When horses show abnormal loss of body weight, despite being fed a diet that provides maintenance and extra energy requirements, a veterinarian’s advice should be obtained and followed. A veterinarian or equine nutritionist’s advice may also be required to work out special feed requirements for sick and injured horses.
Horses with abnormalities of the mouth may find normal grazing and chewing difficult and will have a greater reliance on supplementary feeds to maintain body weight. This problem is common in older horses. These horses should be examined by a veterinarian and corrective action taken if possible. (Refer to Chapter IV for special considerations for the geriatric horse.)
Overfeeding, Obesity and Laminitis (Founder):
Some equines, particularly ponies, are able to utilize energy in feeds very efficiently. Excessive energy intake is one of the causes of a common and crippling disease, laminitis. Laminitis affects the feet of horses and results from the disruption of blood flow to the sensitive and insensitive laminae, which secure the coffin bone to the hoof wall. Founder is a commonly used name for this condition.
It is important to note, however, that other causal agents of laminitis include stress, a sudden increase in work, excessive concussion and abnormally high body temperature. Horses should not be permitted to become overly fat. Horses and ponies known to be susceptible to laminitis should have restricted access to grains and spring and autumn pasture.
Low-energy forages should be fed. Control of overweight horses using starvation diets is unacceptable. The horses should be supplied with a balanced reduction diet of food and water.
Water Requirements:
A horse’s daily water requirements may range from 5 to 20 gallons (20 to 70 liters), depending on air temperature, humidity, body weight, level of activity and health and physiological status (e.g., pregnant, lactating or growing). Every horse should have access to a sufficient amount of water to meet its individual maintenance and activity needs.
As a general guide, horses need ½ to 1 gallon (2 to 4 liters) of water per 2 pounds of dry matter intake. This requirement increases with air temperature; e.g., an increase in ambient temperature from 55°F to 77°F (13°C to 25°C) increases water required by 15 to 20%.
Water troughs and containers should be regularly cleaned to prevent algae buildup. They should be located where they are protected from electrical problems, fouling and freezing. Automatic watering systems should be checked daily to ensure they are dispensing water properly.
A rapid loss of water and essential electrolytes can result from severe diarrhea, bowel diseases and exercise. Fluid replacement should be administered by a veterinarian in order to overcome dehydration if necessary.
Refeeding the Starved Horse:
Unfortunately, some horses that arrive at rescue/retirement facilities have been subjected to long-term neglect and suffer from starvation. Rehabilitating a starved horse presents many challenges for caregivers. In both horses and humans, the abrupt refeeding of a starved horse can cause dysfunction of the body’s metabolic system, which can lead to failure of the heart and lungs and ultimately to death.
A veterinarian is vital to the recovery of these animals and should be consulted as soon as a starved horse arrives at the facility.
What Happens during Starvation:
During the starvation process, the horse initially uses any fat and carbohydrate stores in his body to supply energy for metabolism. This is the normal process for any healthy horse: fat and carbohydrates are used for energy, exercise, brain function, circulation, etc., and are then replaced with nutrients from food. The cycle is constant and never-ending, even during sleep.
In a starved animal, once this source of fat and carbohydrate is gone, energy is derived from the breakdown of protein. While protein is a component of every tissue, there are no inert stores of it in the body such as there are for fat and carbohydrates.
Consequently, the starved body uses protein not only from muscles, but also from vital tissues such as the heart and even gastrointestinal tissues – tissue that is necessary for life. The starved body cannot select which tissue protein will be metabolized for energy. As time goes by, the horse’s survival is a precarious situation. When a horse loses more than 50% of its body weight, the prognosis for survival is extremely poor.
The Refeeding Problem:
Refeeding starved animals, including humans, is not an easy process. In humans suffering from starvation caused by illnesses such as anorexia, cancer or gastrointestinal obstruction, patients can develop “refeeding” syndrome when they are given concentrated calories, and this in turn can lead to heart, respiratory and kidney failure, usually three to five days after the initial meal. This same syndrome has been reported in the literature for horses.
The Best Diet:
A team of California researchers led by Dr. Carolyn Stull of the University of California-Davis Veterinary Medicine Extension studied the rehabilitation of chronically starved horses and developed guidelines extremely beneficial for use in rescue/retirement facilities.
Dr. Stull and her team showed through their research that the best approach for initial refeeding of the starved horse consists of frequent small amounts of high quality alfalfa. This amount should be increased slowly at each meal and the number of feedings decreased gradually over ten days.
After ten days to two weeks, horses can be fed as much as they will eat. The horse will show signs of increased energy after about two weeks. Ears, eyes and head movement will be the first noticeable movements.
Some weight gain can be achieved in one month, but three to five months usually are needed to rehabilitate back to a normal weight. Veterinary care and nutritional advice should be sought as complications arise.
Refeeding Recommendations:
Days 1-3
Feed one pound (approximately 1/6 flake) of leafy alfalfa every four hours (total of six pounds per day in six feedings). Contact a veterinarian to evaluate the medical status of the horse.
Days 4-10
Slowly increase the amount of alfalfa and decrease the number of feedings so that by day six, you are feeding just over four pounds of hay every eight hours (total of 13 pounds per day in three feedings.)
Day 10 – Several Months
Feed as much alfalfa as the horse will eat and decrease feeding to twice a day. Provide access to a salt block. Do not feed grain or supplemental material until the horse is well along in its recovery; early feeding of grain and supplemental material complicates the return of normal metabolic function and can result in death.
- Provide clean, fresh water at all times.
- Deworming and correction of dental problems are very beneficial to the horse’s recovery.
BASIC HOOF CARE:
The age-old saying “no foot, no horse” applies to every discipline in the horse industry and is equally important to the horse that enters a retirement/rescue facility. The foot is a common source of lameness; therefore, good, quality hoof care is imperative to the well being of a horse in these facilities. For the sake of the organization, discussion here applies specifically to horses in rescue/retirement facilities and should not be confused with any breed predilection or discipline.
Hoof Growth:
As a general rule, adult horse hoof growth is approximately 3/8 of an inch (9 millimeters) per month, while hoof growth in a foal is approximately 5/8 of an inch (15 millimeters) per month. With that in mind, an adult horse should be trimmed (or shod) every six to eight weeks so as to maintain proper hoof-pastern axis and more importantly, proper hoof balance in accordance with the needs of the horse. Foals should be trimmed every four weeks.
Start with a Thorough Examination:
Upon entering a facility, a complete physical examination should be performed on every horse. As part of the examination, the feet should be evaluated carefully to identify any hoof wall cracks, bruising, lacerations or any other pathology that needs the attention of the farrier or veterinarian. Any history of laminitis, navicular disease or any other disease entity should be addressed at this time to help facilitate proper shoeing for the horse.
Special Considerations:
Horses entering retirement/rescue facilities come in all shapes and sizes and often require the involvement of the veterinarian and the farrier to address hoof concerns. For example, retired racehorses are often in aluminum shoes with toe grabs. It is thought best to remove these shoes, balance the foot according to conformation and leave the horse barefoot or apply flat steel shoes. These horses often have under-run or sheared heels and require several shoeings to achieve a proper hoof-pastern axis.
Some other items to consider are:
1. Hoof Wall Cracks/Quarter Cracks: A farrier should evaluate and address the crack for infection, necrotic tissue and, most importantly, stability. Stability of a hoof wall crack is necessary for normal hoof growth.
2. Navicular Disease: Often seen in particular breeds and disciplines. If history exists or a diagnosis is made, veterinarian and farrier involvement is necessary to facilitate the shoeing needs of the horse.
3. Laminitis - Chronic versus Acute: Accurate diagnosis, which may require radiographs, is necessary to determine the shoeing needs of the horse. Proper shoeing, good management and nutrition all play a vital role in foot care relative to laminitis.
4. Corrective Shoeing: May sometimes be necessary depending upon injury and conformation. Often required with foals. Consultation with a farrier is recommended.
5. Environment: Hoof care is often dependent upon the environment in which the the horse lives. Moisture can be a problem and can lead to thrush and other problems. Cold weather slows hoof growth and must be considered when trimming is necessary. Shoeing considerations must be addressed and will be different for a frozen pasture versus a rocky pasture, for example.
6. Management: Good nutrition, shelter and dry bedding are all important in maintaining good, healthy feet. Some people advocate the use of feed additives for healthy hoof growth. Basic applied animal husbandry is paramount for normal feet and should never be omitted.
Rely on Qualified Caregivers:
When a horse is to be shod, a qualified farrier who understands the goals of the facility should be involved. This will aid in minimizing any potential hoof problems, as well as correct any previous hoof problems. The horse should be shod or trimmed in accordance to its needs, which is dependent upon its housing, musculoskeletal problems, conformation and environment.
Hind feet shoes are not recommended when horses are turned out in a group, so as to minimize injury to other individuals. However, there exist some musculoskeletal problems in hind feet that require shoeing. There exist numerous other aspects of hoof care that have not been mentioned here.
Management plays a critical role in the success of the retirement/rescue facility and more importantly, in the health of the horse. Good management should incorporate both the veterinarian and the farrier when addressing hoof care for the horse.
CARING FOR THE GERIATRIC HORSE:
The proportion of the equine population living into their 20s and 30s is growing. With proper care the lifespan of geriatric horses can be prolonged, as can their active, healthy status and quality of life. Rescue/retirement facilities should have knowledge of equine diseases and lamenesses common in geriatric horses and be able to identify early signs of disease, distress and injury in order to provide for the special needs of the older horses entrusted in their care.
It is imperative to recognize that caring for the geriatric equine is exacting and laborintensive and may involve considerable expense. At times, difficult decisions concerning quality of life and euthanasia must be made (see “Euthanasia,” Chapter VII).
Health and Disease in the Geriatric Horse:
Older horses are more likely to experience colic, dental disease, tumors, lameness and pituitary disease than younger horses. Alterations in the older horse’s digestive system may predispose it to colic; the most obvious would be dental problems.
The wearing down of grinding surfaces, malocclusions and loss of teeth results in a decreased ability to crush whole grains and forage. This predisposes the animal to poor digestion and esophageal and intestinal obstructions. A thorough dental examination should be performed in the older horse at least once a year and, in some cases, every six months. Dental care alone cannot increase the grinding ability of the older horse.
There is increased prevalence of laminitis in the older horse, and its association with Equine Cushing’s Disease (ECD) places them at higher risk. Cushing’s disease is hyperactivity of the adrenal cortex, representing the most common endocrine disorder of horses.
Musculoskeletal problems are common in the older horse and are an accumulation of past injuries and wear and tear. If we look at recommendations for older people, regular exercise and resistance training improve muscle tone and mobility. Conversely, confinement and lack of movement weaken muscles and bones. Even in the oldest group of horses, movement in a pasture is preferred to stall confinement.
Providing Proper Shelter:
Standards described in Chapter VI, “Shelter, Stalls and Horse Facilities,” should be applied to geriatric horses as necessary to accommodate older horses’ decreased ability to regulate body temperature and increased susceptibility to extremes of heat and cold.
It is essential to protect older horses from heat and/or humidity by providing shade and ventilation. Pastures and paddocks should include natural shade or properly constructed, well-ventilated shelters. Stables may require fans. Body clipping may be necessary to promote dissipation of heat from the body.
It is also essential to protect older horses from extremes of cold through the appropriate combination of shelter, wind breaks and blanketing. Pastures and paddocks should include natural or constructed shelter to provide a dry environment and protection from winds. Soft footing and deep bedding (but not too deep, as it’s harder to move around in) should be considered for older horses with arthritic conditions and other lameness.
A pasture environment is an excellent option for older horses, as turnout promotes beneficial activity. Consistent light exercise regimens are recommended and may improve range of motion and muscle strength. Pasture turnout is preferred over stall rest, because stall rest generally results in increased stiffness and pain. Stall rest should be used only during periods of acute pain or joint instability. Body weight should be reduced to normal or slightly lighter levels to minimize mechanical stress.
Feed and Water:
Standards described in Chapter II, “Nutrition,” should be adapted to the special needs of geriatric horses. The body condition and/or actual body weight of older horses should be monitored carefully, because loss of condition is the most common problem in older horses. Weight loss can indicate abnormal and often treatable conditions, and lost weight is harder to regain in older horses than in younger horses.
Current recommendations of the National Research Council’s Nutrient Requirements of Horses for mature adult horses are in?uenced by several circumstances of the aging horse, including slower metabolism, decreased digestive ef?ciency and decreased level of energy expenditure. Nutrient requirements of geriatric horses more closely approximate those of weanlings in terms of protein, calcium and phosphorous.
Protein requirements are higher in older horses than in younger adult horses, as the ability to digest crude protein is less in geriatric horses. Subsequently, it is suggested that geriatric horses are fed diets containing 14% to 16% crude protein. Loss of muscle mass is a common characteristic of geriatric horses.
Although this has been attributed to decreased levels of activity, nutrition has also been implicated. Leucine, which may stimulate protein synthesis and is relatively high in alfalfa hay, may be useful in preventing loss of muscle mass in geriatric horses.
Phosphorous absorption is also impaired in older horses, such that phosphorous requirements are higher. The ratio of calcium to phosphorous should remain 1:1 or slightly higher. The grain ration typically should be approximately 0.3% phosphorous and 0.3% calcium (not more than 1% calcium) on a dry matter basis.
Older horses are likely to need grain to meet their energy needs. If they are performing, older horses work harder than younger horses at the same level of exercise. Commercial rations designed for geriatric horses are available. Specialized feeds containing a highly digestible fiber and a form of fat for energy must be fed to accommodate older horses. Extruded grains or pellets are more digestible and more easily chewed.
Fat is an excellent source of calories for older horses and is well utilized with almost no increase of digestive upset compared to energy-dense rations containing primarily cereal grains. Commercial grain rations with fat added are available (5 to 8% crude fat content). Another way to increase fat is to add vegetable oil (up to 2 cups per day) or rice bran. If protein is insufficient in the diet, soybean meal is an excellent, high-quality protein source for older horses.
Older horses should receive high-quality roughage because of their decreased ability to digest fiber and to chew forage properly. Sweet, young grass is ideal. Another roughage alternative for older horses is beet pulp, because of its digestibility and calcium content. It can be soaked to make chewing easier.
Hay, when required, should be less mature and lacking in coarse stems, such as mixed hay with 60% legume content. All legume hay, such as straight alfalfa, is not ideal because the protein content may be too high and the phosphorous content is very low, although phosphorous could be supplemented.
If chewing is impaired, chopped hay, hay cubes or roughage-containing pellets are alternatives. Soaking hay cubes and pellets in water will make them easier to chew, while decreasing the risk of choke (obstruction of the esophagus with impacted feed).
Feed supplements are desirable for some older horses. Electrolytes may be appropriate in the performing geriatric horse, as they sweat more at lesser intensity exercise. A probiotic product may help digestion, because of the altered intestinal microbial content of older horses.
Water intake should be monitored in geriatric horses, especially because some of their more common medical conditions are accompanied by increased water intake and increased urine production. Older horses may be less inclined to drink excessively cold water, especially after the loss of a tooth, because cold water may cause discomfort.
If the horse does not drink well, feeding water-soaked feeds (at least 2 gallons of water per feeding) will help increase fluid intake. Addition of 1 to 2 ounces of salt to the feed may also encourage increased water intake but should be done only if the horse has unlimited access to water.
Special attention should be given to older horses pastured with other horses to avoid problems arising from age-associated decreasing aggressiveness. Access to feed should be ensured. Ideally, older horses should be pastured with their peers rather than with younger, more aggressive horses.
Information Sourced From:
