SENIOR HORSE: how to take care of it?

With advances in veterinary medicine, nutrition, and animal management, horses today are living longer. This longevity is a blessing for passionate owners, but it also comes with specific challenges and senior horses require special attention. They have special needs, both physically and behaviorally. By understanding these particularities and adopting appropriate care, especially with natural solutions, we can offer these faithful companions a peaceful and comfortable retirement. This article details the characteristics of the senior horse, the care to be given to it and the role of natural products in its support.

The particularities of the senior horse

A horse is generally considered senior from the age of 18, although this varies depending on the animal and life history. With age, as with all living beings, several physiological and behavioral changes appear:

• Loss of muscle mass: Muscles naturally weaken, horses lose muscle power which reduces physical performance and can lead to joint stiffness. This muscle loss can be exacerbated by a lack of exercise or an inadequate diet.

• Decreased digestive efficiency: Tooth wear and a reduced ability to absorb nutrients compromise digestion and can cause weight loss. In addition, the digestive system becomes more susceptible to disorders such as colic or gastric ulcers among others.

• Osteoarthritis and joint pain: In addition to the decrease in muscle mass, a common problem that causes discomfort in horses, it is osteoarthritis. This progressive destruction of the cartilage of the joints leads to pain and therefore limits movement. Osteoarthritis is often accompanied by morning stiffness and a gradual reduction in flexibility.

• Weakened immune system: senior horses are more vulnerable to infections and diseases, requiring increased vigilance to avoid complications from viruses and epidemics.

• Behavior: As in humans, advancing age is a common factor in behavior. Some animals become calmer, while others show signs of anxiety or stress related to their loss of autonomy. Their social habits may also change, with an increased need for rest and less interaction with their fellow human beings.

These physiological and behavioural changes make it essential to provide appropriate care to preserve their well-being. Each animal is different, so the care must be adapted to each one.

Essential Care for an Older Horse

Several areas should be considered in the care of a senior animal in order to allow it to maintain good health for as long as possible.

• Specific diet: As we have seen, chewing can be more complicated with age because of the wear and tear of the teeth, and digestion can be more difficult as well. It is therefore necessary to adapt the diet. We advise you to choose high-quality forages, supplemented by easy-to-digest, fibre-rich and energy-friendly feeds. Older horses can also benefit from additional rations in the form of mashes or minced preparations.

• Hydration: In addition to an adapted diet, it is necessary to ensure that the horse does not lack water, which contributes to the evolution of the feed ration in the digestive system. Make sure they have access to clean, temperate water, as insufficient hydration can worsen digestive problems.

• Regular health monitoring: Of course, regular veterinary monitoring is to be put in place, thus making it possible to anticipate and treat common problems such as osteoarthritis, infections, or digestive disorders. Tooth control and proper trimming are also essential. Variations in weight or changes in behavior are signs that should not be taken lightly.

• Moderate physical activity: Old age should not be synonymous with inactivity. Gentle mobilization is crucial to avoid stiffness and maintain flexibility. Walking exercises, hand outings or equine therapy can be considered. The goal is to stimulate the muscles and joints without putting excessive strain on them.

• Stress management: In order to protect senior horses from stress, we advise you to set up a stable routine, especially for those who are isolated or have undergone changes in their environment. Regular interactions with their fellow dogs or their owner are also important for their mental serenity.

Complement with natural products to improve your quality of life

“We are what we eat”
This adage highlights the importance of nutrients for all living things. The diet of the senior horse must be adapted, as we have seen in the previous point. You can also supplement your pet’s food ration with natural products, in order to provide everything he needs to live well in retirement. Among the solutions available, we have designed our Naturacheval complementary feeds to guarantee you efficiency, quality and respect for your horse.

MUSCLE STRENGTHENING
The plants it contains promote appetite and the assimilation of nutrients from the food ration to maintain or develop the animal’s muscle mass. For active horses, it promotes better muscle recovery after exercise and avoids contractures. However, it is also suitable for horses that practice a light activity, thus preserving their tone.

STOP’ ULCE
Indicated to protect the digestive system from ulcers, which are common in stressed horses or horses with digestive difficulties, this supplement acts both as a preventive measure to support digestion and to avoid colic or gastric disorders.

ARTHRI’ CALM
Developed from harpagophytum with naturally recognized inflammatory properties, our complementary food helps to soften movement by improving joint lubrication. As a preventive measure, it considerably slows down the progression of osteoarthritis.

REGEN’ ACTIVE
A precious ally to stimulate blood circulation, and bring blood from the feet to the heart. A senior horse is more inactive than a young horse, so this complementary feed compensates for this immobility, and avoids the risk of engorgement, laminitis and lymphangitis.

ANTI’ STRESS
For anxious horses, our natural product acts directly on the central nervous system and promotes the mental well-being and emotional balance of the animal.

These products, designed from natural and French ingredients, have been developed to improve the quality of life of our beloved horses. Respecting their physiology and needs, they can be administered without risk, occasionally or as a long-term cure, in order to accompany horses throughout their lives.

Conclusion

Each senior horse is unique and deserves special attention. Adopting a personalized approach, based on a balanced diet, regular follow-up and adapted activities, allows him to offer him a comfortable retirement. Our natural products, developed specifically for horses, provide valuable support to prevent age-related problems and improve their overall well-being. By combining these elements, you will help your companion to age in the best possible conditions, with an optimal quality of life. Constant attention, combined with natural solutions and the right care, can turn your last years into a period of happiness and serenity. Enjoy:)