In addition to providing honest advice, we at AskHELTIE believe it's important to have a wealth of information available for horse owners. This way, you can expand your knowledge and help your horse to the best of your ability. Together, we ensure that horses come a little closer to nature.
Joints
Senior
Should my horse be retired?
If you have an older horse, there may come a point when your horse is no longer suitable for riding. But when exactly is that? How do you know? And what can you still do then?. The decision of when to retire a horse depends entirely on the individual animal. Many factors determine whether a horse is still suitable for sports, recreation, walks, groundwork, or other activities. In many cases, a horse that can no longer perform in competitive sports may still be fit for lighter work and thrive in that capacity. However, it is also possible that an older horse develops ailments that make it unsuitable for any kind of work, although it may still be able to enjoy a pain-fre...
Senior
Welfare
Does your older horse still dare to lie down?
As your horse gets older, it also becomes stiffer and more rigid. Sometimes, behavioural changes are also noticeable, or your older horse gets a different, lower position in the herd's hierarchy. It is important to be alert to this. Do you know if your horse still dares to lie down? And is it actually bad if he no longer does?. Horses require about half an hour of deep REM sleep each day. This is very important for their health. REM sleep only occurs when they lie flat on the ground. Therefore, lying flat for half an hour a day is essential for every horse. Merely resting or dozing while standing is not enough. Feeling Unsafe As prey animals, horses in the wild are vulnerable to predators, making lying flat to sleep a risky moment. In a herd, standing horses keep watch over those that are lying down. Even so, the sleep...
Weight
Feeding
Senior
What nutritional needs does my older horse have?
As your horse ages, its nutritional needs may change. But how do you know when to do something about the ration? At what age does it start? And what should you feed then? In this article, we give you tips for feeding your old(er) horse.. Some horses start showing signs of aging as early as 15 years old, while others remain very active and healthy well into their twenties. The individual differences are significant, so it’s essential to closely observe your own ‘senior’ horse before determining what they should eat. An older horse is still just a horse In principle, older horses don’t always need a different diet than younger horses, but if your horse has ailments or weight issues, it may be wise to make adjustments. Older horses...
Joints
Minerals
Feeding
Senior
Nine tips for keeping older horses at weight in winter
For older horses, winter is always a somewhat difficult period. They lose weight quickly and are sometimes a bit stiff. As an owner, you do not want your horse to become too thin. That is why it is wise to start taking measures in time. After all, it is much harder to fatten up an older horse once it has lost weight. We give you nine top tips to keep your older horse at weight this winter.. At what age a horse is considered a “golden oldie” depends on the individual animal. Generally, you can assume that from around 15 years of age, you should start paying more attention. However, some horses only show their first signs of aging after the age of 20, and for ponies, it often takes even longer before they can be considered elderly. Why Older Horses Lose Weight There are several reasons why older horses are often harder to keep at a healthy weight: Food absorption becomes less efficie...