🧓 Vet Guide: Senior Horse Care | 2025 Vaccination, Nutrition & Dental Tips for Horses Over 15 🐴

By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc

Just like people, horses go through physiological changes as they age. And by the time a horse reaches 15 years old, it’s considered a senior—and its care needs begin to shift. Whether your older horse is still active or mostly retired, keeping it healthy requires **proactive veterinary care**, **adjusted nutrition**, and **more frequent monitoring**. 🧠🐎

In this 2025 guide, I’ll explain the key components of senior horse care, from immunity and parasite control to dental work and metabolic health. 🩺📋

💉 Senior Horses Have Weaker Immunity

One of the most important things to know about older horses is that their **immune systems aren’t as strong** as they were in youth. This means they don’t respond to disease—or even vaccines—with the same efficiency. ⚠️

What This Means:

• 💉 Annual **vaccinations are non-negotiable**—including boosters
• 🧪 Discuss **antibody titers** if you’re unsure your horse is protected
• 🚫 Keep older horses separated from **traveling or show horses**, when possible

Your vet may recommend a **different vaccination protocol** based on age and risk. 🧠

🪱 Parasite Control Is Still Critical

Many older horses also become **more susceptible to internal parasites**. And unfortunately, many over-the-counter dewormers sold at feed stores are **no longer effective**—especially in regions like Texas. 🦠

Best Practices for Deworming Seniors:

• 🧪 Use **fecal egg count testing** to assess parasite burden
• 💊 Deworm only with **vet-recommended, effective products**
• 🔄 Rotate pastures and remove manure regularly to reduce egg load

Blanket deworming every few months is outdated—and may even contribute to resistance. ❌

🌾 Nutrition: Transition to a Senior-Friendly Diet

Older horses often have **dental wear, reduced digestive efficiency**, and difficulty maintaining weight. That’s why many require **senior feeds**, which are softer, more digestible, and balanced to meet older horses' needs. 📉

Feeding Tips for Older Horses:

• 🌾 Choose a **complete senior feed** if chewing hay becomes difficult
• 🌱 Offer **pasture or soaked hay** if teeth are still functional
• 🥗 Monitor **body condition score** monthly
• 💧 Provide fresh water at all times, even in cold months

Ask your vet about supplementing with **vegetable oil, beet pulp**, or **ration balancers** as needed. 🧠

🧬 Check for Metabolic Diseases

Did you know that up to **30% of horses over 15** may show signs of **Cushing’s disease (PPID)** or **Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS)**? These conditions affect hormone levels, coat shedding, fat storage, and insulin function. 🧪

Signs to Watch For:

• 🧔 Long, curly coat that doesn’t shed in summer
• 🍩 Fat deposits along the crest, shoulders, or sheath
• ⚠️ Recurrent laminitis or sore feet
• 📉 Weight loss or muscle wasting despite good appetite

Ask your vet to **screen for PPID or insulin resistance**—especially if your senior horse seems “off” or slow to recover from stress. 🧠

🦷 Dental Exams Are a Lifesaver

Senior horses are **especially vulnerable to dental disease**. Sharp points, missing teeth, wave mouth, and infections can all make chewing difficult—and **can drastically shorten a horse’s lifespan if not addressed**. 🦷

Dental Care Checklist:

• 📅 Exams every **6 months**—minimum
• 🧪 Floating as needed to correct sharp edges
• ⚠️ Monitor for bad breath, dropping feed, or quidding
• 💡 Check for cheek ulcers, fractured molars, or gum infections

A sore mouth means poor eating, poor digestion, and slow decline. Prevention is far easier than treatment. 🩺

📲 Use Ask A Vet for Senior Horse Management

The Ask A Vet app helps horse owners build a reliable senior care plan, with expert help available anytime:

• 📋 Log annual vaccinations, dental exams, and fecal tests
• 🧠 Ask about nutrition or metabolic screening
• 📱 Track body condition, laminitis episodes, and diet changes
• ⚕️ Get customized plans for Cushing’s, PPID, or arthritis care

Support your senior partner for a longer, healthier life. 🐴📲

✅ Senior Horse Care Takeaways for 2025

• 💉 Senior horses need **strong immune support and vaccination plans**
• 🪱 Fecal testing and **targeted deworming** help avoid resistance
• 🌾 Senior feeds support horses with **dental issues or weight loss**
• 🧬 Screen for **PPID and metabolic syndrome** over age 15
• 🦷 Dental exams twice a year are **essential to longevity**
• 📱 Use Ask A Vet to build a care plan that adapts to aging needs

📲 Final Thoughts from Dr Duncan Houston

Senior horses bring wisdom, loyalty, and experience to every barn—and they deserve the best care we can give. By adjusting their routine, screening for metabolic issues, and prioritizing nutrition and dentistry, you can **add years of comfort and quality to their lives**. 🧠💙

Download the Ask A Vet app to manage senior care routines, monitor changes, and keep your aging horse happy, healthy, and thriving. 🐎📱