Horses are living into their 30s with improved care, requiring specialized geriatric management to maintain quality of life through their senior years.
Senior horses deserve proactive geriatric management that maintains quality of life through their final years. Weight loss, chronic pain, and dental disease are common but not inevitable with appropriate management. The welfare obligation for horse owners extends to recognizing when quality of life cannot be maintained and making compassionate euthanasia decisions before prolonged suffering occurs. Old horses are not simply lesser horses - they often have rich personalities and deserve the best care their owners can provide.