Nutrition of the aged horse.

This study focuses on the nutritional needs of older horses in good health and with disease, discussing common weight loss causes and how diet modification can improve their condition.

Common Reasons for Weight Loss in Older Horses

• The research points out three common reasons that aging horses lose weight and deteriorate in their physical condition.
• These include irregularities in the oral or dental cavity, the dysfunction of the pars intermedia lobe of the pituitary gland, and reduced food consumption that may result from herd rivalry or pain due to osteoarthritis.

Improved Feed Intake and Body Condition

• This study claims that making changes in the management of horse care can result in improving food intake and body condition in elderly horses.
• Weight-gaining older horses, when in good health, can move to a diet that contains 12% – 16% raw protein and includes highly digestible feed items.

Dietary Changes based on Dental Condition

• In cases where the horse endures severe irreparable dental problems, long-stem fiber, such as hay in their diet should be replaced with drenched hay cubes, short chopped hay, or heavily soaked sugar beet pulp.

Dietary Changes for Endocrine, Hepatic, or Renal Disease

• The presence of chronic endocrine, hepatic, or renal disease in old horses necessitates changes in their diet.
• The specific modifications are not detailed in the abstract however.

Conclusion

• In conclusion, the research provides insights on the recommended dietary changes for the older horses considering various health conditions.
• It highlights the importance of the right nutrition and diet modifications in maintaining the health and well-being of the older horses.