ADVANCES IN EQUINE HEALTH CARE HAVE EXTENDED YOUR HORSE’S POTENTIAL LIFESPAN. WHAT SHOULD YOU EXPECT AS HE GROWS OLDER?
“TRIGGER’S 32 THIS YEAR!
Doesn’t he look great?” my client proclaims. “He does seem to be slowing down just a little bit though— especially on long trail rides. Sometimes he even seems a little sore. What can I do to keep him going?”
“Wow,” I think. “Age 32 and slowing down? I remember when we thought 20 was old. Now my clients want to know how to keep a 30-year-old horse moving down the trail.”
With advances in equine medical care, your horse has a much better chance of leading a happy and productive life well into his third (or even fourth) decade than his predecessors did 20 years ago. That’s right: 30 really is the new 20.
In this article, I’ll tell you about five major factors that have revolutionized your horse’s potential to live a healthy and productive life as a super-senior. Along the way, I’ll identify signs he might need help. Finally, I’ll give you the tools to determine when enough is enough when it comes to your efforts to keep him going.
FIVE LONGEVITY BOOSTERS
Why are horses living longer, healthier lives than ever before? The following five factors have each clearly played a role.
Nutrition
Then: Decades ago, your horse’s daily ration consisted of hay and grain, with a multivitamin thrown in for good measure. Hay was chosen based on availability and outward appearance. If it was green and clean, it was probably good enough. Grain typically consisted of oats, corn, and barley— either plain or mixed with molasses in a sweet feed or a livestock blend. As horses aged and chewing became diffcult, the best available options might’ve included beet pulp, a bran mash, or soaked alfalfa pellets.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der February 2018-Ausgabe von Horse and Rider.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der February 2018-Ausgabe von Horse and Rider.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
The Horse
LIFE TAKES US DOWN different paths, but I seem to be on just one, which is with the horse.
Decoding the Diseases Examined by AQHA's Six-Panel Test
The six-panel test is a diagnostic tool used to assess the genetic predispositions of horses. It's meant to discover if a horse has or is a carrier for certain hereditary diseases and traits.
Love is Good
All horses are assured a hopeful, compassionate plan of care at This Old Horse, a program that helps not only horses but people, too.
HORSE PACKING 101
Take your trail riding to the next level with nature-filled adventures in the back or front country.
NEW HORSE; NEW PROBLEMS
Anew horse can bring excitement and energy to the barn, and even reinvigorate your passion. However, there are also a myriad of new problems that can come with a new horse, so learn how to introduce him properly to avoid these common issues.
First-Timer Tips
Heading to a young rider's first event with their horse can be intimidating. Use these myths and truths to make it smoother sailing for yourself and your young rider.
Re-Rescued: Aslan's Story
One special gelding learns about three different types of love during his rescue journey.
The Country's Hottest Horse Motels
Take your next trail-riding adventure to the next level by staying at one of these six horse motels across the United States.
Outbreak! What We've Learned
Learn how disease outbreaks in recent years have changed the horse industry, and why it's so important to play your part when it comes to disease prevention efforts.
TRAINING THE SENSITIVE HORSE
Shift your mindset and grow your sensitive horse's pressure-handling skills to improve his confidence and your riding enjoyment.