Veteran horses are generally categorised as those aged over 15 or 20 years old. Approximately 40% of the UK horse population is currently in this age bracket. As a consequence of ageing, certain health issues become more common. Careful management can help us to spot them early, which is essential for the well-being of these horses.
Two vaccinations are recommended for veteran and retired horses:
Veteran horses need to maintain a healthy condition and may have lowered immunity. However, it is not necessary to worm horses all year round. Testing and targeted treatment of worms is the best way of managing your horse’s parasite burden.
Veteran horses should be in a healthy condition before Winter starts. They require increased dietary levels of protein, energy, fibre, and vitamins and minerals. Soaked beet pulp is a highly digestible source of fibre. Older horses have reduced digestive function so it may be necessary to increase total feed intake; smaller, more frequent meals are easier to digest and maintain a steady flow of energy.
It is important that older horses stay warm and dry to avoid burning unnecessary calories. Field shelters or windbreaks, together with a waterproof Winter turnout rug, are essential to avoid windchill.
Veteran horses should have an annual dental examination and may need more regular check ups to manage specific problems. For example, below is a photograph showing two diastema (arrows) (Photo credit: Dr Matt Hanks MRCVS). A diastema is the space between two teeth; these are the spaces where humans would use dental floss to remove food. In horses, food gets trapped here and causes inflammation of the gum (gingivitis) and gum recession, and even infection and tooth loss. If necessary, diastema can be cleaned and flushed, or treated by widening the space to reduce the risk of food getting trapped. Dental pain can cause quidding and weight loss, and it is important to identify and treat diseased teeth.
Veteran horses need regular trimming and/or shoeing to help maintain the structure and strength of the hoof wall. Biotin can be given as a supplement to improve hoof quality.
Arthritis is common in veteran horses. If possible, encourage at least a gentle level of exercise to maintain mobility. If ridden, allow plenty of time for warming up and cooling down for stiff joints and sore muscles to avoid injury. Your veterinarian may prescribe a low level of daily anti-inflammatory medication to maintain mobility and reduce discomfort.
An annual physical examination should be done by your veterinarian. Veteran horses are at risk of certain diseases. Here are some examples to consider:
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