As with mature horses, senior horse and ponies are not typically classified by a specific age. They are often labeled senior or geriatric when they require specialized care or exhibit certain signs. Senior horses can be happy and healthy and remain active well into their later years with special care and management.
Visible signs of aging can include failure to maintain muscle tone (e.g., topline) and body condition, rough dull hair coat, elongation of incisor and loss of molar teeth. Many other physiological and metabolic changes may also occur as horses age, for instance:
Reduced absorption of protein and minerals
Reduced immune function
Stiffness resulting from a lifetime of activity
An increased need for antioxidants and vitamins
Don't wait until you start to see these signs before you think of making a change in your horse's diet. Good management and supportive nutrition could help your horse remain active longer.
Below are a few nutrition tips for feeding your Senior horse:
Senior horses at pasture may not require additional calories to maintain an appropriate body condition, but will require the optimum levels of amino acids, vitamins and minerals that are provided in Gro 'n Win®.
For senior horses that require additional calories, adding Ultimate Finish™ fat supplements to the Gro 'n Win® diet will supply the additional calories necessary to help maintain a healthy body condition.
In some cases, senior horses cannot utilize forage efficiently due to poor teeth. Always monitor your horse's eating behavior to identify quidding (expulsion of partially chewed feed or forage from the mouth). If your horse has trouble eating forage, a complete feed such as Senior Pellet or Wrangler®, which is fortified with Gro 'n Win® , is recommended.
All horses are unique and seniors are no exception. There are perhaps four categories that your Senior horse may fall into. These four categories include:
"Young At Heart" - maintains weight easily and is clinically normal
This horse is old in years but still acts "young." They can easily maintain body weight and condition on a balanced maintenance diet; they are still active and are clinically normal. Advice: Continue on current management program but closely monitor weight and maintain a good dental and de-worming program. Consider using a feed such as Gro 'n Win® or Senior, designed for older horses who are maintaining weight.
"Middle Age Spread" - gaining weight but is clinically normal
This horse is old in years and is still functioning normally, but due to reduced levels of physical activity tends to gain weight easily. Advice: Consider reducing the energy content of the diet but maintain the amino acid, vitamin and mineral intake by utilizing Gro 'n Win® along with quality forage.
"The Hard Keeper" - difficult to maintain weight by clinically normal
This horse is old in years and clinically normal, but is no longer able to maintain weight on a normal diet. Advice: Confirm proper dental and de-worming practices are being provided. Consider changing to a more calorie and nutrient dense diet, such as Gro 'n Win® and Ultimate Finish™, to prevent weight loss and restore optimal condition in older horses.
"The Golden Oldie" - a horse or pony usually over 25 years of age
This is truly geriatric horse, which has one or more physical or metabolic abnormalities as well as old age. Advice: Provide treatment and support for the specific underlying conditions. In addition to that, consider targeted nutritional support where appropriate and choose a diet that either helps reduce, maintain or increase weight of your older horse.
Gro 'n Win® or Gro 'n Win® Alfa are perfect feeding options for your senior horses. Health concerns for older horses are laminitis, insulin resistance, obesity, Equine Cushing's disease (Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction) and colic.
Gro 'n Win® is an excellent choice for your senior horse or pony. Gro 'n Win® has a superior amino acid balance that helps to maintain topline and overall muscle condition that can diminish as your horse ages. The use of flaxseed and increased levels of Omega-3 fatty acids help to improve hair coat and the bioavailable vitamins and minerals provide better absorption in older horses. Gro 'n Win® is a low-calorie, low-starch and sugar, and low-glycemic formula that helps your senior horse maintain a healthy metabolism.
