A Nutrition Plan For Your Senior Horse
Consider changes to your management techniques to increase physical activity and/or prevent boredom between feedings. Here are some ways to accomplish that:
- Hay nets and slow feeders can increase the time the horse spends foraging;
- Provide frequent small meals;
- Separate forage in different piles to encourage movement;
- Provide a play ball or toy with a small handful of high-fibre pellets between feedings. This feed should be included as part of the horse’s calculated feed allowance according to the weight loss plan.
The Senior That’s Losing Condition
This horse is difficult to keep weight on with a normal diet but is otherwise healthy. First, schedule a veterinary visit for nutritional advice and to rule out underlying issues such as parasite or dental problems.
Observe the herd hierarchy. Your senior may have lost dominance in the herd and may have less access to feed. In this case, provide alternative feeding arrangements.
Gradually increase the calories and nutrients in the horse’s diet. He should receive good quality forage at around 2.5 percent of body weight on a dry matter basis. A hay analysis is recommended. Highly palatable hay may increase the horse’s appetite. Using hay cubes/pellets or beet pulp could also be beneficial.
If a concentrate feed is necessary, it should include good quality protein (e.g., 10 to 14 percent, preferably from soybean meal or legumes) and added vegetable oil/fat (7 to 10 percent). Your veterinarian or equine nutritionist will be able to recommend the best options for your particular senior.
Provide free access to water, salt, and a forage balancer. The type/amount of balancer required depends on the vitamin and mineral content of the concentrate feed.
Including sweet-smelling/tasting feed toppings may increase feed intake and using odours that the horse already knows may increase the acceptance of new foods.
