Understanding the Older Horse : Your Guide to Horse Health Care and Management

Older horses are like part of the family. Many owners still take care of the horses and ponies they had when they were younger. And these horses don’t ask for much—just a place to live, food to eat, and a little love and attention. But owners can do more for their older equine friends.

The aging process in horses, like in humans, affects all of the body’s tissues, organs, and systems. But when kept in good health, many older horses are sound enough to be ridden well into their twenties, and for some, even into their thirties. However, practical information to help in caring for older horses has been difficult to find. Understanding the Older Horse provides owners with the guidelines necessary to give their equine senior citizens the best care possible.

Written by Dr. Robert E. Holland, who drew upon his veterinary work as well as his childhood experiences caring for an older horse, Understanding the Older Horse emphasizes the importance of developing a complete and consistent wellness management program to fit each horse’s needs. An appendix includes a sample wellness management care plan, a body condition scoring system, and blank charts to track your older horse’s vaccinations, deworming, dental and foot care, and medical history.