Feeding for the elderly

B

Boodle

Well-Known Member
Joined
9 July 2005
Messages
2,433
Visit site
My first pony, Trixie is a 33year old exmoor x 11.1hh bay mare. She has always been excellent to do up until 2 years ago when her age started to take a toll and her teeth deteriorated.
The main problem with Trixie is, she has COPD, which is controllable given she is turned out 24/7. Ruling out her being stabled at night. She also suffers from the most awful choke, even with the smallest, sloppiest dinners.
This is our problem.
She lost ALOT of weight last winter, and with this absolutely awful weather she has begun to lose weight already and it's only August.
I really need some advice from you lot on what to feed her to help her with keeping weight on, but also something that will not cause her to choke as most feeds do.

Second question.
I have cared for Blue, a 15hh 37yr old chestnut arab gelding for 9 yrs now. He belongs to my "YO" though I use the term lightly as all she does is own a field that we keep the horses in, and flits about in designer clothing entirely ignoring the horse that was faithful to her for the past 15 years. Since he has been retired she has looked at him about twice.. that was 9 years ago.
ANyway to the point. He is a very old boy, he has severe arthritis in his fore leg and was born with a twisted fore also. He has bad eye sight and barely any teeth and is skinny even now, in August. However... YO wont buy any feed for him. She doesent even buy food for her own cats, dogs, fish and guinea pigs which myself and my Mum care for. She will eventually buy feed for him in abotu October, but im scared that by then it will be too late.
Her last horse, Gi, got colic on the last day of January... and YO was so determined to keep this 24yr old ILPH mare going because she wanted something to ride. Gi suffered until 8pm on the 1st Feb. She was not a pretty sight by the end of that day and it killed me to see her in such pain, with the vet wanting permission to PTS but YO saying "just wait a little longer".
Sorry off on a tangent.
What do we do for Blue? I can buy him his first few bags of feed so could start feeding him now, but what do you recommend for an aged Arab gelding?

Thanks in advance.
 
I really rate calling a feed specialist and asking their advice. They can recommend a suitable diet for both the horses needs.
0845 345 2627 - Dodson & Horrell
01371 850 247 - Baileys
0845 345 5115 - Dengie
Give them a call, and they will help tailor you a programme of feeds suited to your oldies requirements
xx
 

What about Baileys No 1 cereal meal? then you could make it as sloppy as you need to,and maybe some Beet Pulp as well and also a supplement like Feel Good 30 15 + or something else suited to veterans (can`t think of any others off the top of my head)
 
First of all i would get her teeth checked again, there may be something that is enhacing the weight loss or maybe a sharp edge that is becoming sore.Also make sure that she is up to date with her worming. For feeding I would reccommend Saracens Veteran Pencils as they can be soaked down into a mash. They contain bioplex and a probiotic which is all good for older horses. Feed small feeds often and start weighing him regulary. That way you can assertain how much weight is being lost/gained accuratley.
Sugar beet or Fibre beet are also excellent ways to put on weight and condition. Feeding oil an also be beneficial (but check that he can tolerate it). I know that the weather can be very unpredictable but on cold or wet days make sure she is rugged up so that she is using her feed to put on weight rather than have to keep her warm. Hay replacers are invaluable for oldies too, i strongly reccommend using Bricks made by Horsefair. They can be soaked into a mash and put on weight wonderfully. I work for a yard that has over 100 elderley residents and 90%of them are on bricks. Our eldest is 44! I reccommend both feeding plans for both of your golden oldies, they are lucky to have someone to care for them. Your YO sounds like she needs telling a few home truths about responsible horse ownership! As some wise person posted above if in doubt contact a feed helpline.Saracen does an online feedcheck service which is very good.P.M me if you want a chat
smile.gif
 
Sugar beet and some soaked veteran feed should be easily palatable for an older horse, also some oil either veg, sunflower, soya, linseed or corn oil will all help and give sustained energy hopefully add weight
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top