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 are arising due to the increasing age, but you can provide them with additional care which can stop these problems from becoming a full-blown medical condition. The best way to make sure your horse is doing fine is by regular checkups to the veterinarian and proper diet using the Great Gut Horse Probiotics.
According to a study in 1988 and 1989, 70% of the horses in their 20s required special care for some condition they had. 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.
Digestion Problems
As the horse ages, a number of digestive problems arise. Diarrhea, weight loss, and electrolyte imbalances are common issues which begin in the small intestine. This is because the making of digestive enzymes slows down with age, causing malnutrition, because the food nutrients do not reach the tissues. The 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 ‘senior feeds’. It is precooked food which is chewed and digested easily. The formula also contain digestive enzymes, vitamins, and minerals, which enhance the process of digestion even further.
Reduction in Saliva Production
The 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 horse has moisture in it with water, to make the chewing and swallowing process easier for them.
Weight Problems
Either the horse will gain weight as they age or they will lose it. 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 equine supplements 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, low starch diet to avoid getting Cushing’s disease, 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 joints and muscles that take place during aging. To provide your horse with their doze 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, 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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