| Just because your horse is older does not mean he is | | | | Exercise should always start out slow and easy, a |
| ready to retire and not get ridden. Even aging | | | | walk for 10 minutes, a slow trot, a walk, some turns |
| equines need exercise. Not to mention the fact that | | | | and circles, some easy uphill work. When you first |
| they get bored doing nothing if they were active in | | | | take him out, it will have to be for a shorter period |
| their day. Aging horses still have sharp minds and | | | | of time to get him used to being out again. Over a |
| although the body may not be keeping up as well as | | | | period of time, based on his response, you can |
| it once did - they appreciate being useful. Being | | | | increase the duration of the exercises. Even if you |
| ignored and left alone can lead to depression in a | | | | walk and trot him by hand, he will enjoy the change |
| once active horse. | | | | of scenery. |
| With older usually come arthritis, and while it can slow | | | | Throw in some passive stretching exercises as well. |
| them down, there are exercises to help him regain | | | | For instance, pick up the affected leg, gently bend |
| his condition. Take him out of retirement and give | | | | and straighten it - about ten times per joint. Try to |
| him regular exercise - not the rodeo style kind, but | | | | do this about 3 - 4 times a day. This assists cartilage |
| gentle, tailored to his condition style exercises. The | | | | and soft-tissue healing and decreases scar-tissue |
| muscles around his joints will benefit by being | | | | formation. |
| strengthened and help protect the joints from stress. | | | | Speaking of stretching, get your senior to do flexing |
| It's a known fact a conditioned horse usually has | | | | exercises as well. Encourage them to reach as far as |
| significantly thicker and healthier cartilage than an unfit | | | | they can to either side. Tempt with treats and get |
| equine. The major reasons to take him out of | | | | them slowly into the longest neck stretch you can. |
| retirement and give him some pep? Regular exercise | | | | They will be stiff at first, but with persistence they |
| works wonders for his attitude, appetite, digestion | | | | will loosen up. |
| and general well being. He's been your companion for | | | | Check your senior's diet and make sure he's getting |
| so long, he deserves the best. | | | | the right dietary supplements in the right amounts. |
| Before you start your rejuvenation program, have | | | | Don't assume his feed provides everything he needs. |
| your hose Vet checked and talk to your farrier. This | | | | Check this with your Veterinarian. The large-intestinal |
| will give you and idea of any limitations you may | | | | function changes as your horse gets older, and they |
| need to work with. Proper trimming and shoes are | | | | need higher-quality protein, alternative forms of |
| extremely important when starting the older horse | | | | roughage and supplemental vitamin B. Commercial |
| on an exercise routine. Preventive shoeing and | | | | senior feed is good for the older horse who cannot |
| trimming helps minimize concussive shock, aids flexion | | | | maintain weight. Just watch the deadly mixture of |
| and extension, and alleviates lameness/ unevenness | | | | not enough exercise and too much rich food or you |
| of gait. | | | | may wind up with a portly horse. |