Nine tips to keep older horses in shape during the winter

For older horses, winter is always a difficult time. They lose weight quickly and are sometimes a bit stiff. As an owner, you don't want your horse to become too thin. That's why it's wise to start taking measures in time. It's much harder to get an older horse to gain weight again once it's lost weight. We'll give you nine top tips to keep your older horse on weight this winter.

6 January '25 - 4 min reading time

The exact age at which a horse falls into the category of 'golden oldies' varies per animal. In general, you can say that you should start paying attention from about 15 years of age. However, some horses only show the first signs of ageing after they are 20, and ponies sometimes take much longer to become a bit elderly.

Why Older Horses Lose Weight

There are several reasons why older horses are often difficult to maintain weight:

• Food absorption becomes less efficient

• Muscle breakdown is faster and protein requirements are higher

• The horse has more difficulty keeping itself warm

• Dental problems

• Worms

  
  

Tip 1: Dental check-up

In any case, make sure that your older horse is regularly checked by the dentist to prevent problems. Many older horses can no longer chew as well, which means that the roughage is processed and digested less efficiently. Chewing (with lots of saliva) is an important first step in the digestion process. If this does not go well, the absorption of hay and other roughage is also less good.

Tip 2: Check for worms

Has your horse been dewormed recently? Or has it been a while? A worm infestation can lead to weight loss. Have the manure checked and treat your horse with the correct deworming agent if necessary. You need a different agent for each type of worm. Your vet can provide you with more information. Also pay attention to sand in the manure. Too much sand in the intestines can also cause weight loss and poorer absorption of nutrients.

Tip 3: Extra roughage for heat production

A horse needs roughage to produce heat. This happens when the roughage fibers are digested in the large intestine. If your horse loses weight quickly in cold weather, it is a good idea to make sure that extra roughage is available. This must be easy for your horse to eat and absorb.

Tip 4: Look at other types of roughage as a supplement

In addition to hay or pre-dried silage, it may be wise to give your horse a more easily absorbable form of roughage, especially if its teeth are no longer optimal. There are various types of supplementary roughage on the market that you have to soak, such as beet pulp, copra, grass pellets, alfalfa pellets and fibre 'nuggets'. These types of roughage have to be soaked in water. This makes them relatively easy to absorb and they also contain a lot of fibre. This produces a lot of heat in the large intestine. When giving alfalfa, be careful that the calcium - magnesium - phosphorus ratio does not become too skewed, alfalfa contains relatively a lot of calcium. See also tip 6.

Tip 5 – Ensure sufficient proteins and essential amino acids

An older horse can usually use more proteins and essential amino acids than a younger horse. Proteins and amino acids are the building blocks of muscle tissue and due to poorer absorption and faster muscle breakdown, the need for these building blocks increases somewhat as a horse gets older. Special senior feed usually contains more protein and amino acids. But you can also give these nutrients separately, for example in the form of pea protein and a supplement of the three most important amino acids: lysine, methionine and threonine.

Tip 6 – Monitor vitamin and mineral intake

Not only proteins, but also many vitamins and minerals are absorbed slightly less well by horses that are getting older. You can remedy this by giving a special feed for seniors, with the help of a vitamin pellet or with separate supplements. Older horses often have a greater need for zinc and selenium and are more likely to have a vitamin B and K deficiency. It is important that the best ratio between the minerals calcium - magnesium - phosphorus is slightly different for older horses than for younger animals. Vitamin C is also a point of attention. Horses produce vitamin C in their own body, but in the body of an older horse this is no longer so easy. In a feed that is specially for seniors, all these needs regarding vitamins and minerals are usually taken into account.

Tip 7 – Put a blanket on your horse

A fairly easy way to support your horse is to put a blanket on him. He then has to 'work' less hard to stay warm and not all the food he gets goes to keeping his body warm. You also prevent your horse from 'burning' his muscle mass to stay warm.

Tip 8 – Keep your horse moving

Many seniors suffer from joint problems such as osteoarthritis and intensive riding is often no longer possible. However, make sure that your older horse keeps moving. Free movement is very important anyway, so put the horse outside in the paddock or pasture. Depending on the age and condition of your horse, ground work, walking or quiet rides can also result in a fitter and happier horse. Of course, keep a close eye on whether you are asking too much. If your horse becomes very stiff or painful, or loses more weight, then you may be doing too much.

Tip 9 – Useful supplements for older horses

To support older horses, various supplements are interesting. Vitamin E is good for the muscles, for example. To help your horse move with joint complaints, cannabidol can be a good solution. Adding a little healthy fats to the feed can also help to keep your horse at a healthy weight. Salmon oil is a good source for this, but DHA algae also contain the right omega-3 fatty acids. For an older horse, you can dose these fats slightly higher than for a younger animal.