Horses are living significantly longer due to improved veterinary care, creating growing welfare needs for geriatric equines. Understanding and meeting the needs of senior horses improves quality of life in their later years.
Senior horse welfare requires proactive management across multiple body systems. Dental care is paramount — horses with worn, missing, or diseased teeth cannot chew properly, leading to weight loss, choke risk, and chronic pain. Regular dental examinations (every 6 months for older horses) and treatment prevent significant suffering. PPID causes a range of problems including laminitis, muscle wasting, and immune suppression that require medication and management changes. Nutritional support through senior feeds, soaked hay, or complete feeds compensates for reduced digestive efficiency. Arthritis management includes appropriate exercise, pain medication, joint supplements, and environmental modifications such as soft bedding and rubber matting. Euthanasia decisions for senior horses are among the most difficult for owners; welfare-based assessment tools guide these conversations and help prevent prolonged suffering at end of life.