In recent years, there has been an increase in the average life expectancy of horses. This increase has been due in part to the abandonment of the use of horses as working animals and their increasing use in sport and leisure, as well as to the provision of better health care and greater knowledge about the species in general.
With this increase in age, new challenges have arisen, namely in maintaining an adequate body condition. There are several factors that affect the maintenance of an adequate body condition in senior horses.
Digestive efficiency
In general, we see a decrease in digestive efficiency in older horses. Absorption capacity is limited by age-related changes in the intestinal epithelium, which limits the passage of nutrients into the bloodstream.
The production of the enzyme amylase, necessary for the digestion of starch, is also reduced, impairing pre-cecal digestion of starch and increasing the arrival of starch in the large intestine and consequent intestinal acidosis – which makes the horse more prone to “colic” and laminitis. Protein digestion and absorption is also particularly affected in senior horses, which contributes to muscle degradation.
For these reasons, a gastric supplement and/or a concentrated feed “cereal free”, can ensure or complement the senior horse’s diet.
GASTROBALANCE
GASTRO PRO
Bad teeth
Age-related tooth wear and/or loss are detrimental to gripping, chewing and salivation. Insufficient chewing and salivation promote the arrival of larger particles into the intestinal lumen, hindering the action of enzymes and microbiota, which compromises digestive efficiency.
Complementary forage and concentrate foods can ensure or complement the diet of senior horses.
ALFABEET
NATURE MASH
stress / Illness
factors of stress 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 a horse’s water intake, increasing the risk of dehydration and related problems.
Changes in management can also have an impact on body condition. For example, when transitioning to an extensive herd system, the hierarchies that are established can limit intake.
Chronic weight loss and consequent decline in body condition may also be related to disease states and/or chronic pain. Infectious problems, arthritis, kidney dysfunction, allergic or tumoral conditions, among other conditions, may justify loss of body condition.