ENVIORNMENTAL
This 37 year old is enjoying life.
Equine Hospital
24/7 Emergency Care
215-536-2726
2250 N. Old Bethlehem Pike, Quakertown, PA 18951
54 www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com
EE
organs and tissues as well as transport the carbon dioxide
from them. This affects every part of the body. A slowdown
of one organ, directly results in many other cascading insufficiencies.
Any delay in a slowdown occurring is a win win.
Senior horses do not handle environmental changes well
at all. Relocation from one farm to another as well as from
one field to another is extremely stressful. It means changes
in the surroundings (which cannot be seen as well due to
failing eyesight), changes in pasture mates (which results in
changes in the pecking order), changes in pasture grasses
and water, climate changes etc. all of which is extremely
stressful. Drastic climate changes can stress frail lungs and
arthritis flare-ups. Basically, older horses do best in everyday
sameness and routine.
Stress is detrimental to every system and should be avoided
when possible. It is easily overlooked until clinical signs present
themselves. Watch behavior and observe what goes
on in your horses surroundings. You can limit the stress in
many instances.
Disease and disorders definitely challenge the geriatric
horse. Weight loss due to partial system failures, heightened
allergies, adrenal gland shrinkage, Cushing’s syndrome and
a host of other conditions all become common in aging
horses. The immune system does not respond as it once did
thus making a simple illness easily transformed into a major
life threatening condition. Make sure you discuss with your
veterinarian disease prevention and vaccinations needed.
As we become more
aware of aging horse
problems, they have a
much better chance of
making it into their “golden
years”. But it takes designated
care and proper
geriatric nutrition to make
that happen. It is going to
take effort, change in
care and routine, environmental
awareness, and
dietary management to
be successful. Talk to your veterinarian and get him/her
actively involved, do your own reading research and most
of all, be aware of changes in your horses behavior and
condition. Don’t procrastinate, do something positive for
your horse’s eldercare.
DISEASE
SUMMARY
Our large animal doctors are also available Mon-Fri
for routine on-site or in hospital calls.
www.quakertownvetclinic.com
/www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com
/www.quakertownvetclinic.com
/www.choiceofchamps.com