Horse Facts and Equestrian Sports

Horse Health - Caring For An Older Horse

July 1st, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed

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Quality of life is as big an issue for the animals we care for as it is for ourselves, it’s never easy on us when we have to watch the animals we love so much get old and infirm. Maintaining good horse health in an older animal can be difficult, it has to be approached in a totally different way. It is very important that you make sure that you’re providing your older horse with the appropriate care. There are many things that you can do to make certain that your elderly horse is capable of enjoying a productive and happy life that he will enjoy for a long time.

Retired Horse Grazing It is essential that, when your horse reaches retirement age and you are no longer riding him hard, you turn him out onto good quality pasture where he can spend his retirement. This ought to be an area where he can be with other horses. Horses are social animals and need company, it should also be an area that is big enough for him to wander as he wants. Ideally the pasture should have an area that is sheltered, whether this is a barn or some other structure that the horse can use when it is raining or cold. In other words give your faithful friend a pasture that allows him to choose what he wants to do, and provides the wherewithal for him to do it.

If you spend a lot of time with your horse, you need to still spend time with him when he is older and retired. He will have grown used to your company and will be lonely if you abandon him, thinking a life with no work is enough for him. It isn’t - he still needs your love and affection. Company of some sort is vital to the horse’s well being. You often see older horses pastured with a donkey for company and they do get on well together, but a horse on his own in a field is a sad sight.

Regular visits ensure that your horse’s health needs are met and that he is getting any medical care that he needs. You need to be aware of any changes in his behavior - this can be the first sign of an illness or an injury, If this is the case you need to be sure you are taking care of it at once. An older horse will be more prone to injuries and ailments so make certain that you are watch him carefully and deal with anything that needs to be done as soon as possible.

Your horse has given you many years of service, fun and companionship and to spend a little time and effort on ensuring that his retirement care conforms to good horse health guidelines is the least he deserves.