Hi everyone! I was hoping to gain some insight/opinions about my aging 26 year old QH gelding. My apologies if this is long…I’ve had this guy since he was a 4 year old, so I know him like the back of my hand. He’s always been laid back and easy going, but lately in the past few weeks I’ve really noticed his energy level has decreased. He just seems so “blah” lately. When his herd mates are turned out for example, he’s been staying behind, which is very unusual for him. Perhaps it’s the weather, the bugs, etc, but part of me wonders if he’s reached a stage where his age is really taking a toll. As for his background: Throughout his life he was used as a pleasure horse, local show horse, paper chaser, parader (yes, we even got kicked out for his behavior that day…hehe), pretty much an all purpose, honest guy, never really too strenuous of a workload. His teeth are excellent, per his dentist, his feet are good, vaccinations are up to date, weight is excellent, appetite is completely normal and he is slick and shiny. He does suffer from arthritis and although I did have him on one of those “geriatric joint supplements”, he is currently not on anything. He still gets ridden 1-2 times per week and lives with one other horse and a pony. He is on 24/7 pasture since he likes that best, can go into the barn as he pleases, eats Legends carb care pellets (used to be show and pleasure but they changed the name of it recently) and really he “seems” ok, but have any of you who really know your horse just have a hunch that something isn’t right? I’m wondering if he’s just reached that old age point where he’s starting to really “feel” his age. Does that make sense? I was going to make a call into the vet tomorrow and maybe have her draw some blood to make sure everything inside is working correctly. Perhaps she will also suggest lymes or anything else that is floating around right now. I guess I’m just looking for insight/opinions about your older equines. Was there a pivotal time when you noticed your older horses declining? Any other thoughts suggestions would be greatly appreciated. This horse means so much to me, as I’ve had him for over 20 years. I know aging and all the fun stuff that goes with it is inevitable, but am hoping to make this process as easy on him (and me!) as possible. Thanks so much for reading and for your opinions!
My 25-yo is definitely slowing down, stiffer in her hind legs and back on cold days, less stamina, less interest in long trailrides, very happy to have our once- or twice-weekly dressage-ish lessons be half an hour of appropriate-for-her work vs. an hour, has had one very minor and one moderate episode of choke in the last six months (now her food is served wet), etc. Otherwise, she seems to be doing great. She’s out 24/7 on large pasture with a couple of friends. Her “slowing down” has been significantly noticeable for the past year, I’d say. The vet feels she is doing well, and just advises that we continue doing what we’re doing.
The thing that has made the biggest difference for her is putting her on Previcoxx. She is much more comfortable on it.
I think in addition to the previcox, you need to go to adequan (sp) or one of the other polyglycagens (sp again) such as Chrondo-Protect, etc. These, given im, are far more effective, imo, than oral supplements.
As far as the oral supps go, the only one that has any beneficial effect, ime, is Cosequin ASU Plus.
Anyhow, my oldest one now is mid to late 20s (need to look at his papers), he is showing his age by becoming a hard keeper, developing little problems–this week it’s rain rot–just all around high maintenance.
I also use Back On Track wraps and boots. If he’s stiff in any particular place, I apply topical Voltaren*.
This is the human version of SURPASS I buy it in Canada.
PS: I lost two of my really old horses this past year–they were 34 and 33. Both were retreating from life bit by bit, but still eating, meandering, goofing off, etc. The 34 yr old just couldn’t get up one day, and he didn’t really want to get up. He was put to sleep, and buried on our farm. The 33 yr old went several months later. I found her standing in the paddock, shivering with a very rapid respiration. Vet called, couldn’t get the respiration to normalize, and the horse was obviously in distress, so she was put to sleep and buried near her old friend.
*Thx for the catch, Laurierace. :uhoh:
It is so dependent on the horse. I have had them do start to look old anywhere from late teens to mid thirties.
I had a Chincoteague pony from age 3. At 26, he was looking a little bad so I had a full work-up from the vet. He found an elevated white blood cell count, so a course of antibiotics, along with a switch to Senior feed really perked him back up.
At 28, he started refusing the tiny jumps my son was learning to jump (12"). I thought it was just because a little kid was on him but he stopped when I rode him too. He wasn’t stiff or lame, but obviously something hurt when he jumped so he retired from jumping but continued with mounted games, trail rides, etc.
At 31, he seemed less steady on his feet and was retired for the most part.
At 33, he got a couple of nasty nasal infections, lost weight, had trouble getting up, and it eventually did him in.
Through it all, he had Cushings Disease and ended up with no molars to speak of. Neither of those things seemed to have an effect on his well-being as long as I changed his management to something that worked for him (prascend, clipping, soaked food).
[QUOTE=Hermein;8265570]
I think in addition to the previcox, you need to go to adequan (sp) or one of the other polyglycagens (sp again) such as Chrondo-Protect, etc. These, given im, are far more effective, imo, than oral supplements.
As far as the oral supps go, the only one that has any beneficial effect, ime, is Cosequin ASU Plus.
Anyhow, my oldest one now is mid to late 20s (need to look at his papers), he is showing his age by becoming a hard keeper, developing little problems–this week it’s rain rot–just all around high maintenance.
I also use Back On Track wraps and boots. If he’s stiff in any particular place, I apply topical Voltaren*.
*This is the human version of Succeed. I buy it in Canada.
PS: I lost two of my really old horses this past year–they were 34 and 33. Both were retreating from life bit by bit, but still eating, meandering, goofing off, etc. The 34 yr old just couldn’t get up one day, and he didn’t really want to get up. He was put to sleep, and buried on our farm. The 33 yr old went several months later. I found her standing in the paddock, shivering with a very rapid respiration. Vet called, couldn’t get the respiration to normalize, and the horse was obviously in distress, so she was put to sleep and buried near her old friend.[/QUOTE]
Surpass, Succeed is for hind gut ulcers.
In the last two months. Coming 26 long, tall TB. Retired two years ago due to cervical arthritis and slight neuro signs. Had been injected for the arthritis prior to that and he was stable for quite a long time. This summer has slowed down, dropped a little weight, neuro symptoms increasing. Three weeks ago presented w/ cellulitis/lymphangitis in front leg, immediate vet care received. Leg turned into a huge mess of lost hair and skin below knee, lots of oozing. Swelling is about 1/2 way down, no pain or fever, and looking better. He is eating, good bloodwork. Slightly depressed due to hand walking instead of turnout
I fear that the neuro thing will be his undoing in the not so distant future, though still worrying about his leg.
My now 33 YO gelding still had to be held back at 28. He wanted to GO. I competed in 2 hunter/paces with him that year.
At about 30, he still had a good canter in him - but he pooped out at longer distances.
At 32, he had a very forward walk and a solid jog.
At 33, I retired him.
A lot depends on the horse. Just like people, some “wear out” sooner than others.
My guy is 25 this year. He’s had his share of pasture accidents, and is just now fully sound from a 2 year rehab from a mechanical laminitis. I have been wondering if he is not keeping weight on this year because of the lack of nutrients in our draught stricken pasture, or if he has reached his “tipping point.” I’m doing physical therapy type work with him-unmounted; backing him up a slight incline, very easy but specific side-rein work to keep him balanced muscularly, transitions, trotting over cavalletti. We have a few fun unmounted games we play which he really likes.
I had the chiro out last week. She thought he was in pretty good shape given what he went through, but though his back is still nice and flat, he lost his top line muscles throughout the 2 years of recovery.
Getting a little grayer too.
I think we are aging at about the same time.
One thing I’ve noticed-like my former beloved dog, he is getting more affectionate as he gets older. So sweet.
It’s highly breed and use-dependent. As a general trend, I start to see dentition issues in the 19-22 range that are then resolved (with treatment) thereafter; we don’t often see a truly “smooth mouth” until after 28, and even many of these still manage to eat a surprising amount of hay and can nearly always eat grass.
Thoroughbreds, QH’s, Morgans, Arabs, Walkers, and ponies don’t tend to get that “little old man” look until 30+ provided their weight is kept appropriate. WB’s can start showing it as early as 24-25. Drafties, regrettably, often have problems holding muscle mass from 20 on, often secondary to unsoundnesses like ring bone.
The signs of true old age are stretching suspensories, a craggy or swaying top line, deep hollows over the eyes, and more and more white hairs on the face. Past 30 you’ll also start to see loose floppy skin, decreasing muscle mass and sometimes needing help to get up if they sleep too long and hard in one place, often due to low-grade arthritic stiffness. Previcox daily is a godsend for these guys and can literally extend their lives. Stiffness that seriously impacts mobility before 25 or so is due to use and wear-and-tear, not Old Age. I am no fan of joint injections because I see what’s left when the last one possible wears off, and it isn’t pretty. Those die young.
I personally believe a lot of the so-called “Cushing’s” around today is actually man-made by overly-elaborate feeding practices resulting in screwy metabolism; one must remember these animals EVOLVED to eat not oils, or animal proteins, or the fibrous waste of sugar or brewing production but GRASS. ALL the necessary nutrients should be contained in good forage; the issue with the Oldest Old is getting enough of those forage calories into the horse and well-utilized by eliminating obstacles to ingestion. This is where your pelleted Senior and Complete feeds come in. The answer is most often to feed MORE of what he likes and which works, rather than loading it up with ingredients his system truly never evolved to handle.
The SINGLE BIGGEST THING you can do to aid your older horse’s mobility, happiness and ultimately longevity is to provide him 24/7 turnout with free-choice shelter and other compatible horses, blanketing as appropriate for bad weather. If he has no metabolic issues, let him eat all the good grass he can for as long as he possibly can.
When they start to quid soft grass, as opposed to hay, they are near their Time, and it is not an eating issue. Having won Nature’s lottery, getting a good 20 years past what they’d have had in the wild–she’s going to punch their ticket very soon.
OLD GUYS RULE!!! 
At the age of 26, my Arab gelding started looking and acting like an old horse. In his case, the muscle wasting, lethargy and heat intolerance was due to Cushings. Since he’s been treated for it, he’s bounced back and now at 30, he’s looking and acting the same as when in his teens.
This time of year the ACTH will rise, so you may want to research the symptoms and ask your vet if he should be tested. They don’t always get a long, shaggy coat (it may just look like an older horse’s coat). What we may think are just typical old-age symptoms can be Cushings. The test isn’t usually expensive and you can prevent further issues if it’s treated now.
Thank you all for your wonderful responses. I will definitely check into the Previcox. I was researching it a little and it seems like it could be something worth a try, and isn’t thaaat expensive. I had my vet out a couple years ago for a lameness check on this horse (he was off on his front left, he was just having a hard time with his arthritis) and we discussed the option of joint injections, but given the cost, his age, the amount I rode, etc we decided not to pursue it. I will just do whatever I can to keep him comfortable and ambulatory. I’m so thankful I board at a facility where he can have the 24/7 turnout while having access to the barn. I will keep you updated on what the vet says when I have her out again. Thanks again so much!
My guy is 27 and is on nothing but pentosan. We had a lovely hack tonight in fact. I would only use previcox when the pentosan no longer did the trick personally.
@Laurieace: I’m sitting here at my computer researching all of this…so Pentosan is an intramuscular injection? If you don’t mind me asking, about how much does this cost you? Did you start out giving it once a week for 4 weeks and then tapering off to once per month? How soon did you notice a difference in your old guy? I will ask my vet of course all of these questions, I’m just hoping to gain some knowledge before she comes out.
Having an oldie really plays on your mind. You often have those “I think hes had enough” moments then there is the constant worry they are in pain.
The turning point for me was that I realised I was spending a lot of money to keep him sound and happy. I used HA injections every 4 months but some people do them as regularly as bimonthly. I was spending a fortune on special shoes, special supplements, physios very frequently and it just became harder and harder to keep him sound. I also noticed his legs twisting more than normal and tripping a lot so he became very uncomfy and unsafe to ride.
My vet told me never to stop working him but adjust the pace which I did until he wasn’t sound anymore and after a short retirement which he hated - he turned into a grumpy depressed horse, I sent him on.
He was a 23 yo wbx open jumper who I had turned into a dressage horse and a good one so had a lot of wear and tear.
Listen to your gut , at some point in trying to keep them going you will have to shout at yourself to STOP! Its usually when you are throwing good money after bad because you just want them to go on forever:(
My best boy is 28 this year and has started to show the signs. He’s been retired since 24 due to a stifle injury but goes out with his buds every day and is only in his stall for 8hrs.
He came off this winter (really harsh) not as plump as he had in the past. He’s an appendix and was always an easy keeper, right up to about 20. Now, he needs three meals a day, hay cubes with beet pulp and a fat supplement, just to keep him looking “ok”. He’s also on previcox and adequan and is pasture sound when “running” with the boys.
I’ve had him since he was nine and I feel like we have grown “old” together. It’s so hard and every day is a gift. :sadsmile:
When she needed to go on pergolide, and when she needed the dose increased. At proper dose, you get your horse back.
[QUOTE=Katy Watts;8267435]
When she needed to go on pergolide, and when she needed the dose increased. At proper dose, you get your horse back.[/QUOTE]
As someone who has handled a large number of retirees for over 20 years now, I feel I should make the point here that “pasture sound” or “quality of life” for most horses does not necessarily mean “perfect” or “no pain, ever.”
There is a BIG difference between diminished function and begging for a bullet. Only YOU can say where that line lies for each horse, but look at it in terms of human senior citizens and you’ll see what I’m saying. Put yourself in their place:
If a human senior can get out of bed, shuffle out and get the paper, eat breakfast, use the toilet and enjoy a quiet day reading on the porch and occasionally walking a small dog, she probably isn’t going to Want To End It All. Even if she needs some NSAIDS to do it comfortably. Or maybe orthotics. And maybe she eats burgers now instead of steaks that are hard to chew. She may need a little assistance and oversight now.
OTOH, if she CAN’T get out of bed, even with assistance, or doesn’t know who she is once she gets there, and repeatedly falls or blunders into solid objects, hurting herself; can’t enjoy eating, sleeping, or sitting even to watch a movie because of pain that’s an 8 or 9 on the scale and the medication is no longer working; and is in a nursing home costing $12,000 a month both she and her caretakers might find themselves intelligently and blamelessly hoping for a swift end.
Put that in horsey terms and the line to be drawn lights up a bit. The main question to ask is whether you’re keeping them going for THEM or for YOU, because you lack the courage to face your own emotions of loss and life change. Many times, a horse represents much more to us than just a pet; it represents an ERA, an epoch in our lives, often the last vestige of our youthful achievements and glory, now passing before our eyes as we enter a mundane middle age. You have to separate the HORSE himself, as an animal, from “what he means TO YOU” in order to make the humane choice.
This is one of the most difficult tasks a horse owner faces. No one can make the decision for you. I am not an advocate of putting it all online so a million nuts and harpies can tear you apart second-guessing and make you doubt yourself no matter WHICH you decide. Make your decision, make it for the HORSE, horseman up and take care of it or cede the task to qualified professionals, and then keep it to yourself. That’s best.
And that’s coming from someone who’s held the lead shank for the final passage 15 times now.
[QUOTE=RockyStar;8267048]
@Laurieace: I’m sitting here at my computer researching all of this…so Pentosan is an intramuscular injection? If you don’t mind me asking, about how much does this cost you? Did you start out giving it once a week for 4 weeks and then tapering off to once per month? How soon did you notice a difference in your old guy? I will ask my vet of course all of these questions, I’m just hoping to gain some knowledge before she comes out.[/QUOTE]
There are things that are effective and things that are not, and it’s highly variable depending on the horse, just as in people. Every drug does not have the same level of effectiveness in every individual, so you have to experiment a bit.
In managing our retirees my criteria for whether a treatment is worth pursuing long term is that when we do it for the trial period, I want to see a clear difference. Before advising someone to spend their money on it, I also want to see some solid scientific data that gives a reasonable validation of its use. In this category I put MSM, Pentosan, Adequan, Legend, Previcox and Bute, in ascending order of effectiveness from bottom to top. They are not all created equal; some are exorbitantly expensive while Bute is dirt-cheap but has the most concerning side effects. Everything is a trade-off and you have to look at how much relief the horse is getting for the money you have to spend, and how well the med is tolerated. But you SHOULD see a difference, and that’s where “the other stuff” doesn’t make the cut for me.
What NOT to bother spending your money on, IME, is most special shoeing (we have yet to see the unridden pasture retiree who can’t transition to being sounder barefoot!), chiro. and other “bodywork,” (turnout is far more effective), oral supplements except for MSM as we have yet to see even the slightest difference when any of them are either added or pulled, and elaborate blood work and “nutritionism.” These are not necessary, they are expensive and they will not solve the horse’s problems. There also is not the slightest empirical evidence for their use with the possible exception of some shoeing.
The problems to be solved with older horses are those of mobility, ingestion, and staying warm enough in inclement weather. They are primarily solved through judicious use of turnout, companions, feeding, blanketing, and medications when warranted. ABOVE ALL seniors need knowledgeable eyes on them who can see “the decline” the OP mentions, and know what interventions are appropriate until they day they are not. That’s the whole thing in a nutshell.
Nothing helpful to add…but just wanted to say a big THANK YOU to Lady Eboshi for your practical, non-emotional, and rational advice. As the proud owner of an aging gal, I really appreciate your no-nonsense, yet still very caring, approach to caring for the super seniors. If I was close to you, I’d be begging for a retirement spot for my mare in the near future. Keep up your good work!
