WELLINGTON COUNTY– When people think about horses, some tend to envision stallions leaping over obstacles, sprinting toward the finish line at the racetrack, or taking in fresh air as they casually trot through pastures along any number of rural roads.
While society often celebrates youth and vigour, it’s easy to overlook the wisdom and grace that comes with age. This September, horse enthusiasts and equestrians in Wellington County are celebrating senior horses.
As horses age, their care needs evolve, requiring specialized knowledge to ensure their well-being. One of the primary goals of the Equine Guelph Centre and Senior Horse Education Month is to raise awareness about the unique needs of aging horses.
Unlike their younger counterparts, senior horses may require different feeding regimens, exercise routines and veterinary care.
Communications and administration officer Jackie Bellamy-Zions said there is no standard age at which a horse becomes “senior.”
“Some horses are still in great shape and health at age 18, while others may be showing age-related changes to their conformation and health,” she explained.
“Differences in aging may be due to breed, previous use and/or individual variability.
“It’s important to treat each horse as an individual and to keep careful records of their health and condition over time. As a guideline, 18 to 20 years is when you should consider a horse to be entering their senior years.”
People often think of weight loss and poor body condition as indicators or a side effect of old age in horses. However, age is not a cause for weight loss.
“If a senior horse has a poor body condition score and/or if weight loss is occurring, it is extremely important to have your veterinarian out for a full physical exam to rule out underlying health issues,” Bellamy-Zions said.
“On the other end of the spectrum, overweightness and obesity are associated with the development of unfavourable metabolic changes and increased disease risk. It is important to restore an ideal body condition in these horses.”
Dr. Bettina Bobsien is the course instructor for Equine Guelph’s short online Senior Horse course. Bobsien says, “Old age is not a disease. Aging should never be used as an excuse to allow health issues to continue when treatment options are available that can improve quality of life.”
“Getting thin should not be accepted as a normal part of aging. It’s a red flag to change management strategies,” Bellamy-Zions added.
“Whether it is a change to softer feed or an elder horse not being able to access its fair share of feed in the herd, changes in management need to be considered with every new challenge. Schedule a veterinary visit to rule out underlying problems and for nutritional advice.”
Beyond medical care, senior horses benefit greatly from appropriate exercise and mental stimulation. Riding may become less frequent, but activities like gentle groundwork, hand-walking and equine-assisted therapy can help keep these animals engaged and content.
Education is at the core of Senior Horse Education Month and many equestrian organizations, equine veterinarians and horse enthusiasts offer workshops, webinars and informational resources to help senior horse owners navigate the challenges of equine aging gracefully.
Joe is seen posing for the camera as he enjoys a summer day at home. Photo by Katie Clark
An unbridled bond
Wellington County resident Katie Clark has been living on a farm and caring for horses for the last seven years. Along with her property, she inherited a standardbred horse named Joe, which had been rescued from a farm in Quebec in the early 90s.
Because he didn’t make a good trotter horse, Joe spent most of his life riding around the property and was in his early 30s when Clark became his primary caregiver.
“I learned having a routine with Joe was best,” Clark said in a Sept.18 interview.
“He’d spend as much time outside in the field grazing as possible, but would still have a warm, comfy stall to rest in.”
Clark noted that keeping his weight up was always a challenge. She found that as Joe aged, adding bran oil to his diet, along with a glucosamine supplement and providing him with a daily arthritis medication, helped maintain his health and weight. She also had a “cloud” floor installed in the barn, which is essentially a cushioned, rubber floor.
At first Joe was the only horse on the farm, but a few years later, she found a younger rescue horse named Grumpy Jake and the two became fast friends. Jake not only kept Joe company but also kept him active and moving around the field.
“The biggest thing I learned was that we couldn’t baby Joe too much even though he was approaching his late 30s. Even when bad weather would come, it was always better he spend time outside. The longer he would stay inside the more he would stiffen up,” Clark said.
Between hay, grain, medication and, in Joe’s case, bi-annual massages, keeping an older horse can be costly. In spite of these costs, Clark said the benefits far outweigh the cost.
“Joe was very special,” she said.
“He was kind and gentle, was great with little kids and even with adults who maybe didn’t have much horse interaction. You learn to take each day as it comes and do the best you can.”
On a warm and sunny January day in 2022, Joe laid down in the field to sunbathe. Sadly, he didn’t get back up. Turning 38 that year, he decided that he was ready to go to his favourite sunning spot.
With help from neighbours, Clark spent hours trying to lift him back onto his feet.
“He was tired. We were tired,” Clark recalled.
“I knew by the way he looked at me, he was ready to go.”
“The vet came, and we said our goodbyes as Joe crossed the rainbow bridge with his best bud Jake by his side. You devote your life to them. It can be tiring, but it’s so worth it. I have never had the connection I had with an animal like I did with Joe.”
As a prey animal, horses are masters at hiding pain. Sometimes it takes a very observant horse person to pick up on subtle cues.
Equine Guelph’s free healthcare tool, The Senior Horse Challenge, is full of helpful resources including new research on equine facial grimace scores and pain checklists.
For more information visit equineguelph.ca.
