Senior horses and trimminG

Many of us have one or two older horses who have given years of riding enjoyment and have shown many different riders the ropes of riding, competing and just having fun. Now they are in their twenties, movements are a bit stiffer and things have slowed down a little, including the rate their hooves grow.

Many older horses exhibit reduced hoof growth compared to their younger counterparts and you are considering the possibility of stretching out farrier visits - the horse is not doing much work and his hooves are not growing much, so he probably does not need to be trimmed as frequently.

This line of reasoning is understandable but it is important to note that all hooves grow more quickly at the toe than at the heel, and over time, this disparity in growth rate can cause the pastern to tilt backward, altering the stress on tendons and other joint structures.

For older horses that may suffer from arthritis or chronic pain due to past injuries, regular trimming is essential to alleviate this strain and discomfort.

If your older horse suffers from arthritis or stiffness, don’t forget to advise your farrier or trimmer so they can adapt their work to make allowances for a horse that may not be bend as easily of lift a hoof as high.

Giving the horse a break during trimming, if possible, can be helpful as can pain-relieving medication prior to the appointment.

Good nutrition is essential for the development of healthy hoof tissue, and the addition of a quality hoof supplement will ensure that older horses receive all the nutrients they need to maintain their hooves in good condition.

The Aussie Farrier Hoof Growth supplement supplies not only the recommended daily dose of 20mg of biotin to improve hoof health and strengthen the hooves, but also includes high levels of methionine, a crucial amino acid for keratin production, along with Bioplex zinc and copper. To preserve the potency of the nutrients, they are encapsulated in pelleted form with Australian grown lucerne and lupins.

Affordably priced, the Aussie Farrier Hoof Growth supplement can be bought from over 50 retailers or online in a range of sizes from a 50 to 150 day supply.