Aging horses require a complete equine diet of minerals and nutrients to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle. You can help your senior horse by mixing appropriate minerals, vitamins and nutrients to meet his horse nutrient requirements and to provide strength, energy, stamina or digestive help.
Minerals
Minerals are involved in the formulation of structural components in the body, muscular contraction and energy transfer. Some minerals are also integral parts of amino acids, vitamins and hormones. Calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) are two macro minerals of great importance in the equine diet. Horses require calcium and phosphorus in relatively large amounts for bone growth, maintenance and repair, as well as many additional body functions. Deficiencies in calcium and/or phosphorus may cause bone disorders in young as well as adult horses.
Calcium: Phosphorus Ratio
The ratio of calcium to phosphorus in the equine diet is also important. Horses must receive an equine diet that contains at least as much calcium as phosphorus or at least a 1:1 ratio of Ca:P. The ideal Ca:P ration is approximately 2:1, but most horses can tolerate a 3:1 or even higher ratio, provided that the total phosphorus content of the diet is adequate. Diets containing inverted Ca:P ratios can contribute to weak bones and lameness in the horse.
Macro Minerals
Other important macro minerals include sodium, chloride, potassium, magnesium and sulfur. Essential trace minerals include copper, zinc, selenium, iodine, iron, manganese and cobalt. The safest way to ensure that the horse is receiving adequate amounts of minerals in proper balance is to feed rations scientifically formulated by professional equine nutritionists.
Vitamins
Vitamins are required by the horse in small amounts to help utilize nutrients for growth, maintenance, reproduction and performance. Vitamins are divided into two categories:
Fat Soluble – Vitamins A, D, E & K
- Vitamin A is essential for energy metabolism, vision, reproduction, growth, and blood and bone function.
- Vitamin D is necessary for proper bone formulation, as well as calcium and phosphorus utilization.
- Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant, and assists in protection and repair of muscle tissue.
- Vitamin K is an important component in blood clotting mechanisms.
Water Soluble – B-Vitamins and Vitamin C
• B-complex Vitamins – Thiamin (B1), riboflavin and other B-vitamins play many important roles in equine metabolism and performance, from acting as essential components in energy metabolism to enhancing hoof growth and strength.
• Vitamin C is a component in general metabolism, iron absorption and blood cell formation.
Pasture
High quality pasture and forages are rich sources of vitamins, and some vitamins are synthesized in the liver while others are created by microbial fermentation in the horse’s large intestine. However, mature forage and forage that has been stored for an extended period of time loses much of its vitamin content, and microbial synthesis may not be adequate to meet all the horse’s vitamin needs. Further, research studies suggest that some older horses may have increased requirements of some vitamins. Therefore, feeds containing adequate amounts of required vitamins are helpful in ensuring nutrient requirements are met.
Feed Options for Aging Horses:
Equine Senior® Horse feed
A complete feed that provides optimum nutrition to support the older horse.
Formulated for older horses—especially those that may be losing weight due to poor nutrient absorption, dental problems or no teeth. Purina® Equine Senior® horse feed is formulated to deliver complete balanced nutrition, including forage, to the aging horse with problems chewing and digesting feed due to older age. The unique Easy-Soak™ Pellet Technology makes it easy to chew, and is more digestible than whole grains, hay or pasture. Plus, horses love the taste.
Equine Senior® Active Healthy Edge® Horse Feed
A concentrate to be fed with hay or forage for the healthy, active lifestyle of your senior horse.
Purina® Equine Senior® Active Healthy Edge® horse feed is formulated for active aging horses that need a diet designed to support light to moderate activity. It is formulated with a high fat and fiber, controlled starch and sugar formula, that delivers all the vitamins and minerals your active aging horse needs. This feed gives you confidence that you are providing balanced nutrition and support.
