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boon
Posts: 4
| At what age do you consider your horses to be a senior and how do you care for them? I have a mare that will be turning 17, and she isn't showing any signs of slowing down just yet, but I've considered trying to better her daily maintenance regimen. Right now she is just being ridden daily, with normal grain and hay like the other horses. We don't run every weekend, but she still runs pretty regularly. Also, are there any specific things I need to ask my vet or have him check for? *note* Our "horse" vets around here are general vets that basically only do coggins and your average stitches as needed.. If there's anything I should be looking for in particular, I will need to find a new vet! Lol |
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"Heck's Coming With Me"
Posts: 10797
  
Location: Kansas | I wish mine was 17. He still felt like a young horse and solid as a rock at that age. Now he's 27 and I wouldn't even consider riding him. I did start feeding him the supplements recommended for senior horses when he started aging though, for joint care, and believe it did help him. You'll want to watch those teeth. |
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 Take a Picture
Posts: 12841
| My broodmare is 21. I make sure that her teeth and feet are in good shape. She gets loose minerals because she doesn't like Platinum and she gets the same grain as everyone else. |
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | No question that Dan has crossed that "senior" threshold---he's 36!! His riding days are way behind him now. He is on Purina Sr Active, beet pulp, and Platinum Performance CJ. We started feeding him twice a day about 10 days ago because I want a little more weight on him going into winter; I have to balance the weight issue with the arthritis issue and find a happy medium. He quids hay because he has very few teeth left, but I still have his looked at when everyone else gets theirs done. Most people don't believe me when I tell them how old he is, and I'm proud of that. But his age is really showing in his legs now-they creak and he's slow moving when he first starts off. I intend to keep him comfortable and happy until he tells me otherwise. Also have had him on Previcoxx recently, and I'm gonna get some more for those days when he seems stiff; I truly saw a difference when he was on it.
Good luck with your girl and the program that works for you.
Edited by Chandler's Mom 2015-10-22 1:30 AM
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 582
Location: Wherever They Send Me | I have a 23 year old...he gets Equine Senior, beet pulp, timothy/alfalfa pellets (made in to a soup) twice a day. I also have him on a SmartSenior and MannaPro Weight Accelerator (he needs some weight and has diarrhea so Im hoping the added calories and pre/probiotics help with that). He also spends as much time out of his stall as possible (on pasture or dry lot with a hay)...the commercial with "a body in motion stays in motion" comes to mind. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 764
Location: Stephenville, TX | Mine is 31. Has all his teeth but is a picky eater and has been a hard keeper all his life. He currently gets Purina Equine Sr.-prime alfalfa hay and has coastal in front of him at all times. For supplements he gets Fast Track Probiotics,and Gro Strong minerals, Beet Pulp and Rice Bran during winter. I did have him on Triple Crown Complete until he decided he didn't like it anymore so I switched to Equine Sr. and I think he looks a little shinier and his top line looks better. He does get blanketed during winter which helps to keep his weight up and I have him on a good deworming program. I try to keep his vaccinations to the bare minimum since he had a bad reaction last year. He does better penned by himself since it takes him all day long to eat but next to a buddy for comfort and security. Bless all of you who take time and money to keep these seniors living out comfortable lives!
ETA: 17 to me is still young with all the knowledge we have and healthcare products. Keep on riding. They will let you know when they need something. Just be listening.
Edited by BroncoBetty 2015-10-22 1:37 PM
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Regular
Posts: 79
| i have three seniors (33, 27 and 25) .. all in good shape and need very little. All three still have all their teeth and none are even loose. They are turned out 24/7 almost all year except in the Winter ... I start to close 'em in at night when it get down into the 20s. None of them need blankets and all grow nice thick winter coats. They do get hay cubes during the coldest part of the Winter in addition to having access to hay all day and night...i use slow feeder hay net bags. The only supplement they are on is a scoop of Bute-less a day .. I do keep an eye on the 33 year old every year to be sure he continues to grow a good coat .. otherwise, I will buy a blanket for him. |
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My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | Dan also gets Platinum Healthy Weight oil, 1/3 cup twice a day. Even his winter coat is shiny, and I love the calories he's getting from it. Like another poster said, he's also on 24/7 turnout except for the 2 hours a day he's in his stall eating!! (He is in the pasture with 2 other geldings and our mare. Our youngest gelding had to be separated last year because he was running Dan; so he had to go to "jail" because that isn't allowed!!) Blanketed when it hits 30, dewormed regularly, and vaccinated on schedule for the things we've always vaccinated him for. This is a much loved old fart!!
Edited by Chandler's Mom 2015-10-22 9:10 PM
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