Dengie Horse Feed Advice - Feeding The Older Horse

Dengie Horse Feed Advice - Feeding The Older Horse

As horses age their nutritional demands and requirements change. The change in nutritional needs have to be taken into account when choosing a feeding program for your older horse.

Nutrition is only one aspect, to promote good health a regular worming program is important as is the condition of the horses teeth which should be checked and rasped regularly by a reputable horse dentist or vet.

Horses age at different rates so where some horses will be struggling with their weight and have dental problems in their late teens, others will still be going strong into their mid twenties and more! For horses who are coping well with their old age an appropriate balanced diet is normally sufficient. However, once they start to need a more specialised diet the information here will help you to plan the ideal diet for your horse.

Changing Nutritional Requirements

Your veteran's horse diet needs to take into consideration the possibility of reduced digestion and absorption efficiency. A higher protein intake is usually needed but remember that the quality of the protein is just as important as quantity. Alfalfa and full-fat soya are rich in lysine and methionine; essential amino acids, which have to be supplied in the diet. Supplying optimum levels of quality protein will reduce the likelihood of muscle wastage, especially along the horse's topline.

Fibre for Seniors

One of the biggest concerns as horses and ponies age is maintaining weight and condition. All horses and ponies should ideally receive 1.5% of their bodyweight as fibre each day to promote healthy digestive function. Using good quality hay, haylage or hay replacers becomes more important for older horses and ponies, not only for maintaining condition but also for respiratory health.

Research suggests that providing a choice of multiple forages, for example a net of hay and a large bucket or two of Dengie HI-FI Senior, will help to provide occupation and an enhanced environment for stabled horses. It is also likely to encourage them to eat a greater total volume of fibre which is beneficial for gut health.

Keep Your Horse Warm

Horses and ponies use a lot of energy (calories) keeping warm in the winter and older animals can often lose condition if additional energy isn't provided in the diet. A rug and overnight stable are of great benefit to older horses and ponies, especially those with a less hardy disposition such as Thoroughbreds. Give your horse or pony some extra 'central heating' by including plenty of fibre in his diet in the form of hay and Dengie Fibre Feeds. Fermentation of fibre by the bacteria in your horse's hindgut creates heat, which will help to keep him warm from the inside.

For more information and advice on Horse Feed visit www.dengie.com

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