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- Older, uncertain horses almost always need a companion.
- © Stacey Nedrow-Wigmore
Question: Over the past few years we have managed to gather up several elderly (over about 25) rescue horses. Every year during their complete physical exam I ask my veterinarian about the possibility of my "old people" being senile or acquiring some form of equine dementia. There doesn't seem to be a firm answer regarding this. A boarder's horse recently died of renal failure. The horse was 30 years old and at times, I wasn't sure he "knew" where he was; often his sleep state was filled with nickers, and it seemed he'd "run" in his sleep, and while awake he seemed to wander aimlessly. As he declined both physically and mentally he seemed to slip into these behaviors more regularly. Is there information and/or studies that seem to point that horses acquire some form of dementia as a result of old age? Also the aged pony we used as a companion seemed to slip into a depression now and again (caretakers' syndrome?) so we'd give her a few days off, and she'd brighten up. Any empirical data on that as well? Thank you for any information you can give to help those of us caring for a geriatric horse or community.
Answer: Since many of us are keeping our horses in good shape well into their older years, this is a very relevant question. There is no specific research that I have seen on dementia in horses, however, it is recognized in humans and dogs. So there is reason to think it can happen with horses. I work with many older horses, and it is a common to see them exhibit signs of confusion or uncertainty. They do not always seem present, even when their familiar people or horse companions are right there with them.
In the past, and still in many people's views we should "put the animal out of its misery" if he/she seems to be failing. However, with more attention being paid to hospice care in the human world and the desire to let our companion horses live out their entire life, the idea of hospice care for horses is very valid. With that aging population come brain and body functions that are not that of a younger animal. This is OK. We do not run out and put our grandmother down just because some of her body parts are beginning to fail--we find ways to help her, both medically and physically. Obviously there are more limits with horses than with people or small animals. We cannot give them a walker or a wheelchair, nor can we pick them up and carry them outside to enjoy a day in the sun or to relieve themselves. Horses whose ability to stand and walk are gone will have to be helped into the next phase of life (or put down depending on how you look at it).
As long as the horse looks forward to each day, looks for each meal and lets us know he wants to keep going, we should honor that if at all possible. If he is a bit confused about the day, or forgets where his food tub is for a little while, or sleeps longer and harder than in the past, it is OK. She may spend more time actually lying down, and if she can get up on her own, it is OK. I know quite a few horses who would get a bit stuck or lay down in the wrong place (facing uphill for example) and would be helped up with a tractor and a few neighbors. These horses were very peaceful and accepting of the help. Once up they would stay up on their feet for many more months. Some were wiser than others and never got in a sticky place again, while others would require help a couple times a month. If the facilities exist for this to happen without injury to the horse or humans, it is OK.
As with hospice care in humans, the horse's needs are important. Company is almost always required in the form of a kind pasture companion, preferably one the horse knows already. As you indicated in your letter, this can be stressful for the companion so it is important to pay attention to that horse's needs also and give her a break at times. Sometimes the companion will not leave the older one alone. Occasionally the companion will work hard to not let the old one lay down too much, or when the time is near, will even chase the old one to keep him from lying down and leaving.
