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Advances in medical treatment and care as well as nutrition mean that we have more senior horses with us than ever before.
The oldest horse recorded in the Guinness Book of Records was “Old Billy” who was born in 1760 in England and died on November 22, 1822 at the age of 62.
The greatest age reliably recorded for a pony is 54 years for a stallion who lived in France and for a Moorland pony name “Joey”, 44 years. All well cared for.
A horse at 6 months of age is equivalent to a 6 year old child, at 12 months it is equivalent to a 12 year old child, at 2 years an 18 year old child and the thereafter 12 months of a horses life is equal to 3 years of human life. A 20 year old senior horse is equivalent to a 6 decades in a person.
Although the average life span of a horse is often said to be 24 years, many well cared for horses age gracefully and usefully, continuing to be ridden and have foals. These senior horses can make ideal “school masters” for those learning to ride. The more inexperienced the rider is, the older and more experienced the horse should be – there is a saying that: the combined age of the horse and rider should exceed 20 years.
Older cared for senior horses are usually very sweet, have a kind nature and will be gentle with young riders – making them valuable and deserving of being well looked after. And those that have given much during their riding years, are healthy and enjoying life, but can no longer be ridden, can continue on to age well if a few small adjustments are made to accommodate and care for their changing requirements.
The physical changes that accompany aging include graying of the coat, swaying of the back, prominence of the backbone, arthritis, anemia, susceptibility to respiratory and skin conditions, changes in teeth, reduced salvation, and 20% reduction in the ability to digest and absorb certain nutrients.
Physical Changes in older senior horses:
Body System
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Changes in Older Horses
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Effect of Changes
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Teeth
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Wear down, reduced saliva
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Chewing and swallowing problems
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Digestive System
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Reduced digestion and absorption
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Need 20% more feed or a 20% mores digestible feed
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Coat and Skin
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Dryness and dermatitis
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Need oils and correct Omega 3 to Omega 6 balance
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Blood Glucose
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Cannot tolerate raw grains well
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Need highly digestible fibre and higher oil diet
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Anemia
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Red blood cell production changes
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Trace mineral, vitamin and iron intake must be optimal
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Vitamins
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Less able to synthesize vitamin C and B
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Vitamins in feed must be readily absorbed and supplement offered.
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Calcium & Phosphorus
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Reduced absorption and ratios must be correct
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Mineral absorption is reduced
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Joints
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Arthritis and chronic wear and tear
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Softer bones, lameness. Diet needs adequate zinc, copper, selenium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and manganese
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Hooves
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Increased risk of laminitis and weak hooves
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Diet needs adequate protein, zinc, biotin
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Respiratory System
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Prone to allergic conditions
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Feed should be clean and dust free
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