1. Nutrition: The Foundation of Senior Horse Care

Nutrition is often the number one concern for aging horses. As horses grow older, their ability to chew and digest forage can decline due to changes in their teeth and temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Ensuring your horse receives easily digestible, high-quality nutrition becomes a top priority.

Many senior horses benefit from soaked feeds that require minimal chewing. Senior-specific grain formulations, combined with soaked hay pellets or cubes, are excellent choices to support their nutritional needs. Importantly, all pelleted or cubed feeds should be soaked to reduce the risk of choke—a common issue in older horses with reduced chewing or swallowing ability.

During your horse’s biannual wellness visit, take time to review their feeding plan with your veterinarian. A tailored nutrition program can make all the difference in helping your older horse thrive.

2. Oral Health: A Key to Comfort and Proper Nutrition

Oral care is closely linked to nutrition. Older horses often require dental exams every six months to catch issues like loose teeth, sharp points, or oral infections early. As tooth roots shorten with age, teeth can become unstable, making chewing painful or difficult.

Even previously managed dental problems may worsen with time. Close and consistent dental monitoring helps ensure your horse remains comfortable and able to eat properly.

Picture from https://equineendocrinologygroup.org/

3. Endocrine Disorders: Recognizing Hormonal Shifts

Hormonal conditions like Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID, or Cushing's Disease) and Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) are common in senior horses. In fact, studies suggest that up to 30% of aging horses may have Cushing’s Disease.

Left untreated, these conditions can increase the risk of laminitis and infections. A yearly wellness exam, including bloodwork, can help identify and manage these diseases before complications arise.

4. Musculoskeletal Health: Keeping Them Moving

Osteoarthritis is another prevalent issue in aging horses. Regular turnout on safe, comfortable footing encourages gentle movement, which is essential for maintaining joint health and comfort.

In some cases, daily medications or joint supplements may be recommended to support mobility. Maintaining muscle mass is equally important, as older horses lose muscle tone with age and reduced activity. Encouraging light exercise and turnout supports both physical and mental well-being.

Soft tissue injuries are also more likely in older horses. Appropriate conditioning and management strategies can help prevent and manage these issues effectively.

5. Immune System & Parasite Control: Staying Vigilant

The immune system weakens with age, making older horses more susceptible to illness and intestinal parasites. Regular fecal testing (ideally twice a year) paired with strategic deworming helps keep parasites under control.

Older horses are also more prone to infection, so daily observation and prompt action when changes are noticed—such as lethargy, decreased appetite, or swelling—are crucial.

6. Eye Care: Monitoring Age-Related Changes

Changes to the lens of the eye are common in senior horses and generally occur gradually, allowing horses time to adapt. However, sudden changes in vision or signs of blindness are not normal and should be evaluated by your veterinarian promptly.

7. Skin & Tumor Surveillance

Skin tumors, including sarcoids and melanomas, become more common with age. Any new or changing mass should be examined to determine the best course of action for treatment or monitoring.

8. Weather Sensitivity: Shelter Is Essential

Older horses often have a harder time regulating body temperature and may struggle more in extreme heat, cold, or wet weather. Providing adequate shelter and appropriate blanketing helps them stay comfortable and avoid unnecessary stress.