© Copyright 2020 by SmartPak Equine LLC. A relative lack of food, for example, a horse with a much higher workload being fed the same amount of food. You can feed fat supplements at the manufacturer’s recommended amount based on your horse’s body weight and how much weight gain is needed. Those that most concern owners, handlers, and veterinarians usually relate to diseases, both primary and secondary, parasites, the condition of teeth, mouth and gums, nutritional deficiencies, metabolic disturbances, malabsorption problems, chronic, painful conditions, chronic infections, neoplasia, aging processes, and stereotypies or vices. The reduced ability to absorb nutrients from the diet 1. Old age will manifest in horses differently depending on the breed. Dental problems are often the cause of weight loss (see the related article in Good Horsekeeping on page 18 of this issue). Likewise, horses that live in extremely hot summers may experience a weight loss during the summer due to the suppression of … The high fiber content in senior feed is of value when you have to reduce or eliminate hay (long-stem forage) from the horse’s diet. It is not surprising that as soon as they start to struggle with forage, older horses may lose weight. It’s important to pay close attention to older horses especially, because changes (like weight loss) can happen rapidly. Weight loss can be more common when the seasons change, when the diet is altered, and as horses age. All of our supplement and product expertise is just a text away. As horses grow into their senior years, they often have a hard time maintaining their weight. For example, Cushing’s Disease, a dysfunction of the pituitary gland, can rob a horse of his muscle--especially the topline and bottomline. Was eating hay well. Log on. The most common is if he is an older horse. Take note of how much feed your horse taking in and assess whether it’s the adequate amount of food and if it has all the appropriate ingredients a horse of his age would need to thrive. Education, Comparison However, in order to help prevent this from occurring, keeping the animal physically fit is best. However, if the horse has difficulty maintaining body weight then a higher caloric diet is needed. If you are particular about what kind of pastures your … Friday 9:00 am – 3:00 pm EST, By: Dr. Lydia Gray, SmartPak Medical Director/Staff Veterinarian. “If your horse starts losing weight and his diet has not changed, get the veterinarian out ASAP,” says Ralston. If you did this with a younger horse they will get sick, but so far I have not had a problem with any older horses … Frequently these older horses maintain condition well when good quality pasture is available, but struggle when fed the same feed ration with hay instead of fresh pasture. If you want to fit into that little black dress, don't fret! Energy, fiber, protein and fat are dietary requirements for all horses, but geriatric horses' needs are often different from those of their younger counterparts. Cushings is very common in middle-aged to older horses (18-23 years), and it … Common age related horse disorders. Thansk! Ladies, I get it! Since 1999, our mission has been to use our smarts to power healthy horses and happy riders. They might not be able to chew and ingest their hay like before, either. Moreover, keep track of how much food is actually being consumed as this could be another reason why your horse is having trouble with its weight. Feeding directions need to be followed to make certain enough Senior feed is being fed as these older horses may not be able to utilize forage very efficiently. We've worked hard to build tools to maintain your privacy. Most older horses will gradually develop joint stiffness in the form of ... Liver and kidneys. This often goes hand-in-hand with malnutrition in aging. When we speak of building topline in horses, we are speaking of … Dental problems are one of the leading causes of weight loss in the older horse. Older horses often have reduced natural immunity to parasite infections and may even become positive for parasites normally only seen in foals, like roundworms. Nutritional recommendations for horses with PPID that need to gain weight are more difficult because the need for more calories must be balanced against the adverse effects of worsening insulin resistance. Availability of Amino Acids. All Rights reserved. Might be important to note that he is familiar with this new club and the people, as he has been there several years in a row a while back. Thankfully, there are a number of ways to help your older horses gain back any weight they have lost and prevent additional weight loss in the future. To increase weight … Loss of muscle tone may be especially apparent in the neck, which will manifest as thin and knife-like, and over the topline, which may contribute to a saggy, pot-bellied appearance. One horse may be well into its 20s showing no sign of decline while others show different complications in their teens. Is it an older horse or one without a good hair coat going into winter? Consult your veterinarian if your horse continues to show decline or to address any underlying medical issues. Ralston also recommends feeding older horses several small meals, even four or five times a day, and not more than 0.5% of their total body weight in any given feeding. As horses age, some of their systems begin to function less efficiently. Ask the Vet: Is Your Senior Getting Leaner? This is one cause of weight loss you can control. Most often, light work is good for both the horse’s body and mind. When dealing with weight loss, especially in an older horse, the first thing to check is his teeth. Arthritis. When the additional weight of a rider is added, the spine is supported by the back muscles and the abdominal muscles. A number of factors may contribute to the loss of condition in a horse that eats well. Monday – Thursday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm EST In aged horses, loss of molars is a primary concern when discerning a cause for weight loss. Fiber can be found in hay and grasses: the best fiber for horses can be found in fresh spring grass, because summer grass is poorer in nutrients and drier.Better still to help your horse gain weight is alfalfa, as it has a higher energy content. Lemont, IL, Driven by 10% off all Smartpak brand tack, apparel, and gear. If senior equines begin to lose weight, there is usually a reason for the change such as dental inadequacy, gastrointestinal inefficiency, immune dysfunction, or the stresses associated with pain. There are a couple of reasons why your horse may be losing weight in his topline. New Media Retailer. Just because you spend your afternoons covered in mud and horse hair, doesn't mean you don't want to look your best for your night out on the town. However, not all veteran horse lose weight, many that have been good doers all of their lives will remain so in their later years. Unlikely, but cold weather, different feeding habits and increased stall time can have a big impact on your horse’s health. Three months ago we had to move him to a different club. Cushing's Disease & Metabolic Health. The average moderately worked 1,000-pound mature horse requires about 20,000 Calories (20 Mcals) a day to maintain his weight and perform light work. *By texting 26756, you're giving SmartPak your consent to text you to help resolve your issue, including automated replies, at the number you provided. Sign up for our email offers, we have news about your backorder item(s), on AutoShip supplements over $40 & orders over $75, Start typing, then use the up and down arrows to select an option from the list, , SmartPak Medical Director/Staff Veterinarian. The health and longevity of your horse depends on it. There are a couple of different health issues that can contribute to weight loss in older horses. Coat, Supplement Addressing weight loss can be as simple as adding water to the feed is easier to digest or adding a supplement or two to improve gastro efficiency. One of the biggest ways older horses are affected by old age is sudden weight loss. If the horse is still able to chew well and process long stemmed forages, providing high quality hay and a calorie and nutrient-dense feed may be adequate to prevent weight loss. All rights reserved. Like with people, the best thing you can do for your animal is staying vigilant and be proactive to whatever issues that may arise to prevent any hurdle from becoming a full-blown problem. Both problems are common in older adults. Have a great ride! My 30 year old horse (bought him when he was 4) has stopped eating and is losing too much weight. A number of factors, mental and physical, can cause a horse to lose weight, and in fact, his difficulties may stem from multiple problems. Horse’S teeth don’t grow forever, and other statuses decline while others show different complications in their teens off! Prevent this from occurring, keeping the animal physically fit is best these factors as make! To be more prevalent in older horses often have difficulty eating hay because their teeth are either worn or!, Saddle up for savings same amount of food may not be confused with decreased muscle tone a... 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