As you can see from the above picture of my faithful, very old mare, she can still out run me..........................I hope to be able to catch her when she hits her thirties???  It's bad when you have to start trying to catch her a week before it's time to deworm her again........................or trim her feet.....................or do her teeth.....................she can run like the wind the second you single her out from the herd.  She knows I am up to no good and is gone like a hot.................................blowing and snorting and getting the whole herd to act up as she remains "Lead Mare".  She senses danger and the others immediately go on "Red Alert".

Be Kind To Your Senior Horse

With a Senior Horse, you must make sure a Horse Dentist or Qualified Vet keeps track of their teeth issues.  Many  "in fact most" require specialized feeds for Senior Horses because of their teeth and other advancing years related issues..  Feed them separate if necessary to ensure they are getting the required amounts of nutrition.  Keep them dewormed on a regular basis, they don't to need to fight a load of worms.  Keep their feet trimmed, they need that.

Keep in mind also that there may be some vision loss and Definitely ARTHRITIS.  All old horses have some joint related problems, you need to understand that.  Some worse than others but ALL have old age related joint problems, etc.

If your still riding your faithful friend, you must not treat them like a younger horse.  They cannot tell you how much it hurts.  Often during the ride, they may perform as they always did?  But a few hours later or the next day, they are HURTING.  Big Time!!!

Glucosimine, Chondroitin and MSM (see below) also helps with joints in Senior Horses.  No matter whether a dog or a horse, it takes TIME to work.  Minimum 3+ months.  And NO..............................giving it does not mean you can ride your old friend hard like when he/she was younger.  It simply means the horse may be more comfortable.

Glucosamine For Joint Problems "Glucosamine" is considered a "Chondroprotective Agent" to help Protect and Synthesize "Cartilage" in the joints. Glucosamine is naturally produced in the body and is used as  a building block for the synthesis of important components found in joint
cartilage.

Studies have been performed showing that not only does Glucosamine supply raw materials to help build cartilage, it also helps to stimulate production of other cartilage precursors thereby increasing cartilage synthesis.

There as been a number of human studies performed that demonstrate Glucosamine's success in decreasing clinical signs of ARTHRITIS by decreasing Pain and increasing Joint Mobility.  Since animals have the same requirement for Glucosamine as a precursor to cartilage production, many Veterinarians are strongly supporting the use of Glucosamine as a supplement for helping with Arthritis and other associated joint ailments.

Most veterinarians suggest in their patients, the use of Glucosamine, often in conjunction with prescribed "ANTI-IMFLAMATORIES for the more severe cases.

There are a number of Glucosamine products on the market today.  Sadly many do not have a high enough percentage of Glucosamine in them to be of much if any help at all.

It is shown that products which not only contain GLUCOSAMINE but also the all important MSM and CHONDROITIN, even perhaps other necessary, naturally occurring substances in the body are "Far Superior" supplements.

Beware of spending time and money on products, not purchased from a Veterinarian or other such reliable, knowledgeable source.

Keep in mind that you will not see a great difference in Pain OR Joint Mobility for from a few weeks up to at least 3 months.  Glucosamine takes awhile to be converted to the necessary cartilage precursors.  It works if you are willing to give it time and is fed daily, not sporadically.