The Veteran Horse

FROM A RECENT SURVEY CARRIED OUT BY THE VETERAN HORSE SOCIETY, THERE ARE OVER 33% OF HORSES OVER THE AGE OF 15, IN THE UK TODAY.

And with the increase of newly launched organisations, such as the Veteran Horse Society there could be an increase in information about the older horse.

But caring for the older horse has the same responsibilities as caring for the younger horse.

Keeping your horse happy in his later years comes down to a few basic things.
Correct feeding, good health care and regular turnout.

TEETH
If your horse is having trouble with his teeth as often happens to us humans, then there are many ways of helping them. There are certain mouthcare products, such as Equus a unique complete mouthcare solution, which is very good with helping bit sores and protects the horses mouth. It's also special in that it's totally safe to use inside the mouth.

Some useful tips to ensure good tooth care.

• Have your horses teeth checked at least once a year.
• Increase the checks to twice a year for horses over the age of 16.
• Carry out regular checks for tartar, abscesses and gum disease.
• Horses teeth wear down with age and the wear must be kept even by regular rasping to ensure efficient feeding. Always use a Vet or qualified Equine Dentist.
• Ensure you offer a healthy balance diet for your horse.
• Use equus as part of your horses daily routine.


NUTRITION
Specialised course mixes are now widely used to help your older horse. Most feeds for the older horse have all the right vitamins and minerals, no hard pellets and slow releasing energy. Leverton offer a concentrated vitamin and mineral supplement to combat defecient foods which do not carry essential vitamins and minerals as concentration in some feeds can deplete over time from when they are harvested to when the food is eaten by the horse. In older horses the digestive system may not be as efficient as the younger horse so sometimes it can help to add probiotics or use food containing probiotics that can help your horse utilise their food better, particularly if your horse has just been on antibiotics. Clean-Up is a completely natural product designed to assist fussy, picky eaters and will help to maintain a normal gut environment. Specialised feeds for the older horse are good as they are generally of a finer consistency so it's easier to chew so the horse doesn't become discouraged from eating his favourite food.
Always have a regular worming schedule and check the teeth regularly as they may interfere with feeding.



SKIN CARE
Whether your horse is turned out or boxed the same management routines should be taken into consideration. Regular grooming will not only keep his skin and coat in good condition but will give you a chance to check daily his skin for wounds, lumps or irritations.
Leverton & Company offer a full range of healthcare products from dressings to hot and cold therapy which will assist you with first aid.
Should your horse sustain an injury, be it out in the field or on a hack, there are many products on the market that deal with cuts or minor injuries.

If your horse has a minor cut or scratch then CZ² Stop and Seal will be useful, as it firstly stops any bleeding that may have occurred and lastly helps protect the wound from flies and dirt.
To help skin wounds to heal there is also Topazin Equine which soothes itchy or sore skin, it can also be used alongside veterinary prescribed medicines like antibiotics and steroids.


Most of us at some time have owned a veteran horse and as veterinary care has advanced the benefits for the older horse has increased, as we now see more veteran horses competing and more recently winning.