signs to watch for in older horses

Keep your older horse happy and comfortable!

 

  • Older horses, just like older people, can have wonderful athletic lives if we pay attention, take extra care, and practice good preventative measures.

 

Monitor your older horse’s health daily:

 

 

  • Inspect and touch legs every day, sometimes more than once. You are looking for scabs, scratches, cuts, inflammation, wind puffs, really anything that wasn’t there yesterday. Older horses may take longer to heal and recover from injury, so catching even the smallest abnormality early helps.

 

  • Run your hands over every inch of your horse. Older horses can develop growths in the mane, under tails, around sheaths and udders, and really just about anywhere. Check daily.

 

gray horse in black halter posing for the camera

Old and spunky!

 

  • Routinely check teeth and inside of the cheeks. For older horses, make sure you notice how they eat their hay, pasture, and grain. Horses that drop their food or quid, have weird smells coming from their mouths or nostrils or resist eating the thicker strands of hay often have tooth issues. Your veterinarian should inspect your older horse’s mouth at least twice a year and perform any floating or corrections as needed.

 

 

  • Keep your older horse moving. The saying “use it or lose it” applies. Exercise will help your older horse stay loose, keep muscle tone, and have some valuable brain stimulus. Try and avoid your older horse becoming a weekend warrior, a little bit of exercise every day is better than marathon sessions on the weekend.

 

two old horses headed out for a trail ride

Taking the old gents for a spin!

 

  • Be conscious of his blanketing needs in winter. Does he need a neckpiece for some more warmth?

 

  • Monitor him for signs of metabolic issues. Fat deposits, hair growth (or loss), cresty necks, etc. Be sure to talk to your veterinarian about how to spot early signs. Many Veterinarians routinely perform blood tests to check for metabolic issues – long before signs show up.

 

  • Understand that his warm-up and cool-down may take longer. Take more walk breaks if you need to when exercising. Consult with your veterinarian and trainer about appropriate levels of fitness and exercise for your older guy.

 

Go above and beyond for your senior guy:

 

  • A set of hoof x-rays to make sure his shoeing job is on target, about every 6 months. This is a good idea for any horse, really.

 

  • Basic blood work and urinalysis, done about every 6 months, just to check.

 

  • Checkups with the veterinarian for some flexions, even if I don’t feel like he’s “off”. I’d rather catch it early than when some arthritis makes him really “off”.

 

  • Preventative maintenance with joint supplements. Look for one with actual science behind it – not just testimonials!

 

  • Ice treatments after an exercise session, which is also a good idea for everyone!. Rubdowns, poultice, liniments, and extra care for his legs often. Massages!

 

  • I allow him, and encourage him, to be a horse. Lots of rolling for his back and neck. I’ll deal with the dirt.

 

 

vet taking blood from the jugular vein of a horse

Bloodwork can alert your vet to metabolic changes

 

For any horse in your care, regardless of age, it’s up to you as the caretaker to work with your group of equine professionals to determine the program and monitor for changes.

 

go shopping button for horse products

If you want to easily shop for horse supplies, you can click these links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, which are not a penny more for you. I couldn’t be more grateful for your support!

ADC Veterinary Thermometer, Dual Scale, Adtemp 422 – For easy temperature taking

3M Littmann Classic III Monitoring Stethoscope, Black Edition Chestpiece, Black Tube, 27 inch, 5803 – For finding heart rate and gut sounds

 

Fast and easy weight tape for your horse.

 

Uptite Poultice – the clay kind!

Sore No More Liniment Bottle – pick your size

Back on Track Limber Up LiniMint Leg and Body Brace

Vetrolin Liniment