04/27/2026
In honor of Phil (Zanzabar Lynx)'s big 30th Birthday TODAY 🥳, we wanted to discuss:
🐴Caring for the Senior Horse🐴
Many horses require special care as they age but can remain comfortable and active well into their senior years. Although all quality-of-life decisions should be carefully considered and involve an experienced veterinarian, there are some helpful concepts to be aware of:
Interestingly, a horse’s teeth grow continuously throughout their lifetime. However, as they age, growth will slow (or even stop) until normal wear exceeds new growth. This will dramatically impact the efficiency with which a horse can chew feed. Ingesting stemmy forage (such as grass hay) can become difficult, or even impossible.
Annual dental exams and floats are critical for all horses, but those of advanced age often require more frequent work. For example, Phil has appointments bi-annually in both the spring and fall. Signs of poor dental function include weight loss, lack of appetite (can be related to dental pain), or poor chewing efficiency. “Quidding”, a term for dropping partially chewed forage, is a common symptom of reduced dental function.
Horses with poor dentition are at an increased risk of choke since they may try to swallow partially chewed feed. Choke is often considered a veterinary emergency- many cases require a tubing procedure to clear the obstruction. Signs include coughing, nasal discharge, and even generalized discomfort which can appear similar to colic. Development of aspiration pneumonia may be a concern following an episode of choke since saliva and feed can be inhaled while the horse in in distress.
As dental issues progress, some or all of a horse’s feed may need soaked in water to create a mash. Pellets or cubes should be submerged in water until fully broken down to a porridge consistency. Soaking not only decreases the amount of chewing required but can also be an effective way to reduce the risk of choke.
Unfortunately, it’s all too frequent to see an old horse slowly waste away, even in a lush field or with access to plenty of hay. They want to eat, but quality feed does little good if provided in a form that cannot be readily consumed! Certain feedstuffs (such as stemmy grass or hay) may need replaced with pelleted and/or soaked alternatives.
Additionally, it’s common to notice reduced feed efficiency with age. An animal that was once “fat on air” will often experience increasing caloric demand. In fact, it may take 15-20 pounds of pelleted feed, or more, per day to support a horse who is no longer able to efficiently consume large amounts of baled forage.
It’s worth noting the benefit of dietary fat to add calories without dramatically increasing feed volume. Remember that fat sources, on average, contain about 2.5 times the calories per unit compared to carbohydrate-based options!
Weight maintenance can be especially challenging if certain health conditions and associated medications cause changes in appetite. It’s important to work with a knowledgeable veterinarian to investigate the cause of any appetite issues; they may be able to adjust prescription dosage to manage side effects such as decreased hunger.
Without weighing each item, it’s easy to lose track of how much feed a horse might need daily! As an example, Phil’s diet at age 30 is outlined below:
Breakfast (meal is SOAKED overnight to ensure safety- beet pulp shreds are very dry! He's also able to eat the alfalfa pellets easier when broken down)
o 3 lbs shredded beet pulp (good source of fiber)
o 4 lbs alfalfa pellets (good source of fiber, protein, energy)
o ¾ lbs stabilized rice bran pellets (good source of calories from fat)
Dinner (Not soaked at this time)
o 9 lbs (full serving per label instructions) of complete feed (small, soft pellets)
o 2 cups ground flax (good source of calories from fat)
o 2000 mg vitamin C (to support immune system)
o 2000 IU natural vitamin E (for neuromuscular health)
o Probiotic (to support digestive health)
o 1 tsp plain loose salt (electrolyte)
o 1 cup canola oil (good source of calories from fat)
o Free choice hay/grass- Still able to consume in limited amounts
Elderly horses can also experience increased susceptibility to infections and parasites. Consult a veterinarian regarding vaccine recommendations. F***l analysis should be used to plan a targeted de-worming protocol (refer to the most recent AAEP guidelines).
Phil’s Routine Care:
• Dental exam/float bi-annually
• Hoof trims every 6-8 weeks. Preventative thrush treatments
• Annual f***l test and bi-annual de-worming
• Bi-annual vaccines
• Annual serum vitamin E blood test
Although mobility can be a difficult topic, many options do exist to keep equines active well into old age. Unfortunately, many owners struggle with determining the right time to make difficult end-of-life decisions. Along with keeping a close eye on body condition, it’s valuable to monitor a senior horse’s ability to comfortably lie down and get back up. When this activity becomes precarious, requires multiple attempts, or even human assistance, a discussion should occur regarding the animal’s comfort. It can be extremely distressing for horses, as a prey animal, to go down and be unable to rise on their own.
Depending on the particular climate, super-seniors may require some additional assistance with temperature regulation. Keep a careful eye out for heat and fly related stress in the summer, as well as a reduced tolerance to wet and cold winter conditions!
Planning late-life care can be emotionally challenging, but is critical- Be sure to consult a knowledgeable equine veterinarian for assistance along the way!
At the end of the day, there’s nothing more rewarding than helping an old horse stay at their best for as long as possible. After 15+ years of teaching lessons at Arington Training Stable, giving pony rides to kids of all ages, and helping raise multiple foals, it’s been an honor to care for Phil in his later years.
