In August, we addressed how Select Amateurs keep themselves in show shape as they age, but the rider is only half of the equation. With the increased costs of showing and care, many owners are looking for ways to keep their broke horses healthy and fit as long as possible.
Like humans, as horses age, physically demanding activities can become increasingly difficult for their bodies to handle. Therefore, it is critical to have older horses on a regimen that helps them age “like a fine wine.”
We spoke with multiple World and Congress Champion trainer, Jim Searles, to get his advice on maintaining an aged horse for competition and at home.
Consistent Physical Stimulation
“One of the common mistakes I see with the management of older horses is that, when they retire or their show load is reduced, people tend to think that treating them well means cutting all work from their lives to ‘give them a well-deserved break,” Searles observes.
“While breaks can be necessary for injuries or beneficial from time to time, I don’t think it is ever wise to have them go cold turkey and just stop work altogether,” he advises.
Specifically, a consistent fitness regimen is essential for young and older horses. “We treat our aged horses the same as our younger horses in that every horse gets some sort of physical activity each day.”
“For our aged horses that are no longer showing, their fitness regimen is less intense, but we still give them a regular workout plan to help keep their bodies moving. Regardless of age, every horse spends 10-15 minutes on the hot walker. We also pony them and do some light longeing.”
Searles adds, “We have a ‘horse gym’ at our facility that includes a horse treadmill. We love using the treadmill for the aged animals because it is easier on their joints.”
Jim’s observations are echoed in the studies of Kentucky Equine Research, which recommends that a “regular program of low-level exercise” is critical for maintaining joint, foot, and gut health in aged animals.
Mental Stimulation
Searles has found that aged horses need mental and physical stimulation, particularly those animals that spent their youth in training programs and became accustomed to working and learning.
“Sometimes, I think the older show horses suffer from boredom in their retirement years. The physical activity is good for their bodies, but I also think it is good to get them out and make them use their brains as well.”
It can be helpful for capable animals to run through horsemanship, equitation, or trail patterns where they must use their brains to respond to cues and think about how they maneuver their bodies – simple rail work may not be as mentally stimulating for them.
“My daughter’s old show horse still gets excited when we hook up the trailer, and he acts like he wants to go along. So, I think the older ones miss the activity and stimulation of going somewhere new. It isn’t so stressful and may be enjoyable for them when they are used to it. Keeping these older horses mentally stimulated is important to their overall health.”
Quality Feed and Gut Health
Maintaining a quality feed program is essential for all ages, but it is especially critical to manage the weight of older horses. Kentucky Equine Research states, “Obesity stresses the joints, increasing discomfort and stiffness, making the horse more reluctant to move. While an obese horse may have trouble moving, a skinny horse may be unable to stay warm in cooler seasons or effectively fight off illnesses.”
The Searles take great pride in offering a feed program that meets the specific needs of their horses, including the aged animals.
Searles explains, “We use a variety of supplements that we’ve been thrilled with for our older animals, including SMART Pak from Smart Gut, Smart Lite, 100x Equine Gut X, Oseto Max, DAC Cool Gut, and DAC Oil. We also feed Nutrena Safe Choice as our grain.”
He continues, “We take gut issues very seriously, and I find it to be one of the more stressful sicknesses that a horse endures because it can be difficult to pinpoint. Therefore, having a balanced feed program that focuses on nutrition and gut health is critical for maintaining any horse, especially those that are older.”
Emphasize Warmup and Cool Down Routines
Like older humans, older horses are more prone to joint stiffness, loss of strength, and cardiac issues. Therefore, although a warm-up and cool-down are essential for young horses, they are especially important for aged horses.
Searles laughs, “People must remember that these animals are athletes, too. You don’t see an NFL quarterback run onto the field and immediately start throwing 50-yard passes down the field. They stretch, they warm up their arm.”
He continues, “Horses need to warm up their bodies before you expect them to do hard work too. I’ve found that older animals often require longer warmups and cool downs to ensure they feel good during and after work.”
“Deanna does a lot of stretching, walking, and moving their bodies around before having them work. You want to keep their joints and muscles loose before working hard.”
“I think a lot of people emphasize the warmup and forget about the importance of a cool down,” he warns. “Putting a horse away wet at any age isn’t healthy, but it is especially tough on the older animals.”
“We walk them on hot walkers for a cool down, wrap legs in ice boots for 20-30 minutes after rides, and put liniment on their legs to help reduce inflammation. Our equine athletes deserve their spa time after hard work.”
Keep Up On Routine Care
Like humans, it is more common to encounter health issues as horses age, so keeping up with routine care and maintenance long-term is imperative.
“It is important to continue with regular vaccinations and farrier appointments as your horse ages. You want to keep them healthy and free of disease, and you also want to make sure to keep their feet balanced. Regular care helps you catch potential issues before they become major problems.”
Clean Healthy Environment
Finally, Searles believes maintaining a clean, healthy, well-bedded environment is critical for keeping any horse healthy.
“The quality of their home directly impacts the quality of their health. You want to keep their bedding clean, dry, and waste-free. This will help avoid breathing issues that can become common in indoor environments. You also want to ensure they aren’t standing in a wet environment, whether inside or outside, as that can cause many problems with their feet.”
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Maintaining older horses requires special attention to maintenance, feed programs, and overall physical and mental fitness. The saying goes, “If you take care of your horse, they’ll take care of you,” the adage seems especially true for horses as they enter their golden years.
