Like humans, horses need better care and health management, as they grow older. The average life span of a horse is between 25 to 30 years. And although you cannot control the health problems that arise due to increasing age, you can provide your beloved horse with additional care that can stop these problems from becoming a full-blown equine medical condition.
The best way to make sure your horse is doing fine is by regular checkups to the veterinarian and proper diet by using an equine specific probiotic.
According to a study in 1988 and 1989, 70% of the horses in their 20s required special care for some health condition they had formed through out the years. From tooth problems, to arthritis, to the loss of hearing and vision – all these external and internal challenges must be faced to ensure your horse is healthy and living longer.
Digestion Problems
As a horse ages, a number of digestive problems can arise if preventive nutrition measures aren’t taken accounted for. Diarrhea, weight loss, and electrolyte imbalances are common medical issues that begin in the small intestine.
This is because digestive enzymes slow down with aging that ultimately causes malnutrition, because food nutrients do not reach the tissues. Food that is not digested either passes out through feces or gets fermented, which can cause laminitis or colic.
To relieve your horse from digestive issues, you can feed them ‘probiotics. The formula also contains digestive enzymes, vitamins, and minerals, which enhance the process of digestion even further. Great Gut is a horse probiotic that allows your horse to properly digest food nutrients regardless of age.
Reduction in Saliva Production
Your horse will not be able to chew and swallow dry food in the absence of saliva. You need to make sure the food you give to your equine has moisture in it with water, to make the chewing and swallowing process easier for them. It is important that your horses have an adequate supply of saliva.
Weight Problems
Either your horse will gain weight as they age or they will lose it. It’s a catch-22. Gaining weight has more to do with their slow digestion and metabolism. If your horse needs to lose weight, their meal should only consist of hay and pasture, with required supplements, probiotics, and vitamins. However, you must not restrict their food intake, as they can’t go hours without eating, which will also hinder the process of fat burning.
On the other hand, if your horse is underweight, the first requirement is to find the cause behind the weight loss. This could be because of cancer, worm infestation, infections, kidney disease, ulcers, or liver problem. If your horse is suffering from some kind of mental stress or pain, the loss of weight can be because of that too. Nevertheless, in aging horses, the leading cause of weight loss is bad teeth. To make sure the weight of your horse is normal, provide them with chopped forage, hay cubes, flaxseed meal, alfalfa, and rice bran.
Bones and Muscles
Horses require omega 3s, not only for the better functioning of their immune system, but also to decrease inflammation of their joints and muscles that take place during aging. To provide your horse with their dose of calcium, stabilized flaxseed meal and chia seeds are the best choices.
Your horse may not be able to verbally communicate with you the changes they feel in their body as they age, but you can observe these changes in their physical aspects to judge their internal functioning. Your attention will increase their lifespan and enhance the quality of their life.
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