Solving the Problem of Weight With Senior Horses
A large problem with older horses is keeping them at a healthy weight. Feeding horses can be complex, especially when it comes to seniors. Animals that are 20 calendar years old are considered senior. Maintaining body weight and meeting nutritional needs are top priority. Most senior horses are lacking in a full set of molars to chew and break down grain and forage. Even with regular dental care, breed and genetics contribute to loss of teeth over time.
Owners must pay specific attention to any change in a senior horses eating habits and signs of losing weight. These aged equines should be fed in a solitary setting with adequate time to take in the ration without the threat of another horse running them off the feed before they are done. Also, it is important to note if any feed is leftover after the horse eats.
Feed manufacturers have developed many types of senior horse feed with varying size, texture, taste and protein percentage. A typical 1,200-pound horse should consume 6-12 pounds of pelleted feed per day with added forage. If feeding solely pellets the ration should be 10-14 pounds daily. This type of feed has 14 percent protein and 5 percent fat. In addition, the feed contains 16 percent fiber which is highly digestible to support good gut health. There are amino acids and trace minerals to help support a health immune system. Senior feed has controlled starch and sugar levels with prebiotics for metabolic concerns.
While a pelleted feed is a good source of complete nutrition, the pelleted form may be hard to chew for the senior horse. It is best to soak the pellets with adequate water and time to break down the pellets into a pliable mash. Providing the wet mash limits the possibility of choke in horses, due to eating too rapidly. The mash can be made with warm or cold water, depending on the climate the horse lives in and outside temperatures.
Most horses want to eat forage such as dry hay. Senior horses without the necessary teeth to grind up the hay can be provided an alternative. Pellets and cubes are available to meet nutritional requirements and allow the animal to spend more time-consuming calories safely. Several different combinations of alfalfa and grass hay are on the market and easy to find at a retailer. Once again, these products should be adequately soaked with water and only fed after the break down has occurred into a mash or slurry.
Senior horses are usually on light work, if not retired from use completely. The animal still requires 10-15 gallons of clean water daily. Another issue in senior horses is the adequate consumption of water. Additives can be necessary to ensure hydration and encourage the horse to drink. Powdered electrolytes and flavor enhanced products are available to try and see what the animal prefers.
We have a 37-year-old quarter horse gelding that has lost all his molars and only has front teeth, top and bottom. This means he cannot chew or breakdown any whole or hard feed. Over the past several years we have developed feed rations and a feeding schedule that is working well for him. Currently this horse weighs 1,175 pounds.
To start the day his morning ration is as follows: 2 pounds Senior pellets, 2 pounds Complete pellets, 1 scoop Gentle Gut probiotic pellets, 1 tablespoon white salt, 1 tablespoon trace minerals, and 1-gallon warm water. The pellets are soaked for 3 to 5 minutes and become mash which is like a very watery oatmeal consistency. Mash makes for easier swallowing and less chance to choke on any large or dry pellets. The next feeding is 30 minutes later and consists of 3 pounds of alfalfa pellets, soaked with one half gallon of warm water. The pellets need to soak for 10-15 minutes to become soft and mash like.
This horse is fed small meals throughout the day to promote digestion and elimination. The next feeding is 4 hours later consisting of 5 pounds of Complete 12% pelleted feed, soaked with one half gallon of warm water.
Four hours later the horse is given 3 pounds of Senior pellets, soaked with one half gallon of warm water.
The evening feeding is another large feeding of: 2 pounds Senior pellets, 2 pounds Complete pellets, 1 scoop Gentle Gut probiotic supplement, 1 tablespoon white salt, 1 tablespoon trace minerals and 1-gallon warm water. 30 minutes after the mash mixture he is fed 3 pounds of alfalfa pellets, soaked with one half gallon of warm water until broken down into a soft mash.
The last feeding late evening for this horse is 7 pounds alfalfa cubes soaked in 2 gallons of warm water. The breakdown of the cubes takes 3 hours to absorb the water and become soft and easy for him to swallow. This amount of forage is a large feeding to hold the horse over until the first feeding the next morning.
This horse enjoys treats and can be given carrots if they are shredded or grated into very small bits. Two pounds of carrots can be given at one time for a refreshing snack. Processed horse treats can be given as long as they are crushed into a powder, soaked with warm water and made into a mash. Treats are extra calories and can cause weight gain, but for an older horse that is struggling to maintain a healthy weight giving treats shouldn’t be a concern.
Even senior horses need a decent amount of daily exercise to keep muscles from atrophying. Walking is the best exercise for an animal that is aging as long as they aren’t being overstressed from heat, humidity or extreme cold temperatures. If a horse has an area big enough to walk in and won’t exercise on it’s own, then hand walking for 15 minutes twice a day is necessary. Often senior horses can’t be turned out with younger horses because they will be picked on causing stress. Stress can lead to colic and that is a serious condition in any age horse.
Advanced age in horses is anything over 30 calendar years. A senior horse should have annual veterinary examinations and fecal tests for possible worms. Blood work can also be done to determine if there are any underlying health conditions that a physical exam fails to find. Yearly dental exams are important and maintaining good jaw condition in addition to the front teeth health are vital to a senior horse.
Comments
Post a Comment