Elderly Horse Care Tips

ELDERLY HORSE CARE TIPS •Respiratory Problems Older horse's are more prone to having Body Condition Score •. respiratory problems. Signs to look out for include: Nasal discharge Coughing UNDER WEIGHT NORMAL WEIGHT OVERWEIGHT Increased respiratory sounds Muscle Wastage • Eye Problems Common eye problems in older horses Older horses tend to feel the cold more due include: to decreased muscle mass and should be blanketed during periods of cold weather. • GLAUCOMA • CATARACTS • SENILE RETINOPATHY • VITREOUS DEGENERATION • REDUCED DIRECT PLR • ABSENT OR REDUCED MENACE REFLEX Parasite control A fecal exam is a good way to evaluate the possible presence • Dental Abnormalities of internal parasites in horses. Older horses are more at risk for loss of teeth, abnormal wear, and many other dental issues which can be harmful to their health if not addressed. Heart Regular exercise can protentially reverse some of the decline in cardiovascular function that occurs in older horses. Hoof Problems Older horses should have regular foot trimming to avoid potential Tumors hoof problems. Colic Lameness Widened white line 88% 40% In one study, colic Older horses should be paired 80% Mediolateral imbalance up with easy going companions to avoid bullying and ideally kept in a flat, well-maintained pasture Sand cracks was the second of colic episodes in older horses are of horses > 20yrs old are diagnosed with Prominent growth rings of grey horses over 1yr will have at least one melanoma. largest reason for Seedy toe euthanisation of impactions. osteoarthritis Convex soles Long toe low heel conformation older horses (21%). to minimize risk for injury. Diverging growth rings Total horse population in the US: 9.5 million The total horse population in the UK: 1 million + 7.6% 13.6% are > 20 yrs of age are > 20 yrs of age SOURCES: 1. Reviewed by the Doctors of Tryon Equine Hospital in Columbus, NC. 2. Curto EM, Gemensky-Metzier AJ, Chandler HL, Wilkie DA., 2013. Equine glaucoma: a histopathologic retrospective study (1999-2012).Vet Ophthalmology. 3. Ireland J, Catherine M, Clegg P Chandler K, Pinchbeck G. 2011. Factors associated with mortality of geriatric horses in the United Kingdom. Preventive Veterinary Medicine. 4. Ireland J, Catherine M, Clegg P Chandler K, Pinchbeck G. 2012. A survey of health care and disease in geriatric horses aged 30 years or older. The Veterinary Journal. 5. Lowder MQ, Mueller PO. 1998. Dental disease in geriatric horses. Veterinary Clinics of North America Equine Practice. 6. Mcgowan TW, Pinchbeck GP Mcgowan CM,. 2013. Prevalence, risk factors and clinical signs predictive for equine. pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction in aged horses. Equine Veterinary Journal. Vol. 45 Issue 1. 7. Siciliano PD. 2002. Nutrition and feeding of the geriatric horses. Veterinary Clinics of North America Equine Practice. 8. Silva AG, Furr MO,. 2013. Diagnoses, clinical pathology findings, and treatment outcome of geriatric horses: 3 45 cases (2006 - 2010). American Veterinary Medical Association Journal. 9. Chapter 15: Nutritional considerations for aged horses. Equine Applied and Clinical Nutrition 10. TW McGowan, G Pinchbeck, CIC Phillips, N Perkins, DR Hodgson, CM McGowan. 2010. A survey of aged horses in Queensland, Australia: Part 1: management and preventive care. Australian Veterinary Journal. Horse DVM com 11. TW McGowan, G Pinchbeck, CIC Phillips, N Perkins, DR Hodgson, CM McGowan. 2010. A survey of aged horses in Queensland, Australia: Part 2: clinical signs and owners' perceptions of health and welfare. Australian Veterinary Journal. .......... ............