Feeding the senior horse - Old Horse Care
Like 2 Dislike 0 Published on 24 Mar 2014
The older (senior or geriatric) horse needs special care and different feeding management. This is Shantzy, a 32 y/o Arabian mare that can't keep weight on while on grass. Healthy otherwise and not ready to leave this earth. See what we accomplished by simply changing feed and management. For more information on senior horses and their care, please subscribe to this channel and/or visit: www.LoFoSoEquineBehaviour.com
COMMON PROBLEMS WITH GERIATRIC HORSES:
- inefficient absorption of nutrients
- aging digestive tract
- insufficient chewing action
- loss of teeth
- insufficient production of digestive enzymes
- insufficient saliva production
- too much competition from herd members
TYPICAL OLDER HORSE DISEASES:
- cushing's disease
- colic due to all of the above
- ulcers due to insufficient saliva production (saliva neutralizes stomach acid)
- Laminitis due to improper digestion in the small intestines
- other pituitary dysfunction
- Liver dysfunction
- kidney dysfunction
- reduced immune function
- reduced metabolic rate
- Recurrent airway obstruction
- summer pasture-associated obstructive pulmonary disorder (SPAOD)
- pain due to arthritis or other
Read more at: www.lofosoequinebehaviour.com