Horses are our companions, sport partners and fascinate with their charisma – whether pony or thoroughbred. For a healthy life into old age, joints, metabolism and digestion demand our attention.
Longevity in horses begins – as with all animals – with the basics:
Designed by nature for 16 hours of slow walking. Almost permanent nibbling on low-energy grasses. Regular, albeit short, periods of deep sleep while lying down.
It immediately becomes clear that 23 hours of box stall confinement, short but very intense training, and three daily feeds of highly concentrated grain is not the right approach. Such husbandry promotes digestive problems, joint wear, and metabolic disorders. All associated with inflammatory reactions that accelerate cellular aging.
Classic joint supplements (hyaluronic acid, green-lipped mussel) are good, but often not enough. If a joint is already inflamed (osteoarthritis), the best building material is useless if the construction site is on fire.
Against osteoarthritis in horses, anti-inflammation and cartilage nutrition in combination are therefore a successful team. During acute flare-ups, veterinary intervention makes sense to stop the inflammation. In addition to medication, radiation therapy can also successfully reduce pain and inflammation in the joint. This is complemented by balanced exercise management and the administration of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which actively counteract inflammation.
In the future, ingredients like Fisetin, Quercetin, or Dasatinib could help to permanently reduce inflammation in the joint. However, they are still too little researched for use in horses.
With age, the bacterial composition in the horse's gut (microbiome) shifts, which can impair nutrient absorption. The efficiency of metabolism also declines. Old horses often lose weight despite eating well. Targeted support of the gut flora and regular check-ups are essential. This way, dental problems are also spotted more quickly.
"Re-feeding" an old horse is significantly harder than maintaining good condition. Special attention is needed in winter, when cold and wet weather consumes additional energy.