Assessment of clinical characteristics, management practices, and activities of geriatric horses.

The research study aims to investigate the demographic and clinical features, management practices and issues related to elderly horses and compare them to younger horses. They found that older horses have certain distinct health problems and veterinary needs compared to their younger counterparts.

Methodology

• The research was conducted on 218 horses which were divided into two groups on the basis of their age. 165 horses were aged 20 years or more (geriatric) and 53 horses were younger than 20 years.
• Information was gathered using a survey tool to capture information from the horse owners about the demographics, veterinary history, management practices, and owner’s perspective regarding the age and health of the horses.

Results

• Findings suggested that compared to the younger horses, the geriatric group included a significantly higher number of ponies and were more likely to suffer from colic, dental disease, tumors, lameness, and pituitary disease.
• However, conditions such as laminitis, diarrhea, allergies, respiratory tract disease, thyroid disease, or fractures were not found to be more prevalent among the older horses compared to the young ones.
• The study also noted that horses engaged in Western equestrian activities were likely to demonstrate a history of lameness.
• Furthermore, geriatric horses with pituitary dysfunction were more prone to suffer from laminitis. Geriatric horses also showed more pronounced long hair and shedding abnormalities.
• Owners usually perceived their horses as old once they reached around 22 years of age. If the horse age exceeded 16.5 years, it negatively influenced purchasing decisions.

Conclusions

• The research concluded that while there are shared health issues between young and old horses, geriatric horses present with distinctive health problems and require specific veterinary care.
• Moreover, the history of the horses’ activities and their management during their lifetime could play a crucial role in determining their health as they age.