🐴 Feeding Senior Horses: Nutrition, Dental Health, and Safe Diets for 2025 🦷🥣

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

Feeding senior horses isn’t as simple as switching to a "senior feed." In 2025, we know that nutrition for older equines must account for dental health, metabolic conditions, and changes in digestion. If you’re caring for an aging horse, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know—from feed textures to carbohydrate concerns. 🧠🐎

🦷 Not Every Senior Needs Senior Feed

A common myth is that any horse over 15 should be on a specialized senior feed. The reality is: it depends on the horse’s teeth. Many older horses maintain excellent condition on:

• 🌿 Pasture and hay
• 🔬 A balanced vitamin/mineral supplement

Your veterinarian should evaluate the horse’s teeth regularly to determine whether they can still chew and grind long-stem forage. If they can—great! If not, adjustments are needed. 🦷🧐

🚫 Dental Issues and Feeding Challenges

Common dental issues in seniors include:

• 🔹 Worn molars or missing teeth
• 🔹 Sharp enamel points and ulcers
• 🔹 Loose or infected teeth

These can make it difficult—or impossible—for the horse to break down hay. Feeding long-stem forage to horses with dental disease increases the risk of:

• 🥴 Choke (esophageal obstruction)
• 💧 Poor nutrient absorption

In these cases, your vet may recommend a complete pelleted or soaked feed that doesn’t require chewing. 🥣💦

🧬 Consider Medical Conditions Like EMS or PPID

Many older horses also suffer from:

• 📈 Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS)
• 🌒 PPID (Cushing’s Disease)

These conditions make horses sensitive to starch and sugar. Choosing a senior feed high in carbohydrates could trigger laminitis or metabolic crashes. ❌

Look for feeds that are:

• ✔️ Low in non-structural carbohydrates (NSC)
• ✔️ Fortified with fat instead of sugars for calories
• ✔️ Balanced with key minerals like magnesium and chromium

⚖️ Weight Management: Not Too Thin, Not Too Fat

Older horses may:

• 📉 Lose weight due to poor teeth or digestion
• 📈 Gain too much weight on inappropriate diets

To help maintain weight safely:

• 🥄 Increase calories with vegetable oils, rice bran, or flaxseed
• 📉 Avoid high-carb sweet feeds
• 🕒 Split feedings into 3–4 smaller meals per day

Excess weight also worsens arthritis and joint stiffness, so your vet should monitor weight regularly and adjust accordingly. 🦴🐎

🍽️ Feed Forms for Older Horses

Depending on your horse’s dental and metabolic status, the following options may be appropriate:

• 🟢 Long-stem hay (for those with healthy teeth)
• 🟡 Chopped hay or soaked cubes (for moderate dental wear)
• 🔴 Complete senior feed or mash (for horses with little/no molar grinding)

Always soak feed thoroughly if your horse has trouble chewing or has a history of choke. 💦

📲 Ask A Vet for Custom Senior Horse Nutrition Plans

Need help creating a safe feeding routine for your aging horse? Visit AskAVet.com or download the Ask A Vet App to get:

• 🧮 Personalized feed calculators
• 🔬 Veterinary guidance for metabolic horses
• 📋 Senior health tracking tools

Dr Duncan Houston and the Ask A Vet team are ready to help your senior horse live longer, healthier, and more comfortably. 🐴💬

🏁 Final Thoughts

In 2025, feeding senior horses is all about individualized care. Age alone doesn’t mean your horse needs a senior feed—but dental health, metabolic status, and weight trends do. With the right diet and ongoing veterinary input, your senior horse can thrive well into their golden years. 🐎🦷🥣

Need a Senior Horse Feed Chart or Weight Tracker? Visit AskAVet.com to download yours now 📄📱