Just as the name means, senior horse feed is specifically for horses that reach the elderly age and begin to have problems. Today, if you are a rancher or even are around other horses, you may notice that horses are living longer, healthier lives than say the past 25 years.
The reason for this is mainly due to extensive research and better education going into developing better feed for the older horses and better care given by the caretakers. One detail many get confused over is whether senior horse feed and complete feed are the same.
The answer to this is, no. With complete food, the purpose is for feeding a horse nothing but the feed as a solo diet and not much else. If any extra food is part of their diet, it will be small amounts of grass or hay.
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Senior horse feeds come formulated to ensure it meets the nutritional needs of the aging horse. These needs are much different from a younger horse’s need for nutrition.
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How Are Senior Horse’s Feed Different Than Other Feed?
Energy Levels are Much Different
Just as elderly humans, aging horses have a different and slower energy requirement than younger counterparts. As the aging process takes place, there will be a decrease in the maintenance energy requirements. That energy is what keeps both animals and humans maintaining an active life.
One theory on this is that it happens due to lesser amounts of fat-free mass in the animal’s body. Although there are many ideas and suggestions, the exact reason for the decline is unknown. The reason for there being less- fat-free mass within the body? Mainly due to less physical activity the horse receives.
The purpose of this article is to educate our readers on as much as possible relating to senior horse feeds. That also includes The 5 Best Senior Horse Feed And What Makes It Different. Keep in mind; our job is to provide you with the best sellers. We do not endorse or favor one company over another.
The 5 Best Senior Horse Feed And What Makes It Different:
Purina Mills Equine Senior Active 50 lb. Bag
This first product is by one of the most trusted companies when It comes to animal products, Purina Mills. Anyone that has or had a pet of any type has at one point bought a Purina product. The Purina Mills Equine Senior Active is a leading selling product on the market.
The feed has amplifyreg nuggets that provide much higher fat than flax seed rice bran combined with vegetable oil. For immune support, the feed supplies an ample amount of probiotics. This Purina winner has the perfect formula that aids in controlling sugars and starch for maintaining your horse’s blood sugar.
The following are a few perks to feeding your senior horse this excellent product from Purina:
- Contains Vitamin E
- Provides support for the horse’s immune system as a whole
- Controlled Sugar and Starches
- Formulated for an exclusive amino-acid profile
- Helps with supporting strong muscle growth shiny coat, healthy hooves, and a shiny coat
- Supplies your horse with at least 100 required minerals and vitamins
This product supports a healthy digestive system while concentrating on a feed formulated to feed with forage or hay. Click here to view this product, which comes in a 50 lb. Textured bag.
ADM Alliance Nutrition 10130AB 50 lbs. SeniorGlo Horse Feed Pellets
The unique features of this ADM Alliance Nutrition SeniorGlo Horse Feed Pellets are just what older horses or ones with special dietary needs should have for their nutrition. The container is 50 lbs. Individual details about this best seller are as follows:
- Has Omega Flax
- Concentrated Formula
- Has GROSTRONG Vitamins with Electrolytes and Minerals
- Perfect nutritional balance for senior horses as well as those that are three years and older that need added nutrition.
- Has stabilized rice bran that offers a source of ingredients that reduce the amount of energy that comes from natural rice oil.
As you can see, this product packs a powerful punch for your aging horse. Click here to read more details as well as place your safe and secure order.
Manna Pro Senior Weight Accelerator, 8 lb.
This product, Manna Pro Senior Weight Accelerator comes in an eight-pound bag and is perfect for senior horses or those with a need for a special diet. It is a weight gain product that supplies the essential calories for weight gain as well as full-body enhancement.
The feed also comes loaded with the following:
- Essential Vitamins
- Omega- 3’s
- Probiotics
You will also find the feed is simple for aging horses to eat and they never reject having a bowl full. To read more on this product, click here.
Blue Seal Sentinel® Senior, 50 lb.
Next on this list of senior horse feed is this Blue Seal SentinalA Senior feed for aging horses that have declining or poor dental hygiene and teeth. This product comes in a 50 lb. Package and is always a winner with aging horses.
Not only is the food the best choice for those aging horses with dental issues, but it is also an excellent choice if you need to get your horse to eat more to improve weight concerns. The ingredients combined is what makes this a tasty choice no horse will deny. Be sure to check the product by clicking here.
Source Focus Senior
Focus SR offers your aging horse what others do not. The best part about this product, (other than nutrition) is the manufacturer understands and specializes in knowing what the missing link other products struggle with finding.
Knowing that aging horses deserve as much added help once their metabolic system changes due to age. The specified additives that make this feed stand out are the following:
- Anti-oxidants
- Vitamins
- Omega Fatty Acids
- Chelated Minerals
- Beneficial Microbes
Adding this nutritional supplement to your aging horse’s diet can improve its well-being and quality of life. Click here to read more, learn more, and place your order today.
There you have The 5 Best Senior Horse Feed And What Makes It Different. If you are still unsure, be sure to talk with your vet to find the best product for your horse.
Aging Horses and the Changes They Go Through
Determining a horse’s aging process can at times seem difficult. Most professionals that handle horses feel the aging process typically takes place over a span of multiple years. There is no magic number of the chronological threshold to determine “old age” in horses. However, aging can typically become noticeable due to the following changes:
- Coat color
- Lower muscles along with the fat ratio
- Dental disease
- Reduced body function
- Reduced mobility
Some horses may begin to show signs of aging at a young 12 years old as others remain well and active at 25 years old or even in their 30’s. However, the average lifespan of horses is around 25 years of age. Thanks to science and improved medical awareness, horses are living longer, healthier and safer lives.
When is a Horse Considered a “Senior”?
Typically, horses that live over 20 years are “seniors or aged.” That is especially true when considering the horses feeding and its nutritional needs. Even if the horse is in excellent general health, the aging process still takes place.
Once a horse reaches 30 years old that has arthritis, organ disease or other issues that cause reduced mobility, and extreme discomfort is considered geriatric. Once retired, you could very well see your horse live longer than first expected.
Healthy horses naturally are the simplest ones to care for their nutritional needs. The reason for this is due to their appetite and the freedom and ability to exercise. Also, grazing helps keep the horse in a better state and quality of life.
If you have a diseased or sick elderly horse, you may find it needs specialized nutrition to retain the animal’s moderate health condition. When you take these other steps, you are supplying the animal a better life and higher odds of recovering and living a useful, extended lifespan.
Signs and Symptoms of the Aging Horse
The common symptoms that associate with the changes that take place in the condition of physical appearance is the best way to know the signs of aging. That also depends on the individual horse as well and the degree of old age.
When it comes to old age, these symptoms are the ones you need to watch and keep a close watch on to see what gets better or what gets worse:
- Chronic diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Severe weight loss over a 6-12-month span
- The condition of the teeth
- Diminished muscle tone
- Swaybacked
- Reduced amount of fat deposits above the eyes
- Prominent backbone
FAQs:
Q: When should I begin feeding the special food for aging horses?
A: When you begin to notice a change taking place in your horse. The signs and symptoms above are a great starting place on what to look for in your horse.
Q: What if I wait too late to start the special food?
A: The first signs you see of the aging process, begin adding the food for aging horses to their diet. The sooner, the better. If you wait, you may be leading your horse to an early death.
Conclusion
As you can see, keeping a close watch on your horse as it begins to age is vital. Once aging begins, nutritional needs, as well as physical abilities, will change. Unless you take control of the dietary requirements, sadly, your horse will die an early age.
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