The Healthy Senior Horse

very challenging. First try to determine the reason for weight loss. Worm infestation ulcers infections liver or kidney disease even cancer can cause weight loss. Pain and mental stress can also make it difficult for your horse to hold a normal weight. The most common reason for weight loss in older horses however is poor teeth. Soaked hay cubes or chopped forage fed freechoice will meet forage requirements. Extra calories can be provided in a variety of ways but avoid cereal grains. Horses are more prone toward developing Cushings disease as they age and should be fed a low starch diet. Additional fat through flaxseed meal and rice bran are safer ways to help your horse gain weight without the risk of starch. Additional protein from alfalfa will boost protein quality while adding extra calories while a good preprobiotic will allow for more calorie production from the hindgut microbes.
Other agerelated problems
Joint and muscle deterioration. Most horses if not all over the age of 20 will develop arthritis to some degree. Stall confinement makes arthritis worse and makes muscles tight. Mild exercise helps lubricate stiff joints and builds up surrounding muscles. Even if you dont ride your horse the more pasture turnout he gets the better off hell be.
Tendons and ligaments lose elasticity over time and muscle mass starts to decline. There are several nutrients that I find helpful in boosting joint and connective tissue strength and lean body mass gamma oryzanol branched chain amino acids vitamin B6 vitamin C and vitamin E.
The bottom line is
Your horses genetic background combined with his health status throughout his growing and adult years will influence how well he ages. If he was fed well all his life with attention paid toward filling in nutritional gaps he will likely live longer and with fewer ailments. You are the best judge of how well your senior horse is aging. By keeping track of his weight his eating habits and his overall condition you can make appropriate adjustments to his diet that will impact his health and overall quality of life.