Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Nutritional Management of the Older Horse.
- Journal:
- The Veterinary clinics of North America. Equine practice
- Year:
- 2016
- Authors:
- Argo, Caroline McG
- Affiliation:
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences · United Kingdom
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
As horses get older, especially those that are now mostly used for leisure rather than hard work, they can still live healthy lives into their 20s without needing major changes to their diet. However, age can bring about subtle changes that might lead to health issues, so it's important for older horses to have regular check-ups with a veterinarian. One key change is that older horses burn less energy, which can make them more prone to gaining weight. Recognizing and managing this risk is crucial for their overall health. Regular veterinary care can help catch any potential problems early and keep older horses feeling their best.
Abstract
Leisure animals now comprise the majority of working horses in industrialized nations; a shift that has decreased workloads yet improved veterinary care and lifetime health. Although many horses now progress well into their 20s without any requirement for dietary modification, age-related changes are insidious, and older animals benefit from regular veterinary monitoring to identify, address, and ameliorate the inevitable onset of age-related "disease." Basal metabolic rate decreases with age; older animals expend less energy on controlled exercise, and there can be an increased propensity toward the development of obesity, which needs to be recognized and managed.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27329493/