🧓 Vet Guide to Managing Older Horses | 2025 Health Screening, Vaccination & Laminitis Prevention Tips 🐴

By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc

Thanks to advances in **nutrition, preventative care, and veterinary medicine**, more horses are living longer than ever before. In fact, nearly **30% of horses in the U.S. are over 15 years old**. But with age comes new challenges—especially when it comes to **immunity, dental health, and endocrine diseases**. 🧠🦷📈

This 2025 guide covers what every horse owner needs to know about managing senior horses—including how to tailor vaccinations, detect Cushing’s early, prevent laminitis, and care for aging teeth. 🩺🐴

📉 Immunity Decreases with Age

Just like humans, **older horses have weaker immune responses**, which makes them more susceptible to infections—**even if vaccinated**. For example, studies show older horses are more likely to contract **influenza**, despite having existing immunity. 🧬🦠

Key Vaccination Tips for Older Horses:

• 💉 Do not assume past vaccines are still effective—revaccination may be needed
• ⚠️ All vaccines are not equal—consult your vet about choosing the most updated and effective ones
• 📅 Consider **more frequent boosters** for horses over 15 years old

💉 Killed vs. Modified Live Vaccines

Vaccines come in two main types—**killed (inactivated)** and **modified live**. Their effectiveness depends on how your horse’s immune system responds. 🧪

🧠 Differences Matter:

• 💊 **Killed vaccines** primarily stimulate **antibody** production
• 🧬 **Modified live vaccines** stimulate both **antibody and cell-mediated immunity**

Which one is right for your horse depends on **age, health history**, and the **disease being prevented**. Your veterinarian can help create a personalized vaccine protocol. 📋

🦷 Dental Disease in Seniors

Dental issues are one of the most common and overlooked problems in older horses. And no—**floating teeth alone isn’t enough**. Comprehensive dental exams should include imaging, pain assessment, and individualized diet plans. 🩺🦷

Watch for Dental Warning Signs:

• 🥕 Difficulty chewing or dropping feed
• 👃 Foul-smelling breath or nasal discharge
• 📉 Weight loss or reluctance to eat hay

Some senior horses require **dental X-rays** to diagnose deep-rooted problems, sinus infections, or jawbone changes. Unchecked, these can cause **chronic pain and infection**. 🧠📸

📦 Feed Adjustments for Older Horses

With worn teeth and reduced gut efficiency, older horses often struggle to chew or absorb nutrients from traditional hay. Consider:

• 🍃 Soft, leafy alfalfa
• 🥣 Soaked hay cubes or senior complete feeds
• 💧 Increased water intake support during colder months

Tailor feed based on **dental health and metabolic condition**—your vet can help formulate the right mix. 🧠

⚖️ Weight & Endocrine Disorders: The Laminitis Link

The most common health threats to older horses are **equine metabolic syndrome (EMS)** and **Cushing’s disease (PPID)**. Both disrupt hormone regulation and can lead to **painful laminitis** if not diagnosed early. 🦠🔥

Why This Matters:

• ⚠️ Many Cushing’s horses do NOT look overweight
• 🚨 Laminitis can be **fatal or career-ending**
• 🧪 Blood tests can detect both conditions before symptoms appear

Every older horse should be **screened at least once a year**, even if they appear normal. 📉

🧬 Cushing’s Disease in Horses

Cushing’s is a hormonal disorder caused by dysfunction in the pituitary gland, leading to **excess cortisol production**. Over time, this weakens immunity and increases the risk of **laminitis, skin infections, and muscle loss**. 🧠

Classic Symptoms of Cushing’s:

• 🧽 Delayed or patchy shedding
• 🧼 Chronic skin infections
• 💪 Loss of topline muscle
• 🦷 Dental decay
• 🧊 Recurrent laminitis

🧪 Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS)

EMS affects **insulin regulation**, often in overweight or cresty horses, and increases the risk of **laminitis** with or without Cushing’s. It can occur in horses as young as 10 but is most common in seniors. 📊

EMS Warning Signs:

• ⚖️ Easy weight gain with little feed
• 🧈 Fat deposits on the neck, shoulders, or tailhead
• 🩺 Previous episodes of mild laminitis or foot tenderness

Both EMS and Cushing’s can be **managed with medication, diet, and farrier care**, but only if diagnosed early. 🧬💉

📸 Don’t Wait for Clinical Signs

Many horses with Cushing’s or EMS have **no outward symptoms** until laminitis or other complications strike. Regular blood screening is the best prevention tool we have. 🧪

📲 Use Ask A Vet to Manage Senior Horse Care

The Ask A Vet app helps you navigate aging horse care with confidence:

• 📋 Track weight, vaccines, and dental visits
• 📱 Ask about vaccine choices for older immune systems
• 🧪 Upload lab results for Cushing’s or EMS for vet review
• 📸 Monitor feet for signs of laminitis or soreness

It’s your digital tool for senior health success. 🐴📲

✅ Senior Horse Care Takeaways

• 🧓 30% of U.S. horses are over 15—care must evolve with age
• 🩺 Immunity weakens with age; choose vaccines carefully
• 🦷 Dental disease needs full exams, not just floating
• 🧬 Screen all older horses for Cushing’s and EMS annually
• 📱 Use Ask A Vet to manage aging horses with vet-backed plans

📲 Final Thoughts from Dr Duncan Houston

Senior horses offer wisdom, loyalty, and companionship—but they need targeted care to live pain-free and healthy lives. From endocrine screenings to dental exams, the best medicine for aging horses is **early, consistent attention**. 🧠💙

Download the Ask A Vet app today to build a proactive health plan for your older horse—because age should be respected, not feared. 🐎📱