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Even older horses have to be kept fairly lively, especially if they have always led an energetic life. Old horses that have been active are a bit like humans that are compelled to retire at 65 – they often get depressed.
Just as with us, the body might start to show signs of wear and tear, but the mind still works well and the old horse will miss its old colleagues – human and animal – and will miss being active.
For these reasons, you should never simply abandon an old horse in a field thinking that you are doing it a favour by not making it work. Slacken off the work, if you like. Ride it a little less often, if you think it is a good thing, but never just leave it alone ‘to enjoy its retirement’. It will not comprehend what you are doing.
It is quite possible that the older horse will suffer from arthritis. Standing in a field all day is not a cure for arthritis, but mild exercise can help relieve the symptoms of arthritis. There is no need to push your horse hard, but you can walk him and even ride him a bit, if he can bear your weight. Otherwise ask a child to ride him for you.
Average mild exercise will strengthen his muscles and build up his cartilages which will alleviate the effects of arthritis. This will be healthy for the horse, but it will also be good for you as it will mean that you will require less help from the vet. It will also make him a more contented horse which will improve his digestion and general well-being.
If your horse has been left to get on with his life alone for a time, heed the advice that humans are given in the same circumstances. That is, have him checked over by the vet and ask for approval for your exercise programme from him. Then, have his shoes and hoofs checked so that he receives less shock from walking on tarmac. Massage some oil into his joints too, if the vet says it will help.
The new exercise regimen ought to start mildly, but might be increased gradually as your horse gets fitter. If you notice that your horse is still suffering, try massage. While massaging your horse’s joints, pick up a leg and lightly bend and straighten it around ten times per joint.
Try to do this three or four times a day until you see results and then walking will almost certainly obviate the requirement for further massage, unless you enjoy doing it too. This will ease his joints which have almost certainly become stiff through lack of use.
You can attempt neck stretches too. This is best done by offering treats, say, across a fence. Make your horse reach for the treat – first up high and then down low. Give carrots rather than sweets because of your horse’s elderly teeth.
Remember that older ‘people’ have different dietary requirements to younger people and the same goes for horses.
Owen Jones, the author of this piece, writes on a variety of topics, but is now concerned with the distemper in horses. If you want to know more, please go to our website at Distemper Vaccines
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