MAINTAINING Older Show Horse the

As horses age, they require more attention and care to maintain their health and well-being. This is particularly true for show horses that have dedicated their lives to competing in various events and have years of regular “wear and tear” on their bodies. Maintaining an older show horse requires a combination of many things like proper nutrition, exercise and medical care, amongst others.

Nutrition

One thing to keep in mind when caring for an older show horse is to ensure they are getting proper nutrition. As horses age, their digestive system becomes less efficient, and they may not absorb nutrients as efficiently as they did when they were younger.1 This can lead to weight loss, muscle loss and a decrease in their overall composition. When a horse is not receiving proper nutrition, they can be unfit to compete as they can be at risk of injuries.

“Although weight loss can occur, weight gain can also be a cause for concern for many breeds, especially those predisposed to insulin dysregulation and Equine Metabolic Syndrome,” says Sarah Reuss, VMD, DACVIM, Equine Technical Manager at Boehringer Ingelheim. “An obese horse can be more prone to developing other health conditions such as joint problems and inflammation.”

In general, keep an eye on your horse’s weight and be mindful about feeding them high-quality hay or pasture. If your horse has insulin dysregulation, feed should be low in sugar and starch (which may require restricting pasture access and/or soaking hay), and potentially higher in fat to maintain a healthy weight. Being mindful of the amount of protein and essential amino acids your horse is receiving can also help them to maintain healthy muscle.

If your older horse is struggling to receive the proper nourishment they need, talk with your veterinarian or equine nutritionist as they can work with you to develop a feeding program that supports their specific needs.

Exercise

Exercise is crucial for maintaining an older show horse’s physical health. However, it’s important to keep in mind that as horses age, they may have limitations and require modifications to their exercise routine.

“As much regular exercise a horse can get, the better,” says Dr. Reuss “Whether it’s under saddle or routine turnout, practicing regular flat work with lots of walking and trotting, all can help to maintain their baseline fitness, as well as joint and ligament health.”

Older horses’ exercise routines can be dialed back from what they’ve practiced in their younger years due to the fact that they do not need to be drilled on certain behaviors – which can aid in their overall longevity for competing. Consider practicing certain behaviors less: if your horse is a jumper, maybe you only jump in preparation for a competition or even only at the competition itself if the horse truly really knows its job.

Medical Care

It’s also important to make sure your horse receives a proper warmup prior to exercise and cooldown post exercise, including stretching, to prevent injuries.

As horses age, they may develop age-related medical issues such as dental problems, metabolic issues and musculoskeletal changes. But for show horses, the repetitive stress from training and competing can lead to minor damage in the horse’s joints that builds over time and may lead to equine osteoarthritis (OA).

OA is a leading cause of lameness in horses and can affect any of the synovial joints, including the hock, fetlock, pastern, coffin, stifle and carpus.2 While OA can affect the quality of life of any horse, it can be especially challenging for horses who are still actively competing as it can hinder their ability to perform at their previous abilities.

Using a clinically proven OA solution can help address this in horses. Legend® (hyaluronate sodium) is a joint dysfunction treatment that can decrease the presence of inflammatory mediators in the joint, improve synovial fluid quality and decrease lameness scores.3

“The benefit of intravenous LEGEND is that it essentially signals all of the joints to make their own healthy joint fluid,” says Dr. Reuss.

Work with your veterinarian to decide if LEGEND is right for your horse.

Important Safety Information

The safety of LEGEND has not been evaluated in breeding stallions or in breeding, pregnant or lactating mares. The following adverse reactions have been reported following use of LEGEND Injectable Solution: Following intravenous use: occasional depression, lethargy, and fever. Following intra-articular (LEGEND Injectable Solution - 2 mL only) use: lameness, joint effusion, joint or injection site swelling, and joint pain. LEGEND 4 mL and LEGEND Multi-Dose Injectable Solution are administered by intravenous injection only.

For any performance horse, but especially our seasoned competitors, it’s important to have a full musculoskeletal exam at least once a year, in addition to regular veterinary check-ups. Regular dental care, vaccinations, and fecal exams for parasite eggs are all crucial for preventing, identifying and treating these issues before they become more serious.

REST + RECOVERY

Older show horses may require more recovery time than their younger counterparts. It’s important to provide them with a comfortable and safe environment to rest and recover after events or training sessions. Prolonged coolouts as well as multiple opportunities to go for walks throughout the day become especially important for the older horse confined to a stall at a competition.

Keeping a horse’s class number in mind can be helpful when thinking about their rest and recovery. Consider scaling back the number of divisions they are entered in to maximize their potential. Older horses may also appreciate more time in between shows to recuperate, especially if they are competing at a high level or in more demanding sports.

Caring for an older show horse requires a combination of many things. Proper nutrition, exercise, medical care and rest are just a few. It’s essential to consult with your veterinarian to develop an individualized care plan that takes into account the horse’s age, condition, and limitations. With proper care and attention, older show horses can continue to compete and enjoy a high quality of life for years to come.

References

1American Association of Equine Practitioners, Older Horses: Special Care & Nutrition. Available at https://aaep.org/horsehealth/older-horse-special-carenutrition#:~:text=As%20horses%20age%2C%20their%20digestive,especially%20protein%2C%20phosphorus%20and%20fiber. Accessed March 15, 2023. 2Boehringer Ingelheim, Managing and Treating Equine Osteoarthritis. Available at https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.ca/en/animal-health-industry-blog/animal-health/managing-and-treating-equine-osteoarthritis. Accessed on March 15, 2023. 3Boehringer Ingelheim, Legend. Available at https://bi-animalhealth. com/equine/joint-health/legend. Accessed on March 15, 2023.

About Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health is working on first-in-class innovation for the prediction, prevention, and treatment of diseases in animals. For veterinarians, pet owners, producers, and governments in more than 150 countries, we offer a large and innovative portfolio of products and services to improve the health and well-being of companion animals and livestock. As a global leader in the animal health industry and as part of the family-owned Boehringer Ingelheim, we take a long-term perspective. The lives of animals and humans are interconnected in deep and complex ways. We know that when animals are healthy, humans are healthier too. By using the synergies between our Animal Health and Human Pharma businesses and by delivering value through innovation, we enhance the health and well-being of both. Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health has deep roots in the U.S. From a start in St. Joseph, Missouri, more than 100 years ago, it has grown to encompass seven sites. Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health’s portfolio contains widely used and well-respected vaccines, parasite-control products and therapeutics for pets, horses and livestock. Learn more about Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA at bi-animalhealth.com LEGEND® is a registered trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc. ©2023 Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc., Duluth, GA. All Rights Reserved. US-EQU-0092-2023

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