David Pugh, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACT, ACVN, a professor at Auburn University, spoke at the AAEP’s Horseman’s Day on Geriatric Nutrition. He said a geriatric is a horse over 20 years of age. “Just like us when we age, horses have problems,” said Pugh. “Horses’ intestines, eyes, and so on wear out. Because of the care people are providing, the potential exists for a horse to live into its 30s and 40s. I know of one stallion who is 45, and they still collect him!”

As horses age, they either gain weight and are obese or they are thin, he noted. Chronic parasitism throughout life can be a problem in providing proper nutrition to older horses. He said the most common problem he sees are horses which are too thin owned by older people whose kids used to ride and now the horses don’t have the same care