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Whether it’s the seasoned competition horse with its calm “been there, done that” attitude, the patient and lovable all-round pony, the enduring endurance horse with its unwavering stoicism, or the experienced brood mare with her determined nature, senior horses are truly special. The same goes for the care they need to stay healthy, happy, and mobile well into their golden years.
In this tribute to the aging horse, we take a closer look at what their special care involves. We dive into some of the health challenges that can arise with age, as well as the nutritional, vet, and daily care tips you can use to make sure your ageing best mate enjoys their golden years just much as they have enriched your life in their younger days.
Senior horses are unique. In many cases, they have dedicated their best years to their humans. While the care and attention they received in their younger days play a big role in how they age, there’s still plenty you can do to help your aging horse make the most of their retirement.
Whether your pony or horse is fully or partially retired, it’s essential to ensure their well-being by keeping them happy, active, and mentally stimulated throughout their life.
Just like with people, one of the worst things a horse can do as they get older is stop moving altogether. At their core, all horses are athletes—and prey animals—so consistent, steady movement is essential for maintaining their bodies.
This includes daily turnout, light hacks, a walk in-hand, groundwork with poles, and low-intensity mobility exercises.
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Plenty of walking.
The walk is a four-beat gait where at least one hoof is always on the ground, meaning there’s no suspension phase. This makes it far less demanding on your horse than other gaits. Whether you’re riding or leading your horse, take the time to feel, listen, and observe. Once they’ve warmed up in a relaxed walk, you should notice them taking longer strides and moving more fluidly through their back and hips.
You’ve probably heard it before—"you need to ride the walk"—not just sit there, but actually ride. If you haven’t focused on this before, now’s the perfect opportunity, especially if your senior horse benefits most from primarily walking work.
Circles and curved lines can help reduce stiffness and improve your horse’s suppleness. Give your senior horse a little extra time—warming up in walk for at least 15–20 minutes before asking for trot can make a big difference. Start with a slower, more collected trot if needed, as long as your horse stays in front of your leg (meaning you don’t have to constantly push to keep them going).
Remember, sharp turns and small circles are more challenging for older horses, so begin with longer lines and large circles.
Walk often, take plenty of walk breaks, and incorporate different exercises based on your horse’s experience and abilities.
Most importantly, listen to your horse—regular movement is far better than standing still. Even if you only walk, there’s less strain on their legs, and keeping them moving helps maintain their overall health.
Even if your old friend can no longer go full speed around a jumping course or compete in dressage classes, there are still plenty of ways to keep them active while enjoying time together. Keeping their body moving while strengthening your bond is just as valuable.
Equine agility is an exciting activity where horse and handler navigate an obstacle course from the ground. The course can include elements like slalom poles, see-saws, small jumps, labyrinths, platforms, and tarps—challenging both the horse’s suppleness and ability to work in partnership with you.
Agility is beneficial for both young, untrained horses—as a form of environmental training—and for older horses, as it helps maintain suppleness and strength. Additionally, this type of groundwork strengthens the bond of trust between horse and owner, as it is built on cooperation and clear communication.
If you used to compete in dressage or showjumping with your now senior horse, agility can be a wonderful way to preserve and enjoy the strong connection you’ve built over the years. It allows you to continue training and working together in a fun, low-impact way while keeping your horse flexible and mentally engaged.
You don’t need a large arena to get started—with just a few obstacles and a bit of creativity, you can easily practice agility at home. It’s a great way to add variety to your daily routine and keep your senior horse happy and active.
It’s also important to establish a new routine when your horse’s activity level changes. A structured daily schedule provides a sense of security and predictability, which contributes to their overall well-being. The routine doesn’t have to be rigidly planned, but maintaining some level of consistency helps your horse relax and adjust to their new lifestyle.
For many horses, regular movement helps keep their mind balanced, and just like people, they need something to think about to stay mentally sharp. But retirement doesn’t have to mean a boring life— even light exercise can make a big difference.
Bringing your horse in for a hack or a training session and then leaving them without activity for days isn’t ideal.
Instead, consider how you can spread out activities to keep your horse mentally engaged and interested in life.
Small changes can make a big difference, helping your senior horse stay happy, healthy, and mentally stimulated.
In addition to physical activity, mental stimulation is equally important, as many older horses are used to daily training and challenges. The transition from an active lifestyle to a quieter routine can be difficult for some horses and, in some cases, may even lead to sadness or depression.
Finding the right stabling environment is essential for your horse’s well-being throughout its life—especially in its senior years. If your horse has been used to a busy yard with lots of activity and daily training, it may no longer thrive in that setting if its workload decreases significantly or stops altogether.
Pay close attention to your horse’s behavior as its daily routine changes. Signs such as restlessness in the stable, low mood, loss of appetite, or increased dependency on other horses could indicate that it needs a calmer, more suitable environment. For some, a smaller, quieter yard may be the answer, while others may do better in a larger yard with more activity or even a paddock paradise setup for greater freedom of movement.
"Listen to your horse and trust your instincts"
Remember, you know your horse best—so observe them with both love and a critical eye, and take responsibility for any changes in their body or behavior.
The best option for an older horse is to spend as much time as possible outside, where they can move freely. However, winter months with frozen, uneven ground can be challenging for senior horses, sometimes limiting their movement. Likewise, excessively muddy and wet paddocks in spring and autumn can be difficult for older horses to navigate and may increase the risk of mud fever.
Even during extreme weather, turnout remains essential. Consider creative solutions—perhaps a designated turnout area with shelter, a level surface, or drier footing, either as a permanent setup or a temporary fix depending on the conditions.
Senior horses are more prone to feeling the cold, and wet, chilly winter weather can really take its toll. To compensate, older horses grow longer coats to help them withstand freezing temperatures or persistent rain. High-quality hay or haylage is the ideal feed for generating warmth without overloading the digestive system. During the colder months, providing plenty of forage—ideally without any restrictions—is crucial.
You may also need to consider rugging your senior horse, even if they’ve never needed a rug before.
Social interaction with other horses is essential for most equines, and spending time outdoors benefits both their mental and physical health. In a herd, older horses play a vital role—they are the wise, experienced guides who help shape the younger members and often bring stability and order to the group.
It's important to monitor how your horse fits into the herd's hierarchy, as this can change with age.
If your horse previously held a high status but can no longer maintain its position, it may struggle to find a new role. In such cases, introducing them to a different turnout group or finding a more suitable companion may be necessary.
Introducing horses to a new herd should always be done gradually and under supervision to minimize the risk of injury and unnecessary stress. Some horses adapt quickly to a lower position in the hierarchy, while others need more support during the transition.
By paying attention to your horse’s social needs and overall well-being, you can help ensure they enjoy a safe and harmonious life among their fellow horses.
Age-related dental changes typically start to appear in horses around 20–22 years of age, and most horses over 25 will experience some degree of dental issues. If left untreated, dental problems and irregularities become more pronounced with age, potentially causing significant difficulties, especially in horses that haven't received regular dental care earlier in life.
As horses age, the portion of the tooth embedded in the jaw gradually decreases. By the time a horse reaches around 25 years old (with individual variations), there may be only 1–2 cm of tooth left to anchor it in place.
If the horse has an ideal bite alignment and even tooth wear, this may be sufficient. However, imbalances such as wave mouth, overgrown teeth, gaps between teeth, or feed impactions can lead to uneven pressure on the teeth, increasing the risk of them loosening and either falling out naturally or needing removal to prevent discomfort.
As the horse ages, the amount of enamel on the chewing surface also diminishes.
Once the enamel is completely worn down, the chewing surface becomes smooth and loses its function. A tooth in this condition can no longer grind food properly or wear against the opposing tooth—essentially rendering it useless, much like a missing tooth.
Over time, the molars will wear down to gum level. The more teeth that become “worn out” in this way, the harder it will be for the horse to chew and process its feed effectively. This can lead to weight loss and nutritional challenges, highlighting the importance of regular dental care for senior horses.
Some owners mistakenly believe that an older horse, no longer in regular work, doesn’t require the same hoof care as before. However, the old saying “no hoof, no horse” applies at every stage of life—especially for senior horses.
A horse’s hooves continue to grow throughout its lifetime, meaning they require proper hoof care regardless of age. However, hoof growth slows down as horses get older. Typically, the toe grows faster than the rest of the hoof, which means that if trimming intervals are too long, it can alter the hoof-pastern angle and increase strain on the joints and tendons.
If you notice your horse becoming stiff or if you’ve recently taken on an older horse, make sure to inform your farrier. Most farriers are experienced horse professionals who genuinely care about equine welfare. They can adjust their approach to accommodate your horse’s needs—such as lifting the hooves gently for a stiff horse or allowing short breaks during trimming to improve comfort.
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If your horse has Cushing’s disease, Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS), or is on certain medications for chronic respiratory conditions (heaves), they are at an increased risk of developing laminitis. Regular check-ups with an experienced farrier can help detect early warning signs. If caught in the early stages, proper hoof care can mean the difference between early euthanasia and several more comfortable years of life.
If your horse has developed joint issues like ringbone or arthritis, it’s essential to inform your farrier—even though they might be among the first to notice changes. Various therapeutic shoeing and trimming techniques can help senior horses stay comfortable and mobile without relying solely on pain medication.
Even with routine hoof care, daily inspections are crucial to spotting any changes. Older horses may develop weaker hoof walls, making them prone to cracks, splitting, or flaking—especially around the sides of the hoof.
If you notice an increase in cracks or excessive chipping, contact your farrier and vet. It’s important to rule out underlying causes like nutritional deficiencies or improper stable conditions—as both overly wet and excessively dry environments can negatively impact hoof health.
Older horses require more nutrients than their younger counterparts. Their skin, coat, and fat reserves are not the same as those of younger horses. Poor feed utilization due to worn teeth can also play a role. Changes in the metabolic system are particularly reflected in the horse’s immune system. Senior horses are generally more susceptible to diseases and recover more slowly.
Several factors can increase the risk of frequent colic. Changes in feeding, such as switching feeds, as well as changes in routine and exercise levels, can be contributing factors. Weather changes can also play a role. A high parasite load and sand ingestion can increase the risk, as can obesity—especially in horses that are not in work, as they have up to three times the risk of developing colic.
Diets high in grain and low in forage, long intervals between feedings, and reduced water intake can negatively impact the digestive system. Dental problems may affect a horse’s ability to chew and digest feed properly, making regular dental check-ups and floating especially important for older horses. Worm infestations should be monitored and treated according to veterinary recommendations, typically in spring and autumn, to minimize risks.
Additionally, prolonged use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and stress can negatively impact the digestive system, leading to colic and an increased risk of gastric ulcers due to an imbalance in the horse's stomach acid levels. To prevent illness, it is essential to ensure proper feeding, regular exercise, good dental care, parasite control, and stress reduction for the horse.
There are a variety of specially formulated feed mixes designed to meet the nutritional needs of senior horses. Those with reduced chewing function or digestive issues can particularly benefit from high-quality MASH products, which are soaked in water—an ideal solution for horses that can no longer chew properly. MASH often contains a range of nutrient-rich ingredients that support the immune system, skin, coat, hooves, stomach, and intestines. Additionally, MASH makes it easy to add supplemental products, which are often available in powder or pellet form.
Many pelleted feeds can also be soaked and given to horses with chewing difficulties. Always consult your veterinarian or a feed consultant to ensure the feed is suitable for soaking.
It is always recommended to discuss your horse’s nutritional needs with both a veterinarian and a feed consultant.
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