Senior Horses' Wintertime Needs

Keep your equine seniors comfortable and healthy in the cold season
By Nicole Lanphear

As the seasons change, your horse’s needs change. For senior horses, accommodating these needs is even more important as the weather changes and their health is at stake. This month we once again turn to Hannah Evergreen, DVM, of Evergreen Holistic Veterinary Care (http://www.evergreenholisticvet.com/) in Monroe, Washington for advice.

Senior horses are less able to thermo-regulate their body temperatures than younger horses. Thus, as the days and nights get colder, shelter and other methods of keeping body temperature up become more vital for your senior horse.

Blankets and Shelter
While a 12'x12' sheltered area with coverings on at least two sides to block the wind is recommended for all horses in all seasons, senior horses need it most of all during the winter. Shivering requires a lot of energy, which can cause your senior horse to lose hard-earned weight. If you don't have a proper shelter for your horses yet, now is the time to create it, before the mud and wet ground make construction more difficult.

Horses traditionally gain warmth from the herd setting, so horses kept alone need special attention to blanketing and shelter. If you do keep your senior horse in a herd setting, make sure it's the proper herd for your horse; for example, if your horse is slightly arthritic, a herd of younger horses might push the older horse to its limit and cause injury.

Blanketing is a necessity that must be a consistent routine.

“Once a horse becomes reliant [on blanketing], the owner must keep using it because the horses acclimate to it,” Evergreen says. One solution is to use the blanket only in a specific temperature range, such as freezing or below. This way, the horse only acclimates to the blanket in that temperature range. However you choose to determine your blanketing range, keep it consistent so the horse is able to adapt and be comfortable.

“They can survive and do okay without their blanket,” Evergreen says, provided the horse hasn't previously been blanketed, but adds, “It sure is nice to be cozy.” Blanketing will keep horses from losing too much weight from shivering, and will help keep their coats clean.

Blanketing also helps horses that are more prone to rain rot because of an immune system weakness. Rain rot is common in horses who are not brushed or kept dry consistently. Dander and debris build up under the skin, causing this condition, so in the winter months it is important not to forget regular care and grooming. Older horses are also more prone to Cushing's, which causes excessive hair growth. Horses with Cushing's have more hair and thus a higher risk for rain rot.

If you do choose to blanket your horse in the winter, the most important task is to find a blanket that fits properly in order to avoid injury or losing the blanket. If you see excessive rubbing on the shoulder after blanketing, get a shoulder guard so the blanket is a pleasant experience for your horse.

Footing and Hoof Issues
If a horse is wearing shoes, the wintertime is a good time to remove them. It can relieve soreness from any ill-fitting shoes. Bedding is also important in the winter months. Dry footing can prevent thrush and other hoof issues. Any shelter will be warmer with dry bedding, whether it is straw or shavings.

Abscesses are also common in the winter, as are scratches around the pastern (pastern dermatitis). To keep your horses feet healthy, clean them all out regularly and strive to provide a mud-free area.

“Mud happens in this climate, but it doesn’t have to happen,” Evergreen says. Use gravel or other materials to prevent mud in areas where your horse has access.

Changing Nutritional Needs
Senior horses often have poor teeth that can lead to poor nutrition. There are ways to combat this, and senior horses don’t have to be skinny; it is a misconception that you don’t have to settle for. Many senior horses need softer diets including beet pulp or hay cubes, but the combination of proper nutrition and proper dental care can keep most seniors at a healthy weight throughout the year.

In the wintertime, pay special attention to your horses' weight and realize they are losing pasture supplements from grazing. Keeping them warm will help them keep their weight, and your vet can help you with supplementation needs.

Not all feeds have equal benefits when it comes to weight gain. “People think extra grain will keep them warm,” Evergreen says. “But extra fiber will keep them warm. Beet pulp, extra hay, and extra foliage will keep them warm, rather than carbs.”

As you bundle your own coat against the Pacific Northwest rain and wind, think about your horse and his needs. Think also of your senior horse and the different needs that change during the winter. Your healthy, happy horse will be your true reward.