Over the last century, the horse’s place in society has shifted from that of an absolute necessity, primarily used for transportation and labor, to more of a pleasure animal. Today, horses are most commonly companion animals, lesson horses, breeding stock, and sporting competitors, with more limited use in farm and ranch work. This change in usage has resulted in an increasing geriatric horse population and, accordingly, the need to better understand the complexities of geriatric horse health.

The University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (UKVDL) plays an important role in its support of Kentucky’s horse industry. From June 1, 2010, and June 30, 2012, 113 horses aged 15 years and older were submitted to the UKVDL for necropsy.

Review of these necropsy cases revealed that the main organ system contributing to the death of this group of aged horses was the digestive system, followed rather closely by the cardiovascular system