In the 1993 movie Grumpy Old Men (and its 1995 sequel Grumpier Old Men), two ornery curmudgeons curse, whine, and complain their way through senior citizenry. In the 1985 feel-good flick Cocoon, a group of old age home residents escape to outer space to reclaim their youth. For humans, the aging process can be cruel, undignified, painful, and downright depressing. Some grow bitter about it; others try to outrun it.

Horses certainly are not immune to the physical problems associated with geriatric living–slowed digestion, arthritic aches and pains, susceptibility to infections and illness, and increased sensitivity to climatic changes. As the average lifespan for a horse increases–with more living well into their 30s–the onus is on us to make retired life as comfortable as possible for our faithful friends