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Orthopaedic problems
Does your horse trip or stumble frequently? Does he/she
tend to be stiff in the morning? If so, it may be worth
asking your vet to examine him/her. They may be able
to advise you on potential therapies or management
techniques. Osteoarthritis, navicular syndrome and
tendon and ligament problems are very common in the
older horse and may be improved by corrective farriery
or medical treatment.
Heart disease
Heart murmurs are f
requently heard in older horses
and usually occur when one or more valves are leaking.
Usually, the horse does not develop any other clinical
signs and continues to be safe to ride. Heart murmurs
are very common but heart failure is not! However, a
small percentage of murmurs can be dangerous,
especially if they cause heart enlargement. An ultrasound
examination is the best way to determine if the horse is
safe to ride or not. Your vet can advise you if this would
be an appropriate course of action.
Is my
horse
safe
to ride?
15
Old Friends...
Lots of older horses enjoy their exercise
and benefit from a suitable level of work,
but there are some personal safety issues
to take into account.
Equine joint disease
is typically associated
with stiff, arthritic joints in an older horse,
following a busy athletic life. The reality
is that joint pain is a sliding scale of
severity ranging from minor soft tissue
sprains, through to a rigid joint with
little or no cartilage.
Regular examinations should be completed
for older horses that are competing to
ensure rider safety.
Caring for the
older horse