Posted: 8th September 2015 | Back to news feed
Question
My veteran 13hh pony is now 25-years-old. He is still in relatively good condition and lives out most of the year but as winter is approaching I am starting to think about whether he needs a bit more TLC – can you help?
Age alone doesn’t necessarily mean that your pony’s diet needs to change and many older ponies continue to be ‘good-doers’ throughout their entire lives. Indeed, research has shown that 26% of older horses are overweight and winter can be the ideal time for them to shed a few pounds, meaning they can safely gain some weight next spring. However, forage alone will not provide your pony with all the essential micronutrients he needs to stay healthy and so even ‘good-doers’ must be fed a suitable hard-feed.
Provided your pony is in good health and not showing signs of unwanted weight loss you can continue to feed a high fibre, low calorie feed such as Equerry High Fibre Cubes. Equerry High Fibre Cubes are 'Non-Heating', cereal-grain free and low in sugar and starch. They also contain a complete range of all the essential vitamins and mineral your pony needs for a balanced diet.
If your elderly pony does start to lose weight on a diet that once kept him in ideal condition it’s important to firstly rule out any underlying clinical condition such as such as dental problems, Cushing’s or liver disease. Provided your pony does not have any underlying issues then he will benefit from a specifically formulated, conditioning veteran ration such as Equerry Veteran Mix.
Equerry Veteran Mix provides calories from highly digestible cereals and includes yeast to improve digestive efficiency, which can decline as your pony gets older. It is also contains a good source of quality protein to help maintain muscle tone and promote topline. Equerry Veteran Mix contains a full range of essential vitamins and minerals including raised levels of Vitamin E, an important antioxidant that can help to slow down the aging process. It also provide good levels of oil and linseed to promote condition and a shiny coat.
However, If you do discover that your horse has an underlying problem then don’t despair, with a little extra nutritional TLC the majority of older horses, even those with certain clinical problems, can continue to lead healthy and happy lives for many years. One of the most common reasons for weight loss in older ponies is an age-related deterioration in dental condition. This makes chewing tougher forage such as hay or haylage difficult or impossible but this can be easily addressed by feeding a ‘hay replacer’ made from Equerry High Fibre Cubes, soaked into a stiff gruel, instead of their normal forage. Other clinical problems that can cause weigh loss include Cushing’s and liver disease. Ponies with these conditions will require specialist nutritional support and you should speak to a qualified nutritionist for an individually tailored feeding plan.
For more information on feeding old horses and ponies simply call the Equerry Feedline for practical, friendly advice on 01845 565640 or visit www.equerryhorsefeeds.com
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