A thorough physical examination that may include bloodwork could identify a medical cause for his weight loss. I have him on beat pulp and senior feed morning and evening also he has been geeting a (couple flakes of hay)every day and (grass 3-4 times a week), twice a day. Watching a decline is sad. With the support of your veterinarian, the underlying cause can be diagnosed and a management plan developed to promote safe weight gain and healthy body condition. Im feeding soaked alfalfa cubes to a senior horse because of his chewing problems. - Rapid Weight Loss in Horses. a much higher susceptibility to laminitis. You can slowly increase the amount of oil fed to a total of 1 to 2 cups per day over a seven- to 10-day period. When determining if a horse is underweight, there are six main areas of the body to evaluate: along the neck, along the withers, the crease down the back, the tailhead, ribs, and behind the shoulder. For example, Cushings Disease, a dysfunction of the pituitary gland, can rob a horse of his muscle--especially the topline and bottomline. Many things can be blamed for a shaggy, underweight equine during the wintertime months, but several of the most common include the following: Poor Feeding Regimen. Usually this is as a result of good previous management plus care and consideration as they get older. New Media Retailer. Be mindful of these factors as you make any supplemental changes to your horses diet. Regular dental care is important for your horse throughout its lifetime. Thread is now CLOSED for further comments. There are several potential causes of chronic weight loss in horses such as poor quality or limited feed supply, health problems and disease as well as social interaction and competition between horses. * She is old, but has been in good health until recently. Even if they havent fallen out, they may have sharp edges and hooks that make it difficult and painful for the horse to chew its food efficiently. How Effective Is PEMF Therapy for Performance Horses? Growing up, she competed in a wide array of disciplines and was an active member of the U.K. Pony Club. My 25-year-old Thoroughbred gelding has come out of the winter a little on the lean side. The best way to stay up to date with what's going on at Blue Cross is to join our mailing list. In this case, the back becomes more "sharp" looking, the pelvis, spine and withers appear more prominent. It is a problem most commonly seen in older horses, but can be present at any age. Webcast | Degenerative Joint Disease in Horses and Adequan i.m. Just because your senior horse is losing weight, it does not mean that the end is near. The vet also mentioned what SilverMaple said above as well. With the help of your vet, monitor the ability and enthusiasm of your horse for its job. At his age, it's likely his body is just worn out. Do Ponies Need Grain? What is the body condition score (BCS) of each of your horses? A young horse should be kept healthy, but not overweight at all, as that brings problems of its own. Declining physical prowess is tempered by wisdom, and is not always a bad thing seeChoosing a riding horse. (source). We and our partners share information on your use of this website to help improve your experience. There are a number of reasons why your horse may be losing weight and determining the cause on your own is often challenging. When making diet changes, always proceed gradually, ideally over a 2-3 week period to allow your horses digestive system to acclimate to the changes. With advancing years comes an increased risk of arthritis. Causes of Weight Loss Weight loss typically occurs for one of six reasons: Lack of access to appropriate food; Lack of ingestion of available nutrients; Abnormal digestion, absorption, or. Most elderly grey horses have at least one melanoma, though often without any problem as this type of tumour is slow growing and generally less aggressive than sarcoids. Clair Thunes, PhD, is an equine nutritionist who owns Clarity Equine Nutrition, based in Gilbert, Arizona. Your knowledge of whats normal for your horse will help your veterinarian determine the reason behind your horses weight loss. If and when. Another important point to consider is that a horse in pain is stressed sufficiently that weight loss might be an issue. Rice bran is another energy-dense feed. 12 Ways Your Horse Tells You It Needs Its Teeth Checked, The Best Feeds for Helping a Horse Gain Weight, Quidding - When Your Horse Spits Out Wet Bundles of Hay, How to Calculate How Much Hay to Feed Your Horse, How to Assess the Healthy Weight For A Horse. Once a horse has had laminitis he will always be susceptible, the older horse more so. January 2011. ), it could also be sand. From a decreased ability to chew because of poor teeth to a decline in the breakdown and absorption of proteins, and from a decreased ability to ferment fiber for energy and calories to a decline in the production of B vitamins, there can be a number of reasons why an older horse may be losing weight. Are multiple horses underweight or just one individual? They keep thing appearing "normal' for as long as they can. These are the teeth that are responsible for grinding down their food. Across the Fence Horse Sense (and Sensibility) Horses and the Law Old Horses: Better With Age Smart Horse Keeping The Horse 911: . The first thing that you should check when your senior horse begins losing weight is its teeth. Registered company in England and Wales under company number 00363197. he was failing and I had to choose to relieve him of his suffering. Old age will manifest in horses differently depending on the breed. Born in England, she earned her undergraduate degree at Edinburgh University, in Scotland, and her masters and doctorate in nutrition at the University of California, Davis. Meg. An inadequate diet, low in calories or vital nutrients, may deplete body condition. However, this spring the grass is coming in later than usual. If your horse is not exhibiting any other signs of distress and you have been deworming them as needed, then the solution to your problem may be as simple as changing to a senior horse diet. If your old horse is losing weight and . I recommend weighing your hay and grain to make sure hes getting at least 2% of his body weight each day. Featured Image: iStock.com/OliviaSabeskaya. It is just so odd that he hasn't seem to lose his appetite or become lethargic enough to not want to move much. When this happens in the digestive system, weight loss can result. To introduce your horse to beet pulp, start with a dry measure of half a cup, then soak this in ample water. In most cases, the point in which a horse becomes older or even geriatric is when it can no longer effectively holds its weight. These supplements are designed to help older horses gain weight and maintain their weight as they grow older. Involving your veterinarian from the outset is recommended. horse will help your veterinarian determine the reason behind your horses weight. A horses teeth are vital to effective digestion and health. I can see a clear outline of ribs. May 2019 he stopped eating his favorite; alfalfa. As horses begin to move and exercise less as they age, their digestive systems can suffer. Varying the work too will keep him enthusiastic. Triple Crown and Purina manufacture a couple of different kinds of senior complete feeds that may be the perfect choice for your older horse. Another preventative measure of weight loss includes a routine parasite control program prescribed by your veterinarian and based on fecal egg counts. Oil is not as filling in the digestive tract as grain or hay, and less fat is required to supply a similar amount of calories and energy as found in grain. But I still lost the battle. One horse may be well into its 20s showing no sign of decline while others show different complications in their teens. Probably only a 3 or less on the body . In the older horse, tooth problems can limit the horses ability to chew. Putting Weight on an Older Horse A reader's senior Thoroughbred lost weight during the winter. For a first horse or pony one would be wise to choose an animal in its teens. For health-related questions, always consult your veterinarian, as they have examined your pet, know the pet's health history, and can make the best recommendations for your pet. "Be a best friend, tell the truth, and overuse I love you, Go to work, do your best, don't outsmart your common sense. Hygain Equine Senior horse feed is a palatable non-oat micronized sweet feed, formulated for mature horses providing the necessary digestible energy along with soluble fibre, quality protein and balanced levels of vitamins and minerals for optimal health and vitality. Should I switch him to senior feed that would also provide more fat? Do not let them get too fat in the summer. No, that's not true, I am here to promote everything equestrian and everyone enjoying horses! This allows a horse to eat more hay, making the ration safer for intestinal health. Parasites can take their toll on horses at any stage of life. EMS vs. PPID Do You Know The Difference? The most common reason for weight loss in older horsesis dental problems. In most cases, the underlying cause can be difficult to determine without further testing. Weight loss occurs when a greater amount of energy is expended than received through the diet. Copyright 2023 by SmartPak Equine LLC. Horses younger than 3 years old and older horses are more susceptible to parasites. Vitamin & Mineral Alternatives, Exercise Training to Increase Insulin Sensitivity, Diet & Exercise Tips for Overweight Horses. If after dental work is done, there is still no improvement the veterinarian can take blood samples to ensure there is no condition or disease causing the weight loss. Most people just check the front teeth and assume that there arent any problems because they look fine. Your veterinarian can also assess your horses diet. If you suspect your pet is sick, call your vet immediately. Also add alfalfa pellets and all is soaked into a mash. Stay on top of the most recent Horse Health news with, If you are interested in adopting this donkey, please submit an Adoption Inquiry via AAE's website; No texts please: https://www.allaboutequine[dot]org/how-to-adopt.html., Horse breeding from planning through foal care, Horse-health-problem risk factors, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, Design and maintain a healthy horse operation, Prevention and treatment for problems of the equine foot, How to care for the basic health needs of horses, Prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of leg lameness, Proper feeding practices for foals, adult horses, and older horses, All aspects of caring for performance horses, News and issues for equine health professionals, Discussions about the welfare of our equine friends, Horse First-Aid Awareness Week: Brought to You by Kindred Bio, How to Get the Most Value From Your Horses Feed. Lack of the right kind of exercise . This advice mentionssome of the problems older horses may develop, do not be discouraged from taking one on. And dont forget antioxidants like Vitamin E and Vitamin C! It is always recommended to have a vet examine your horse and even run a few tests to rule out any diseases or other illnesses. There are better options for putting weight on an older horse. Your supplier may not consider environmental conditions and how it affects the overall nutrient content of their product resulting in lower quality hay that wont have any positive effects on your horse. Of the various issues that can occur, sharp enamel points are often implicated in weight loss. There are many potential reasons why a horse can lose weight, but they can be divided into categories for ease of understanding: Inadequate Feed An absolute lack of food, for example, an over grazed field with no grass left. The importance of a well-balanced, forage-first diet cannot be underestimated. Unfortunately as horses and ponies get older they become more susceptible to laminitis. A forum community dedicated to horse owners and enthusiasts. With so more many senior horses in the country today, finding a solution for your horse is easier than you may think. Prolonged use of certain drugs to manage other health problems may have a lasting adverse affect on a horses liver and kidney function. A suitable worming programme, as recommended by a veterinary surgeon, is essential, combined with good pasture management. As horses grow into their senior years, they often have a hard time maintaining their weight. Horses are beautiful creatures that require different levels of maintenance and care over time. Older horses can experience a decline in their ability to digest foods properly. He recommended that because of the horses current condition, and it's age, that it probably wouldn't be in the best interest to go through with a thorough examination. Complete details on our, Ride Along items are eligible for free shipping when shipped with your next AutoShip order or any, Dog Digestion & Digestion Aid Supplements, Free Shipping Every Day on AutoShip Supplements Over $40 & Orders Over $75, Help for Horses that Lose Weight in the Winter. Liver and kidney disease cause physiological damage to these vital organs, often resulting in weight loss. Sometimes, eggs may not be found in fecal material. Ive been active in the horse world and a horse owner since 1994. If increased volume of hay is not enough to correct weight loss, a hay that is higher in calories and protein, like alfalfa hay or cubes, should be added to the diet. Abscesses that are caused by infections with Corynebacterium or Streptococcus equi, may need to be surgically removed and followed up with antibiotic therapy. An annual health check when your horse has its vaccinations will allow you to catch any developing problems early. Its also important to rule out whether he is being kept off the hay by other, more dominant horses in the pasture or whether he might be in some mild discomfort that is keeping him from making the effort to get to the hay. If a horse is having issues grinding their food properly, their digestive system will be unable to process the food efficiently. These supplements are designed to help older horses gain weight and maintain their weight as they grow older. Remember they cannot cure disease and should never be used in preference to good veterinary care. In the past month and a half he went from being very well muscled and pushing on stocky to looking like a horse you would see on one of those animal cops shows thats been neglected for months. Lesson there, Im sure it is my fault, I let him graze too long with a smaller stomach capacity due to decreased eating on his part. He continues to look worse each week and I dont think he will last a month like this. If the pony gains weight easily in the summer, make sure it loses it over the winter. Ultrasound can be used to detect abnormal structures in the thoracic and abdominal cavities. 20 August 2019 #4 . Many equine feed companies sell multiple supplements created especially for older horses. Horses that have lost weight slowly over a period of time by breaking down fat and muscle stores will . February 2020. Nutrient absorption might decline as horses age, and old age dentition adversely affects intake and digestion. If a horse shows mild signs of lameness when competing, in consultation with the vet he may be able to enjoy a hacking career for many more years. (source). Its important to pay close attention to older horses especially, because changes (like weight loss) can happen rapidly. Caution must be taken to avoid feeding too much of this rich supplementexcess intake has been known to cause laminitis, especially in horses with insulin dysregulation. Just because a horse is turning gray doesnt mean it requires a lot of changes. Intestinal parasites can cause weight loss by interfering with the horses intestinal absorption of vital nutrients. As they get older horses cannot digest cereals, and this can trigger other problems such as laminitis. What should I do? You can feed fat supplements at the manufacturers recommended amount based on your horses body weight and how much weight gain is needed. Older horses sometimes have problems keeping in good condition. It can occur progressively in some horses as a symptom of old age. "Depression can often lead to . Sellon, D. International Veterinary Information Service. The solution becomes simple: add more calories to the ration. Sometimes, the solution can be as simple as adding a meal to your seniors horses daily feeding schedule. Thank yoi. Some older horses no longer have the teeth quality required to chew hard forage. She works as a consultant with owners/trainers and veterinarians across the United States and globally to take the guesswork out of feeding horses and provides services to select companies. One common cause of weight loss in horses is a sudden decline in hay quality. Take note of how much feed your horse taking in and assess whether its the adequate amount of food and if it has all the appropriate ingredients a horse of his age would need to thrive. Registered address Shilton Road, Burford, Oxfordshire, OX18 4PF. Often the underdogs are bullied away from bale feeders or the best grazing. I rehab senior horses, and my go-to is adding soaked hay pellets to the diet. Cold weather means your horse requires more energy for your horse to stay warm. Causes of unintentional weight loss Unintentional weight loss has many different causes. You say that hes up-to-date on his deworming but if youve just been following a rotational deworming calendar and not taking into account fecal egg counts, resistance, and variations due to season and location, then he could still have a parasite issue.
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