Feed and Supplement Correctly

senior horse

Senior Horse - How Should I Feed?

Considering the constraints and limitations that a senior horse presents, the feeding management must be effectively adjusted in order to favor the maintenance of the same body condition, which can sometimes be challenging.

Water 

It is essential to monitor water consumption in these horses. In winter, the temperature of the water can discourage its intake, so we must be particularly careful to ensure that water needs are met. In summer, on the other hand, the increase in temperature requires a greater intake of water, to ensure correct hydration. Adding electrolytes to the diet may be a good strategy.

REHIDRAMAX

fodder  

Forage is a vital component of the diet. In senior horses it is particularly important to use good quality forage, considering that the intake and digestive efficiency may be reduced (particularly when there are dental problems).

Forage may be sufficient to meet energy needs, in which case a balancer should be added in order to provide protein (in particular lysine), vitamins and minerals according to needs.

BALANCE

If the forage is not sufficient to meet the energy requirements, consider the inclusion of a food suitable for senior horses and/or a fat source complement (for example flax oil), in order to increase the energy supply. Give preference to a compound feed administered in the form of "porridge", given the characteristic dental difficulties of the senior horse.

NATURE MASH

Difficulties in forage intake related to dental problems can be overcome using forage sources in the form of granules or cubes soaked in water.

ALFABEET

WAFERS

Compound foods    

Concentrated feeds suitable for senior horses generally contain a fibrous ingredient such as lucerne or beetroot, and are formulated in such a way that they can be administered in greater quantities compared to a regular concentrate feed, in order to supply part of the fiber needs of these animals. .

As protein absorption in the senior horse is reduced, the concentrate feed should provide a higher protein content and should be a good source of lysine (a limiting amino acid in the horse).

The incorporation of fat makes it possible to obtain a caloric increase without increasing non-structural carbohydrates (starch and sugars), which should be reduced in the diet of these horses (particularly in animals with Cushing's Syndrome or insulin resistance).

NATURE MASH

GASTRO PRO

The levels of vitamins and minerals provided should consider the decrease in the digestive efficiency of these animals. There may be greater oxidative stress in these animals, so adequate levels of primary antioxidants, vitamin C and E should be ensured.

supplementation

Supplementation with probiotics may be beneficial, as well as the use of chondroprotectors in horses affected by joint disease.

GASTROBALANCE

ARTIPLUS

READ RELATED ARTICLES

Feed and Supplement Correctly

senior horse

Senior Horse - Why is it so difficult to maintain body condition?

In recent years there has been an increase in the average life expectancy of horses. This increase was due, in part, to the abandonment of the use of the horse as a working animal and increasing use in sport and leisure, as well as the provision of better health care and greater knowledge regarding the species in general.

With this increase in age, new challenges have emerged, namely in maintaining an adequate body condition. There are several factors that condition the maintenance of an adequate body condition in the senior horse.

digestive efficiency 

In general, we see a decrease in digestive efficiency in senior horses. Absorptive capacity is limited by age-related changes in the intestinal epithelium, which limit the passage of nutrients into the bloodstream.

The production of the enzyme amylase, necessary for the digestion of starch, is also reduced, impairing its pre-cecal digestion and enhancing the arrival of starch in the large intestine and a consequent intestinal acidosis ? that makes the horse more predisposed to ?colics? and laminitis. Protein digestion and absorption is also particularly affected in the senior horse, which contributes to muscle breakdown.

For these reasons, a gastric supplement and/or a concentrated feed “grain free”, may ensure or supplement the senior horse's diet.

GASTROBALANCE

GASTRO PRO

bad teething

Wear and/or tooth loss associated with age are detrimental to prehension, mastication and salivation. Insufficient chewing and salivation promotes the arrival of larger particles to the intestinal lumen, hindering enzymatic and microbiota action, which compromises digestive efficiency.

Complementary forage and concentrated feeds may ensure or complement the senior horse's diet.

ALFABEET

NATURE MASH

stress / Illness

factors of stress such as temperature can have a significant impact on a senior horse. Low temperatures particularly affect senior horses because internal heat-producing mechanisms, such as intestinal fiber fermentation, may be limited. Low temperatures can also limit the horse's water intake, increasing the risk of dehydration and associated problems.

Also changes in management can have an impact on body condition. For example, in the transition to an extensive herd regime, the hierarchies that are established can limit intake.  

Chronic weight loss and consequent decrease in body condition may also be related to disease states and/or chronic pain. Infectious problems, arthritis, kidney dysfunction, allergic or tumor conditions, among other conditions, can justify loss of body condition.

READ RELATED ARTICLES