Arthritis and joint degeneration are common in older horses, although joint problems can occur at any age. Previous racing, high-impact exercise, repetitive work, injuries and working on hard surfaces can all contribute to wear and changes within the joints.
As horses age, their nutritional and exercise needs can also change. Looking at the horse's diet, body condition, workload and daily routine can be an important part of supporting their overall comfort and mobility.
Keep Your Horse Moving
Regular, appropriate movement is important for maintaining mobility. Horses that are stiff or uncomfortable generally benefit from gentle, consistent exercise rather than long periods of inactivity followed by strenuous work.
Allow plenty of time for an older horse to warm up, and adjust the intensity and duration of exercise according to how they are moving on the day.
It is common for older horses to be stiff when they first start moving, with stiffness easing as they warm up. Some days may also be more difficult than others, particularly during cold or damp weather.
If a horse is showing obvious pain, lameness or a significant change in movement, their workload should be reduced while the underlying cause is investigated.
Look at the Whole Diet
Nutrition is an important part of caring for an older horse.
Start with the basics:
- Provide good-quality forage appropriate for the individual horse.
- Ensure the diet provides adequate vitamins and minerals.
- Avoid excessive amounts of grain and highly processed feeds.
- Maintain a healthy body condition.
- Make sure fresh water is always available.
- Consider the horse's individual age, workload and nutritional requirements.
Rather than adding numerous supplements, it can be more useful to look at the overall diet first and identify where nutritional support may be appropriate.
Nutritional & Herbal Support
There are many nutritional supplements and herbs traditionally used as part of a natural approach to maintaining joint and general wellbeing in older horses.
The most suitable options will depend on the individual horse. Factors such as age, diet, workload, body condition, existing health concerns and other supplements being fed should all be considered.
Some horses may benefit from nutritional ingredients such as glucosamine, MSM, rosehip, turmeric, green-lipped mussel or essential fatty acids, while others may be better suited to a different approach.
Herbal combinations can also be considered as part of an individual nutritional program.
There is no single supplement that is right for every horse, so choosing products according to the horse's individual needs is preferable to simply combining several joint supplements.
Heat, Cooling & Massage
Gentle massage can be incorporated into an older horse's routine where appropriate and where there is no acute injury or broken skin.
Hot or cold therapy may also be useful at different times, depending on the individual horse and the area being treated. Always use appropriate temperature and avoid applying heat or cold directly to the skin for prolonged periods.
Supporting Your Older Horse Naturally
Supporting an older horse is about more than simply adding a joint supplement. Diet, forage, exercise, body condition, environment and general wellbeing all play a role.
Small changes to the horse's daily routine can make a significant difference to their overall comfort and quality of life as they age.
If you are unsure which nutritional or herbal products would be most appropriate for your horse, contact our qualified animal naturopath. We can look at your horse's individual circumstances and help you develop a more tailored nutritional support program.
Please note: Nutritional and herbal products are not intended to replace appropriate professional assessment where a horse is experiencing significant pain, lameness, swelling or a sudden change in movement.
Every horse is an individual, and their needs can change over time. If your horse develops sudden or severe pain, lameness, swelling or a significant change in movement, seek appropriate professional advice.
For individual nutritional recommendations, please contact our qualified animal naturopath.
For more specific recommendations for your horse complete our complimentary horse questionnaire.