b'NUTRITIONthat result from age rather than dental disease, such as smooth SaltOffer a salt block or top-dress feed. mouth or missing teeth. They may be unable to chew forage suf-ficiently, which may result in (additional signs such as) choke or WaterProvide ad-lib. impactions of the large colon (a form of colic).To prevent choke or colic, she says, these horses benefit from a no long-fiber diet composed of commercial high-fiber pellets, As the population of senior and geriatric horses grows, sofor example. You can offer these dry or soaked, and theyre often does interest in the best ways to feed them. Nicola G. Jarvis,low in starch and sugar and, therefore, suitable for older horses BVetMed, CertAVP(EM), CertAVP(ESST), MRCVS, senior vet- with PPID.erinary surgeon at Redwings Horse Sanctuary, in Norfolk, U.K.,Be aware that other factors can also contribute to weight recommends basing diet decisions on horses apparent age andloss, such as chronic pain due to osteoarthritis or social issues disease status rather than simply chronological age. such as competition for food by herdmates, Jarvis adds.Horses that are maintaining good body condition, are clini-cally normal and in use, either performance or reproduction, can manage just fine on a standard adult maintenance diet,Broodmaressays Jarvis. It is only once problems arisefailing dentition be-ing the commonest challenge older horses facethat diet mustForageOffer ad-lib. Avoid tall fescue during the third be altered. trimester.Signs of dental disease can include quidding (dropping partially chewed food from the mouth), halitosis (bad breath),ConcentrateWhen energy demands increase, add a com-sinusitis (sinus infection), pocketing food in the cheeks, weightmercial concentrate feed, and follow the loss, inappetence, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), andmanufacturers recommendations for each stage changes in fecal consistency.of gestation.Routine annual dental care is essential in all horses but may need to be carried out more frequently in the older horse, saysFatAdd fat (vegetable oil, usually) to the diet slowly Jarvis. Nonetheless, these animals may still have dental issuesfor extra calories.The Horse That Matters to You Matters toUsChallenge:Maintaining condition during competition and trainingSolution: Equi-Jewel High-Fat Rice BranMaintains optimal conditionSupports muscle overthe toplineWont cause excitability; low in starch and sugarSatisfaction GuaranteedTH 2019-02bSimple Solutions, Scientifically ProvenGot questions? Contact us: KPPusa.com, 859-873-2974TheHorse.com|The HorseDecember 201933Nutrition_Dec USE.indd 33 10/30/19 4:03 PM'