Senior Horse Nutrition with SPILLERS

Senior horses come in all shapes and sizes, and some, just like their younger companions, are prone to piling on the pounds. While some owners have battled the bulge for their horse’s entire adult life, others find their senior needs fewer calories once they are retired or in lighter work.

There is a saying that horses survive as long as their teeth, and this is certainly true in the wild! In a domestic setting, however, dental issues—including lost or worn teeth, diastemas (gaps between the teeth), inflamed gums, and even arthritis of the jaw—are among the main reasons for weight loss in older horses.

Senior horses, just like their younger stable mates and field companions, come in all shapes and sizes. Whether your golden oldie is battling the bulge or prone to weight loss, enjoying retirement or still out competing, monitoring their weight and body condition regularly will help you to spot gradual changes and decide if any changes diet and/ or management may be needed.

Many older horses, much like older people, get stiffer with age or have joint disease. In fact, in a recent survey of >5000 horse owners/ carers in the UK, 44% of senior horses and ponies were reported to show signs of stiffness or arthritis (SPILLERS Senior Horse Survey 2024).

Did you know up to one third of the global equine population are thought to be over 15 years of age? That said what most horse owners consider old has shifted to the right over the last few decades.