Saddle Pads Now £10.00
Subscribe to Newsletter
*E-mail address: *First name: *Last name: Please send me your newsletter and special offers
We do not overfill your mail box.
We do not share your email address with anybody else.
You may unsubscibe at any time.
Feeding the Veteranthe veteran Horses and ponies today are living much longer due to advancements in veterinary medicine, dental care and nutrition. Feeding veterans correctly, however, can seem tricky, so Allen & Page nutritionist Claire Lawrence BSc (hons) outline some things to consider when choosing a suitable diet. Around a third of all horses in the UK are aged 15 years or over, and so qualify for the title of ‘veteran’. Many horses now remain healthy and active well into their twenties and beyond, but inevitably their immune and digestive systems will become less efficient with age. Paying close attention to their dietary health is therefore crucial, and will help them to enjoy a high quality of life. When feeding the veteran horse, the desirable outcome is a more natural, high fibre diet that provides optimum nutritional support, whilst being easy for the horse to digest and chew.Feeding fibreFibre forms a vital part of any horse’s diet, as insufficient intake can lead to numerous problems including weight loss, gastric ulcers and colic. Fibre is essential for keeping the digestive system healthy – even more so in winter, as when fibre is fermented in the hindgut, heat is released to provide the horse with its very own central heating! It is very important for all horses, but especially veterans, to be fed a diet that is high in fibre. Feeding an older horse a high fibre diet is ‘kinder’ on his sensitive digestive system, but will still provide him with the energy he needs, particularly if oil is added. As the energy provided by fibre is slow-releasing, the horse should have enough energy required for light to medium work without becoming too ‘fizzy.’Digestive healthUnlike ruminant animals such as cattle, horses cannot use their stomach to digest cellulose and instead rely on microbial organisms in the hindgut to break down fibre. The ‘friendly’ bacteria responsible for this are essential for fibre digestion, and a deficiency can affect the horse’s health and condition. Using a feed containing probiotics can be a good idea – particularly for the older horse or pony, as it will help replenish any beneficial bacteria that have been lost. This will help the horse to more efficiently utilise the nutrients in his feed.Maintaining conditionMaintaining weight in the older horse can be a common problem. The two main causes of loss of condition are poor teeth and reduced digestive ability – the digestive system tends to become less efficient with age, and if food is not chewed correctly it will also be more difficult to digest. If other possible causes for weight loss, such as illness or worm burden, have been eliminated, swapping to a specialist veteran feed which has been specially designed to build and maintain condition might be a wise decision. The digestible energy of the feed indicates its calorie content, and a level of 10–12 MJ/kg provides a good level of calories for older horses. Dental problems Veteran horses can sometimes have difficulty chewing. The horse’s teeth grow continuously until approximately 25–30 years of age, so for very old horses teeth may become worn or loose. As the horse ages, the front (incisor) teeth will meet at an increased angle and may become long, angular and uneven. Regular dental treatment is essential, but horses that do have chewing problems will struggle to eat long-stem forages such as hay and so alternative sources of fibre will need to be provided. Some specialist veteran feeds – such as Veteran Vitality produced by Allen & Page – can be quickly and easily soaked to form a high fibre, highly palatable mash. This will also provide the horse with an extra source of hydration, and when made with warm water makes a lovely and warming feed on a cold winter evening! Staying mobileAs horses age, they can become more prone to stiffness. Many veterans do better with plenty of turnout and regular gentle exercise to keep the joints and muscles moving, but they also may benefit from additional supplementation to their diets. Older horses will require a higher amount of protein, and a feed containing high quality protein sources such as soya and grass will help build and maintain muscle condition. The anti-inflammatory properties of Omega 3 fatty acids meanwhile – which horses cannot produce themselves – will help to support joint mobility and will promote a healthy skin and coat, and can be found in feedstuffs such as linseed.Low starch, low sugarThe sensitive digestive system of the older horse should not be overloaded with too much starch or sugar. Paying careful attention to the diet is also paramount in managing conditions such as Pars Pituitary Intermedia Dysfunction, more commonly known as Cushing’s Disease. This condition tends to affect veteran horses and ponies and can also predispose them to laminitis, so – alongside good grazing management – a diet low in starch and sugar is advised. For good doers, this is not too much of a problem as generally speaking low starch, low sugar, high fibre feeds designed for laminitics can be suitable. However, if the horse is still in work or has difficulty maintaining his weight, he will also need additional calories – sourced from either fibre or oil instead of from the starch found in cereals. There are concentrate feeds on the market that are free from cereals and molasses and are often based on either alfalfa or unmolassed sugar beet. The advantage of using a concentrate feed is that you can be safe in the knowledge that the feed is fully balanced with the necessary nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Being part of the Barley & Molasses Free Range, Veteran Vitality for example is also suitable for horses with intolerances to barley, molasses and alfalfa.
Nominated for the SEIB retailer of the year award 2010
