Feeding the older horse

[Blizzard]

I am buying a horse (subject to vet) , he is a 16.3hh hunter, he is an older gent at 16 though, Ive never had a horse that age, he is for my hubby to learnt to ride on and get his confidence, so Im wondering what to feed him.

His current owner has him on a leisure mix and conditioning cubes, I just want to make sure he is getting everything he needs.

He is in good condition and has just been clipped, and will be living out, I think he could do with a tiny bit more weight on as he was a little ribby.


what do you feed your oldies?

 

[equibabe20]

Hi there, I work at a retierment home for old horses and tbh 16 isnt that old, our oldest is 40 years young! We use a 16+ mix specially designed for the older horse, we also used Dengie Senior Hifi as it is designed for the older horse too. The best thing we use tho is Le Brick- these are compacted vitamins and minerals mixed with fibre, not entierly sure what they are but we swear by them, There the only things that help us keep weight on our horses. They are brick shaped hense the name and you can feed them whole or break them up and feed 1/2, 1/4, 1/3 or whatever you like. They can be fed dry or wet but we tend to soak them so there nice and wet to help the horses eat them. Hope this has helped, Samxx

 

[archoak]

16 is not old! My son's horse is 16 and is fed the same feed she's always had, she gets a cup of oats when competing and from recommendations on here I've just started her on Naf superflex.

Edit: This isn't meant to sound rude! I just get fed up when we're told horses are past it once they hit their teens

 

[Blizzard]

I think what is 'old' depends on what the horse has done, my welsh mare is 12 and is as lively as a 5 year old, this 16yr old hunter though has a lot more miles on the clock, he has hunted and evented for 10 years, his current owner calls him her old man, even though I agree 16 isnt that old!

We have a couple of 19yr olds at our yard that live on grass and do fine, bu this one we are buying is being fed conditioning cubes and a mix too, so he obivoulsy needs more than just grass, I suppose like us they are all different!

Thank you for the info about the Brick Sam, where do you buy them?

 

[equibabe20]

We buy them in bulk from a local feed merchant, i think most feed places should sell them. they come in boxes of 12 and cost approx £10-12 a box but they really are worth the money x

 

[eekmon]

16 not old!

My old boy is 29! I feed him 16 +, apple chaff, sugarbeet, cider vinegar ( for joints ) Topspec balancer ( Got all vitamins and minerals plus biotin and pro biotics ) He does really well on all that and is still going strong!! Good luck with your ' middle aged gent!!'

 

[Moggy in Manolos]

I would stick with what they are feeding and maybe add some oil in there to help gain a bit of extra if thats what he needs,and/or up the feeds he has,also the oil will help his joints stay supple, hopefully. You could also add in some veteran mix too if needs be

 

[kerrylou123]

my youngest is 14 and my oldest is 38, and all they're all fed high fibre cubes and hifi- the oldest being on hifi senior, but only recently and ad lib hay. although he is very old, he is a fairly good doer, but obviously, if things start to go wrong, thats when we will change his feeding

 

[Mellymoo1]

My 15 year old is on Spillers Senior Maintenance Mix, Hifi Original and a bit of bran, plus Garlic, Breathe Free and a splodge of Soya Oil. Hes looking really well on it, maybe a bit too well!!

 

[Blizzard]

Thanks everyone you have given me some ideas!

 

[Happy Bird]

Who makes Le Brick ?? It could be something that would benefif my old boy (he's 24 years old, but due to bad conformation, arthritis and COPD seems much older than that ... bless him!) I have never heard of it before. Where can I obtain some info ??

 

[Kezza]

my welsh C is 20 now and fed topspec balancer (fantastic and can highly recommend for all horses as packed with vits and mins), topspec conditioning Flakes (as he can get a little tucked up sometimes as he's very highly strung) and Alfa A Oil (produces the most fabulous shiny coat). This way I can feed him less bulk whilst still giving him what he needs and all this is pretty low in sugar and high in fibre. He also has ad lib hay at night whislt stabled. Also good to keep your new one rugged up so he doesn't shed weight trying to stay warm.

 

[filly190]

I am glad to hear you are buying an older horse, you will gain so much from it. At sixteen, he's not that old, look at the eventers still flying round at 18/19 years.

My TB mare is 20 and I bought her at 15, I have made no special concessions for her, she is ridden 10 miles a day and in full work. I would keep him going, feed him appropriate to his turnout and work and have his teeth done twice a year.

Horses can remain in work for many years with the correct care, I am sure you will have many years of pleasure with him.

I dont trot much on the roads with my mare, I do look after her legs like they are glass, just in case, the thought of not being able to ride her terrifies me. I hope to keep her going until she is at least 30.