Are recovered rescue horses more likely to experience health issues as they age than other horses?
As with any older horse, your rescue mare may live longer and have a higher quality of life if any potential medical problems are addressed.
The most important medical requirements to fulfill are annual wellness checks and vaccinations, yearly dental exams, testing and treatment for pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID, formerly known as Cushing’s), and taking care of mobility issues. Your veterinarian may offer additional advice based on the results of the examination. Here is a breakdown of the main medical requirements to address:
Vaccinations
As horses get older, maintaining vaccines becomes more crucial. A horse’s immune system ages similarly to humans in that it becomes less effective. Up until the time of her golden years, your mare will require vaccines as prescribed by your veterinarian and in accordance with AAEP standards.
Joint Support
As horses age, joint support becomes an increasingly important factor. Uncomfortable and immobilizing, arthritis is characterized by the gradual degeneration of the joints. For advice on how to care for your horse, consult your veterinarian. Genuine Haarlem oil help support joints health.
Dental Health
Because tooth irregularities worsen with aging, dental wellness is essential. One of the most crucial methods to ensure that your mare can continue to eat and be healthy is by keeping her teeth clean. Annual dental checkups and floating (the removal of sharp enamel points) are advised by the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP). The majority of horses require more frequent dental care as they age.
PPID
In horses older than 15, PPID (pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction), an endocrine illness (hormone imbalance), affects more than 20% of them. The prevalence rises with age. Elderly horses must undergo annual testing; a negative test does not guarantee that your mare won’t get the illness in the future. Due to the impaired immune system caused by PPID, there may be an increase in intestinal parasite burdens, hoof abscesses, dental issues, or tooth root abscesses. Additionally, it may result in muscular wasting, which weakens the topline of the horse and may impair mobility. Haarlem oil for horses guard against the proliferation of intestinal parasites and eliminate them. Intestinal parasites are a major cause of colic.
Digestive Health
For older horses, gut health is another thing to consider. Currently, there is a lot of interest in the horse microbiome. Age and obesity can also influence the microbiome of horses, just as fasting for as little as 21 days can impact a person’s microbiome in humans. Even while it’s unclear whether hunger will have long-term negative consequences on a horse’s microbiome, cognitive ability, or physiological systems, a high-quality probiotic may be another option to help your mare live as long as possible in good condition.
Many horses can live peacefully into their 30s thanks to current veterinary medicine’s ability to detect and treat dental, hormonal, and movement issues. I sincerely hope you and your rescued mare enjoy many more happy years together.
