Signs of Ageing in Horses

Signs of Ageing in Horses

Wondering if your horse is starting to age?

Not sure when to classify your horse as a "senior"?

Here are some tips for recognising that your horse is aging:

Signs that Your Horse is Aging

Older horses find it harder to effectively absorb nutrients from their diet. This directly affects the way they look, behave and feel.

Of course, age is important. Basically, one can say that horses can be considered seniors from 15 to 18 years old. To really tell when your horse is getting older, a lot of signs are visible.

Here are the main signs:

  • Gray muzzle
  • Stiff gait
  • Decreasing muscle mass
  • Reduced energy and stamina
  • Decreased coat quality
  • Inability to maintain weight on a normal diet
  • Small, chewed lumps of hay around the food dispenser (due to dental problems)

Once your horse is starting to age, you should adjust their feed. Here are the most important tips:

  1. Feed them more high-quality protein (lysine, methionine, and other amino acids) to support their metabolisms and maintain muscle mass and hoof quality
  2. Add a higher fat content for extra calories, It is also important to pay attention to an adequate supply of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
  3. Consider using pre- and probiotic supplements to aid digestion
  4. Make sure they get an adequate supply of trace elements
  5. Supplement more calcium and phosphorus to keep the bones strong
  6. Soft, high-fibre pellets that are easy to chew. If their dental problems are already well advanced, you can also make a mash by softening the pellets with water.