Adjusting to the later years
QWhat do owners need to be aware of when it comes to looking after veteran horses? What changes, and how should owners accommodate these changes? Paul Taylor, Derbyshire
Alistair says... One of the most important things is to maintain the level of care your horse receives and not to reduce it just because the horse is older. Just like in older people, older horses are more at risk of a large range of conditions, so being proactive is incredibly important. Their exact needs will differ from one horse to another but, generally, the following would be good advice:
■ Increase the frequency of dental appointments to every three to six months as dictated by your vet or registered equine dental technician. Dental disease is more common in older horses and problems can arise quickly.
■ Blood test for Cushing’s and other diseases once yearly (six monthly if you have concerns). Cushing’s disease affects approximately 20% of horses over the age of 15. It causes a range of symptoms and increases the risk of laminitis.
■ Also ensure a yearly examination from your vet to help detect signs of pain, discomfort or other diseases associated with older age, such as heart conditions, ocular problems, arthritis or tumours.
■ Make sure veteran horses are vaccinated for influenza and tetanus, as elderly horses are more at risk of serious complications from these diseases.
■ Supplements may help if your horse has a clinical condition which would benefit from them, though the evidence for using them as a preventative measure is limited.
■ Some older horses with poor dentition may benefit from a higher-calorie feed, from which the energy is released slowly. There are some excellent veteran feeds with low starch and higher oil levels, which are widely available from most manufacturers. There are also hay-replacement mashes for horses with very poor teeth.
■ Ensure regular six-weekly farriery is maintained.
■ Consider increasing the frequency of faecal egg counts and tapeworm testing, as older horses are more prone to high worm burdens.
■ Watch closely for signs of itching from mites and lice — older horses are much more susceptible to ectoparasites, which live on the outside of their hosts.
■ Older horses with normal body condition can be rugged as normal. Thin horses will need to be monitored and may need warmer rugs in colder weather.