The digestive system of older horses works less efficient. Movement of feed through the intestines may slow down, and the ability to absorb nutrients for the feed decreases. Older horses’ energy needs are therefore higher, as they digest food less effectively and absorb the nutrients offered less efficiently.

Older horses are more susceptible to digestive disturbances such as colic and constipation compared to other horses. Subtle signs of an imbalanced microflora, such as manure water or softer stools are also common in old horses. Another challenge for the old horse is sudden dietary changes. So if you decide to switch to a different roughage or feed, make sure you initially mix it with the old feed for about seven to ten days In this way, the microflora in the hindgut can get used to the new feed.

As mentioned in the previous paragraph, good dental function is essential for a healthy digestion. Poor chewing can lead to problems such as manure water, loose stools, colic, diarrhoea or obstruction. Pavo GutHealth has been specially developed to support your horse’s digestion by restoring balance to the gut microflora and can be used for senior horses that struggle with digestive sensitivities. The 18Plus Sensitive could also be considered to support your senior and it’s gut health. This complete feed is designed to meet the specific nutritional needs of older (sensitive) horses, but also supplies additional support for digestion when fed at the full recommended amount.

back the balance in the population of bacteria.

From around the age of 15, horses become increasingly prone to dental problems. Their teeth and molars continue to erupt throughout life and are gradually worn down through chewing. However, this wear is not always even, which can cause sharp edges or “hooks” to form on the molars. When this happens, the molars no longer slide smoothly over each other, making it harder for the horse to chew effectively. Proper chewing is essential to grind fibres down to pieces smaller than one centimetre, an important step for efficient fibre digestion (fermentation) and overall gut health. If long fibres enter the hindgut, the microflora cannot ferment them properly. As a result, the horse may not extract enough energy from the feed, leading to weight loss and an increased risk of digestive disturbances.

Regular dental check-ups are therefore essential for maintaining your senior horse’s health. Uneven wear can not only cause hook’s, but also large gaps between the teeth (diastasis), in which food can easily get stuck. This can lead to gum inflammation, and in severe cases, the loss of teeth or molars.. When a tooth falls out, the opposite tooth may over-erupt into the empty space, since there is no longer an opposite surface to keep it worn down

As horses age, they often begin to experience wear and tear in the joints, also known as osteoarthritis. In fact, the gradual degeneration of joint cartilage start already early in life, but progresses at different rates from horse to horse. If your horse becomes more stiff, short-strided, or starts to limp, osteoarthritis may be the cause..

To confirm if your senior has osteoarthritis and in which degree, your veterinarian can take X-rays Early diagnosis is important, as management can help to keep the joint as calm as possible and subsequently slow further deterioration. The most commonly affected joints are the coffin joint, the coronet joint and the pastern joint. although other joints can be affected as well.

Osteoarthritis can’t be cured, but it can be managed. Treatment is aimed at reducing the inflammatory response in the joint. Besides the treatment, the only thing you can do is relieve the horse’s pain. The ultimate aim is for the horse to be able to enjoy being put out to pasture free from pain. A supplement like the Pavo 18Plus Comfort is a supplement that is designed to support comfortable movement in old horses.