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 Expert
Posts: 2128
  
| I have brought my old man (24) to my home place so that I can keep a closer eye on him. Also because I guess he has gotten wise in his old age and has figured out how to jump the cattle gap and go for midnight strolls whenever he pleases. I got him 18 years ago when I was 10. He toated me all over the country (or at least anywhere within riding distance), and was my best pal during my childhood. He has always maintained a spunky attitude and healthy weight until recently he has fallen off slightly. I am going to have his teeth checked and floated, start him on Equine Senior, and worm him. He will also get weekly groomings and probably a treat here and there :). What else do you all do to care for your old friends? |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 448
Location: lone star state | Soaked alfalfa pellets. You can get them to a shake like texture that they will drink like a shake/smoothie . Will have to get them used to the wet by slowly working up to drinkable texture. |
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Regular
Posts: 79
| I have three senior horses (34, 27 and 26) and I don't do anything special at this point except let them be horses. All three, even the 34 year old, has all their teeth so they continue to get fed a senior feed and regular hay. They are out 24/7 except in the dead of winter, they are stalled at night only. All three grow great Winter coats (I'm in Illinois). Other than that, I am fortunate to not have any medical issues with any of them....I don't ride the 34 year old, but the other two get ridden frequently... |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 595
Location: North Dakota | I get my 23 year old geldings teeth done every year since he was 16. Keeps them eating good. He gets all the grass hay his heart desires and whole oats with his herbs.
I would blanket your older guy as well if he is underweight and the weather is turning cold or he will use extra energy to keep warm and continue to lose or will not gain.
My older guy has done the best on Cur-OST total support as it keeps his joints feeling good and gives him lots of energy still.
While I don't feed any commercial feeds to my older gelding. I would be careful at which senior feed you choose to feed. Not all are created equal. |
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 Own It and Move On
Location: The edge of no where | My old man is pretty simple. I keep his teeth maintained (what's left of them), he gets alfalfa twice a day and roams around grazing the rest of the time. Only blanket on extremely cold nights, he grows a thick winter coat and gets under the shelter. I think as long as you can keep them out of the wind and keep them dry - most of the older ones are ok. Other than that - he just gets daily belly scratches & treats. He's 27 this year and still pretty sassy. He's been with me 24 years. |
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 Hummer's Hero
Posts: 3071
Location: Smack Dab in the Middle | We have a 28 and 29 year old. Neither of them have any teeth left. They are on about 38 acres of Bermuda grass and crab grass, with a little native grass here and there. I'm the winter we plant about 15 acres of winter wheat for them, because they simply cannot eat hay. They have been on Equine Senior (no supplements, retired sound)for over 10 years, but now we soak it in hot water. The soaking has been the difference maker for them between enjoying retirement or having to put them down.
I also have a 21 year old that my boys ride who still has great teeth and is thriving on just 2# of Strategy a day, bottom of the totum pole with the riding horses. But I think she could stay fat on air at this point.
Here's the two oldies at the retirement home...
Not bad for no teeth :)
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 Stinky Cat Owner
Posts: 4097
Location: Oregon | My old guy is 26 this year and I've had him since he was born as I owned his mother. Saw him come into the world, will be at his side when he leaves. I love this horse so much and he's the most naughty boy, but has taught me the most. Anyways - I feed him Purina Equine senior, am religious about his teeth/feet/worming, feed him Tight Joints Plus and Mega Oil. He also has about two acres off his stall that he can graze on. And although I let him hair up as much as possible and let his hair get thicker, I do blanket him when it's snowy or icy, and I do keep a sheet on him when we get a cold rain. Always extra grass hay in front of him. I didn't blanket him in the winter a couple years ago and he immediately dropped weight so I went back to the plan I've always done and he's always good through winter. He is a super pampered boy in his old age lol. If you go to mine or the Tight Joints FB I posted a video of him and he's acting like a teenager! lol Love him.
Edited by Katie's 2016-11-17 10:20 AM
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Expert
Posts: 2128
| I love seeing all of your oldies and hearing about how well you take care of/cherish them :) :) WARM AND FUZZIES!! I feel it is the least we can do for one that has taken care of us, to take care of them. |
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Expert
Posts: 1207
| Those that have the retired 20+, do you still have their feet maintained? My farrier that I presently have is having trouble trimming my old guy's back feet. My old guy cannot bear weight on 3 legs for very long and the farrier is old a frail also (although he is not 60 years old yet). Might be time to shope around for a new farrier. |
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Own It and Move On
Location: The edge of no where | Sandok - 2016-11-17 3:33 PM Those that have the retired 20+, do you still have their feet maintained? My farrier that I presently have is having trouble trimming my old guy's back feet. My old guy cannot bear weight on 3 legs for very long and the farrier is old a frail also (although he is not 60 years old yet). Might be time to shope around for a new farrier.
Yep - they're just careful when doing him, he's still sound and gallops all over. He gets trimmed somewhere around 6 -8 weeks. His feet don't grow as fast as they used to. |
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  Neat Freak
Posts: 11216
Location: Wonderful Wyoming | MS2011 - 2016-11-17 2:39 PM Sandok - 2016-11-17 3:33 PM Those that have the retired 20+, do you still have their feet maintained? My farrier that I presently have is having trouble trimming my old guy's back feet. My old guy cannot bear weight on 3 legs for very long and the farrier is old a frail also (although he is not 60 years old yet). Might be time to shope around for a new farrier. Yep - they're just careful when doing him, he's still sound and gallops all over. He gets trimmed somewhere around 6 -8 weeks. His feet don't grow as fast as they used to.
I hear ya. I have a 40+ pony and my farrier is a very spry 72. He still runs a mile every morning. We just take our time with the pony. Only trim him when they are getting long enough that he is needing it, not just when there is finally enough to trim. Honestly I usually trim him, but it is so much easier for someone to help me. I let the pony rest all his weight on me and someone else bends over and nips. We don't worry about pretty, just neccessity. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 595
Location: North Dakota | MS2011 - 2016-11-17 3:39 PM
Sandok - 2016-11-17 3:33 PM Those that have the retired 20+, do you still have their feet maintained? My farrier that I presently have is having trouble trimming my old guy's back feet. My old guy cannot bear weight on 3 legs for very long and the farrier is old a frail also (although he is not 60 years old yet). Might be time to shope around for a new farrier.
Yep - they're just careful when doing him, he's still sound and gallops all over. He gets trimmed somewhere around 6 -8 weeks. His feet don't grow as fast as they used to.
My older gelding gets trimmed every 5 weeks. Proper care of their feet takes strain of the joints. My farrier just knows to take alittle extra time with my older gelding but since he is done every 5 weeks the trim goes pretty quick. |
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | Dan is 37; he gets his feet done when everyone else does. Tom just takes his time with him and doesn't make him hold his legs up long or high. He gets Purina Sr Active and beet pulp and rice bran and CJ Platinum twice a day. He has very few teeth so what hay he does chew on just gets balled up and spit out. He gets his blankie when it hits around 30 degrees. I'm watching him very closely this year because he dropped some weight this summer and I want to make sure that what he's put back on is enough for the winter. I know our time together is getting shorter, and I want to make sure he is happy and comfortable as long as possible. |
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Caring for an old horse
