse’s digestive tract becomes compromised. One reason for this reduction in digestive motility may be due to the fact that the horse itself has become less active. However, digestive concerns still can occur in those individuals that remain active even as an older horse. Gas production and impactions can lead to colic symptoms.

By feeding smaller meals more frequently, the horse can more easily digest and process its feed. Reducing starch or grain in the diet can be helpful in preventing excess gas and constipation. Increasing the amount of a high quality, easily digestible fiber source may also assist in this regard. As always, offer plenty of clean, fresh water to keep food moving through the system. Consider adding 2 ounces of salt to the horse’s diet to stimulate water consumption. Remember, horses prefer tepid water from 45 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

As part of the aging process, the older horse experiences a reduction in digestive efficiency, along with a decline in its ability to absorb nutrients. By feeding a processed feed, as opposed to whole grains, and by fortifying the nutrient levels in that feed, the horse is better able to absorb those nutrients which are made available in its diet. The basic 9 or 10% whole-grain diet that had sufficed in the horse’s earlier years simply will not provide adequate nutrition to the now older horse as the necessary nutrients are either not present at all, or are no longer available to the changing geriatric digestive system.

Parasite infestation also hinders digestive capabilities, so a proper deworming and parasite control program must always remain paramount in proper maintenance and care of the horse at any age.

Respiratory - Senior horses may begin to experience some respiratory problems including heaves or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These horses demonstrate symptoms in the form of a chronic dry cough. In severe cases, the horse may even have rapid breathing, difficulty inhaling and exhaling, and even develop a "heave" line along the muscle on the lower sides of the abdomen. These conditions signal the attention of your veterinarian. Medications are now available that may assist in relief of the symptoms.

In addition to veterinary help, changes in the feeding program and environment are also necessary. The first step is to reduce dust and allergens. Hay can be one of the culprits here! Feed only high-quality, clean hay and wet it down well with water prior to feeding. Or, eliminate hay from the diet by feeding a complete feed (one that includes forage). This offers a viable option in feeding horses with this condition as it eliminates much of the dust in the diet.

Many of these horses will do significantly better if turned out to a grassy pasture.( Obviously, a dry pen turnout that is dusty will only worsen the situation.) Though full-time turnout is preferred, dramatic improvement may be seen if the horse has turnout for most of the day and is stabled at night.

Body Weight - Though some senior horses have a problem with being overweight, it is much more common to see older horses that have a challenge with becoming too thin. Aging tends to result in a reduction in muscle mass, along with difficulty in maintaining adequate weight. As mentioned earlier, the older horse may not absorb nutrients as efficiently as it had been able to do in its younger years, or may be experiencing problems with chewing and digesting. Monitor your horse’s BW using the established Body Condition Scoring System, paying special attention to weight over the top line, back and rib cage areas.