Caring for an Older Horse or Pony

him three or four small meals a day to help him gain weight.
An older horse can also benefit from eating alfalfa hay. Mix a flake of alfalfa hay in with his grass hay every day and check that he eats all of it.
Supplements
Older horses often benefit from being fed supplements. You could feed him a joint supplement that includes chondroiten or glucosomine. Many supplements containing these substances state that they encourage the growth of new cartilage which will help keep your horse moving easily.
You could also give your horse a highfat supplement full of calories to help keep weight on him.
Arthritis
Older horses can be a bit stiff when you first hop on them and then they loosen up and feel less lame after you warm them up. Sometimes an older horse has trouble lying down and getting up. This stiffness is usually caused by arthritis.
Arthritis is a condition that affects many older horses. Its when the tissues and membranes that lubricate the area around a joint where two bones meet become swollen and sore making it difficult for a horse to move freely.
If you suspect that your horse has arthritis ask the vet to check him out. She may take Xrays of his legs which may show damage to a joint. If your vet says your horse has arthritis there are many things you can do to help him keep moving.
Give him regularly exercise. If you dont ride him make sure he spends lots of time in a field where he can move around Warm him up properly at the walk before you trot or canter If the arthritis is mild you may be able to give your horse Phenylbutazone before you ride him. Bute is like aspirin and can relieve a horses pain Your vet may inject your horse with corticosteroids drugs that reduce swelling She may also inject your horses arthritic joints regularly with a joint lubricant product such as hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid can help the joints move more easily and your horse will be more comfortable.