They lose digestive efficiency and require diets with higher amounts of quality protein, phosphorus, and vitamins. The nutrient requirements for senior horses are thought to be closer to those of yearlings than those of adult horses at maintenance. Senior horses first require high quality forage and often a concentrate designed to provide extra protein, minerals and vitamins. Generally a concentrate with a minimum of 13% protein, as well as vitamin and mineral fortification is necessary for aged horses. For horses that cannot chew forage, complete feeds (with all fibre included) should be fed. Robank Golden Years is a high fat, high fibre feed which is ideal for senior horses.

The age at which a horse becomes a senior depends on the individual horse because some age more gracefully than others. By the time a horse reaches its late teens or early twenties, it is safe to say it is becoming an aged horse. However, many horses can be much older and show very few signs of aging. A nutritionist does not designate a horse as a senior until it is unable to eat its normal diet and maintain the desired body condition. Once a horse is unable to sustain itself on a normal diet, one that has maintained the horse for years, dietary changes and occasionally environmental and medical changes are necessary to keep the horse healthy.

The older horse might not regulate body temperature as efficiently as he once did, so he might require some assistance in staying comfortable in very cold wet conditions or extremely warm temperatures. Again, provide a shelter to help horses stay dry in cold, damp conditions; it also furnishes shade from the sun when it’s hot. Many older horses benefit from blanketing in cold or damp conditions to help maintain their body heat.