34

2014

Talking Horses
The newsletter with news, views and practical advice

From the

editor

In this issue...

We received great feedback from our 5 part series on pastures in E29-E33. If

you would like to receive the complete series with an index page for future
reference, please email Gary at newsletters@kohnkesown.com

SPECIAL REVIEW Part 1

* The Aged Horse feeding and general care
Plus handy hints and lots more!

This special issue is dedicated to the feeding, care and management

Choke in Aged Horses, Ponies
and Miniatures
of the aged horse. Many of you have elderly horses as part
Choke
can
occur
in
aged
horses as they attempt to chew dry
of your equine family. Horses over 20 years of age are
long stemmed hay and dry stands of pasture, especially if their teeth are
regarded as being in their senior years. Overall, horses
unable to masticate their food or they do not salivate sufficiently to lubricate
have an average lifespan of around 24 years, although
each mouthful before they swallow. If an aged horse is fed as part of a group, it may
attempt to eat the hard feed and hay provided more quickly due to competition with
many well cared for seniors are still active up to 30
younger, more agile or aggressive horses. Localised nerve damage associated with the
years and beyond.
swallowing process is also a possible cause of choke in aged horses. Aged horses under
cold conditions may not drink enough water, especially miniatures, resulting in a higher

Our elderly equine companions often need special

incidence of choke and impaction colic. It is good practice to feed soaked hay (10 mins
soaking in luke-warm water) in individual bins to elderly horses. Feeding hay in round
care as they age past 30 years, as organ and other
bales also increases the risk of choke. It is best to portion out and dampen the
diseases, such as arthritis which results in discomfort
hay for each elderly horse. Where the teeth are diseased or worn away,
and reduced mobility, class them as being geriatric.
chopped hay or chaff is more efficiently utilised, as is
soaked beet fibre, lupin or soya bean hulls
Indeed, many horses now live longer in retirement than the
Handy Hint 1
as easily fermentable fibre sources.
number of years during which they were in work.
I hope you find this issue of particular interest in providing
guidelines for caring for your elderly equines.
Best wishes,

Dr John Kohnke BVSc. RDA

Beware of Sand
Colic in Aged Horses
Aged horses grazing on sandy country have
an increased risk of sand colic compared with
younger horses. Drought reduces pasture cover and
more sand is consumed when horses graze close to the soil
surface. Heavy rain can splash fine sand onto the blades of grass
which are then grazed off, increasing sand ingestion. Fine drift sand
and coastal beach-like sand increase the risk of sand accumulation in
the hind gut as gut motility may be reduced in old horses. The fine sand
mixes with food residues to accumulate and narrow the hindgut passage
during digestion. Infection with heavy burden of resting Small Redworm
larvae (Cyathostomes) in the hindgut wall can increase the risk of sand colic
in all horses, especially aged horses. It is important to worm aged horses
regularly, as their natural immune reaction to internal worms, although
weak in horses, may be further compromised as they age. It is a good idea
to submit samples of fresh manure (one manure ball only is sufficient) to
your vet every 6 months for a faecal egg count to see if your horse needs
worming. An egg count of more than 500 strongyle eggs per gram
indicates that the aged horse should be wormed out.
A dose rate of 70 -100g of psyllium husk per 100 kg body weight
mixed into at least 5 times its volume of course feed mix
(oat hulls, sunflower hulls), given on two
consecutive days once a month, is
recommended for sand removal.
Consult your vet for advice.

Handy Hint 2

Did you know...

The oldest recorded horse, Old Billy (presumably not his name in
his earlier years) died at the age of 62 years in 1822 in Lancashire
in the UK. He worked as a barge horse until his late 30s.

Donkeys generally live to a greater age compared with horses, with

one donkey, Alice, at the Good Samaritan Donkey Sanctuary at
Clarence Town, NSW passing away at 56 years of age.

Thoroughbreds usually age more rapidly once they reach 20 years

of age, as they suffer weight loss at an earlier age before similarly
aged ponies, miniatures and genetically good doers of any breed.

There is no definite threshold for entering old age in horses,

as it can vary between individual horses and even breeds of
horses. Unfortunately, organ and genetic diseases, such as
Cushings Disease, affecting up to 16% of aged horses, as well
as grey horses with melanomas, which have an incidence of up
to 40% of grey horses, especially Arabians, can end their lifespan
prematurely. Health records indicate that up to 33% of aged
horses decline in health and condition due to dental problems.
They often die prematurely because of inability to graze or chew
their food, or secondary septicaemia from infected teeth or gums.

Free call: 1800 112 227 - Free fax: 1800 112 228
Website: www.kohnkesown.com
Email: info@kohnkesown.com
Address: PO Box 3234, Rouse Hill, NSW, 2155
Copyright 2014 John Kohnke Products

Talking Horses

Equestrian Issue 34 2014

The Aged Horse - Feeding and General Care

The population of senior horses has increased over the past two decades
because many owners are now willing to care for aging and retired horses after
years of enjoyment as a riding or breeding horse. Many aged horses are still
active and being ridden regularly into their mid-twenties. Horse owners are
now more aware of the care needed for elderly horses. Veterinary clinics in
semi-urban areas are seeing 2-3 times the number of senior patients, compared
with 20 years ago. A recent study in Queensland found that 33% of the retired
equestrian horse population surveyed were 15 years or older, with a range of
ages from 15 to 44 years. However, some retired horses had reduced levels of
basic husbandry compared with non-retired horses. Rural areas had a lower
level of preventative health care compared to semi-rural and urban areas. Up
to 61% of the aged horses surveyed in the study had not been visited by a
veterinarian for the previous 12 months.

Facts and Stats

Poor teeth, an uneven bite or a stepped mouth, masticating on tooth roots
(nubs) or loss of teeth, are the most common problems which affect
feeding efficiency and well-being in an aged horse. Surveys have indicated
that up to 33% of aged horses decline in health and condition due to
dental problems. They often die prematurely because of poor teeth and
secondary septicaemia from infected teeth and gums.
In advanced old age, chronic low grade diarrhoea due to changes in the
absorptive capacity of the gut lining, can cause loss of condition and illthrift in 50% of aged horses. These conditions lead to eventual weakness
and weight loss, especially during cold winter conditions when grazing at
pasture.
Arthritis, resulting in poor mobility and reduced ability to graze, also
contributes to the loss of body weight and eventual ill-thrift condition in
around 10% of aged or geriatric horses retired from a horse sport career in
their early teens.

The increase in hobby farms in semi-urban areas around cities and towns has
resulted in horses and ponies being kept and maintained as family pets, with
many animals living to their mid 30s or longer. The emotional attachment to
horses and high disposable incomes, increase the chances that many horse
owners will look after horses to a greater age and be willing to spend money
for veterinary services and health care. Where a horse has been a champion on
the race track, in the show ring, a retired childs pony languishing in the back
paddock or has produced high quality offspring, then it is more likely to be
looked after at a higher standard compared with the average working horse or
one with a legacy of physical injuries from an earlier mediocre sporting career.

Cushings Disease also now appears to be a more common cause of weight

loss and premature death in aging horses. In one survey in Queensland 30
years ago, it found a 2% incidence of Cushings Disease (PPID) in elderly
horses over 20 years of age. In a more recent survey published in 2014
by Dr Cathy McGowan of the University of Queensland, Equine Metabolic
Syndrome (EMS) and middle-aged Cushings Disease accounted for early
debilitation and chronic laminitis in 16% of aging horses.
As a horse ages, its digestive efficiency in the small intestine and hind gut
decreases and the animal will generally require more energy for everyday
activities, such as walking, grazing and maintaining itself. The energy
density and protein quality of the ration should be increased to maintain
vitality, ability to exercise and a reasonable body condition score of
between 4-5, especially during cold weather or over winter. Often pasture
is not adequate to maintain condition and a hard feed at least once daily
may need to be provided. An aged horse in retirement at pasture may fall
away in condition during winter or summer when pasture is very succulent
or sparse, despite adequate shelter and supplementary hay. Unfortunately,
once an aged horse loses condition, it is often difficult for it to regain
the weight, even on a higher energy ration. Drought and cold weather
are the two most stressful conditions which result in weight loss, rapid
debilitation and death of aged horses.

Can an Aged Horse Contribute to Equine Society?

Older horses can be useful members of a horse group on a property, providing
a mature, steadying influence on foals and younger horses in the same grazing
area. Many horses age gracefully and if they are generally fed well, their teeth
are maintained and they are wormed regularly, as is the practice for younger
horses in work, then they have a good chance of living to over 30 years of
age. One good example of the contribution of middle aged and elderly horses
to society is their use as Riding for the Disabled mounts to provide disabled
children and adults with the challenge, pleasure and excitement of riding or
driving a safe and sensible older horse or pony. The elderly companion mare or
gelding in a weanling and yearling group on a stud is another prime example of
the contribution provided by older horses as they live out their lives. Although
nutritional needs change with age, aging is not a disease as such. In many
cases, elderly horses can be provided with the same feed as young growing
horses when they act in a caretaking role. As an example, most of the diets fed
to growing and working horses contain higher levels of energy, calcium and
protein, the three important nutrients of benefit in higher amounts, to a horse
over 16 years of age. However, where aging is associated with teeth problems,
arthritis, organ disease or cancer, or chronic diarrhoea, then specialised diets
may be necessary to ensure that the elderly horse maintains adequate body
weight and mobility to graze and fend for itself.

Symptoms of Old Age in Horses

Although, 20 years of age is often used to define the threshold for entering old
age in horses, it can vary between individual horses and even breeds of horses.
Surveys suggest that Thoroughbreds usually age more rapidly over 20 years of
age as they suffer weight loss of old age before similar aged ponies, miniatures
and genetically good doers of any breed. Ponies are often cited to live to a
greater age as compared with larger horse breeds, but as in humans and other
animals, genetics and organ disease can influence the lifespan of individual
horses. Unfortunately, grey horses have a risk of developing melanomas,
especially Arabians, which can end their lifespan prematurely.

Improved health awareness by horse owners has helped to reduce

many of the diseases, especially poor teeth and heavy worm burdens,
concurrent with aging in elderly horses.
Feeding and Comfort for Elderly Horses

The symptoms associated with changes in the physical appearance or condition

is a better guideline to signify the threshold of old age in an individual horse.

Handy Hint 3

The physical signs of old age include a low condition score and general
Aged horses in poor condition are highly susceptible
ill-thrift which cannot be improved by specialised nutrition;
to cold stress and therefore a shelter or light quilted rug should be provided
chronic diarrhoea and dehydration, chronic weight loss
at night during cold or wet conditions, especially in aged horses with a lower than
moderate body condition score. Avoid heavy rugging as the weight of double or triple
over a 6-12 month period although they appear healthy
rugs may be too much for an old, weak horse to bear or scramble to its feet after lying down
and maintain their appetite if their teeth are in good
in the stable overnight. Studies have shown faecal energy losses (loss of digestible heat energy
condition; diminished muscle tone and mass over
in manure) increase as a horse ages over 20 years of age as a result of reduced crude fibre
the topline with a more prominent back bone and
digestibility in the hind gut. However, the apparent reduction in fibre digestibility may be influenced by
a sway backed silhouette; reduced fat deposits
the reduced efficiency of mastication in an aging horse as teeth condition deteriorates. This could be
above the eyes (except in aged horses with PPID
a case for substituting part of traditional fibre sources in chaff and hay with more readily fermentable
Cushings Disease); greying of the muzzle and
fibre sources such as sugar beet fibre, soyabean hulls and lupin hulls, which commence fermentation
coat; sunken-in perianal area; reduced mobility and
in the lower small intestine region and are generally more easily masticated to prepare the fibre for
microbial attack in the large intestine or hind gut. Some of the prepared feeds for senior horses
loss of agility and increasing incidence of dental
have higher protein and more digestible fibre sources suited to aged horses. If you would
disease and its direct effect on digestive efficiency.
like to check the diet you are feeding to your aged horse, or would like a balanced diet
Some aged horses suffer loss of vision and others become
formulated, please email Gary at rations@kohnkesown.com to obtain a free on-line
deaf, which affects their grazing ability and quality of life.
live ration analysis sheet which you can complete for an unbiased analysis and
Others develop arthritis which hampers mobility to graze and
recommendations by Sian and Ella, our horse nutrition advisors.

results in constant aches and discomfort as they age.

Talking Horses
Feeding the Senior Horse
Although, the maintenance energy needs reduce as an animal ages, possibly
due to decline in free-fat mass and decreased exercise activity, the reduction in
maintenance energy need has not been quantified in elderly horses.

Equestrian Issue 34 2014

Handy Hint 4

Managing Loose Droppings in an

Aged Horse

It can be difficult to diagnose the underlying cause of low

grade chronic diarrhoea in an elderly horse. The symptoms
often develop gradually with poorly formed droppings and cow pat like
As would be expected, maintenance energy needs increase during cold
droppings, usually without an elevated temperature or signs of discomfort or
weather conditions. Aged horses are less cold and heat tolerant in
colic. Hind gut re-absorption of water reduces as a horse ages and also lower
protein uptake from the small intestine moves into the large bowel, holds more water
contrast to young horses, possibly because of reduced free-fat mass
and is passed in the softer droppings. The lining of the bowels also deteriorates, reducing
contributing to skin insulation. Horses begin to lose increasing
nutrient uptake and leading to softer less well digested droppings. This type of chronic,
amounts of heat from their skin surface (about 3.5 square
low grade diarrhoea invariably leads to weight loss and ill-thrift, chronic dehydration
metres in a 500kg horse) as the ambient temperature falls below
and lack of energy to exercise and graze. Often, owners need to clean a scour-soaked tail
8C, and even more if the wind chill factor increases at near
of the old horse daily to make it more comfortable. In most cases, bacterial culture of the faeces
freezing overnight temperatures under paddock conditions.
is unrewarding in an attempt to diagnose the underlying cause. Supplementation with multi-strain
During cold weather, increases in energy intake must be
probiotics is often of very little or no benefit and a costly exercise for the desperate horse owner.
made early to maintain comfort in aged horses with lower fat
Some elderly horses pass softer green droppings, followed by a dribble of fluid from the anus
which runs down the inside of the buttocks. Elderly horses may develop loose droppings when
reserves, compared with young or mature middle aged horses.
grazing on lush green grass or when consuming more than 2-3kg of lucerne hay. Lucerne hay
It is also important to provide a hard feed morning and
has a fibrous structure which doesnt hold as much fluid, compared to grass or cereal hay
evening under cold conditions to aged horses as it will
fibre. The excess water floods the rectum and dribbles out after defecation. Reducing the
ensure a more targeted energy intake to help keep them
amount of lucerne hay to less than half the current amount and replacing it with more
warm in the early morning and in preparation for overnight
cereal or grass hay and chaff may help avoid the problem in most cases. If the problem
cold conditions. They are best stabled and rugged at night to
persists, then a daily supplement of Kohnkes Own Formex, containing nutrient
help reduce heat loss.
compounds which have a role in providing a natural phospholipid coating to the
GI tract, as well as glutamine and other amino acids for gut health, glucose
In aged horses with Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) and Equine
for energy and zinc and Vitamin A for lining epithelial cell health. In most
Cushings Disease (PPID, especially animals with concurrent Insulin Resistance,
cases, twice daily supplementation for 7-10 days helps normalise
feeding a diet to provide more calories from digestible fibre, protein and fat
gut function and the droppings return to normal form.
sources, instead of energy from grain starches with a higher soluble sugar and
An ongoing maintenance supplement may be
non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) content, is of nutritional benefit to lower
required as necessary.

Handy Hint 5

blood sugar spikes and insulin responses associated with Insulin Resistance.

For more information on Cushings Disease and EMS, please email Gary
at newsletters@kohnkesown.com and request Fact Sheets C3 and C17.

Offsetting Low Protein intake from Pastures or Hay

The majority of commercial feeds formulated for aged and senior horses
contain from 13-16% crude protein, when fed with chaff and good quality hay.
Feeding Aged Horses to Increase Energy Intake
An increased intake of protein may be necessary in an aged horse which has a
For convenience and because of the large selection of
poor appetite, is recovering from high internal parasite burdens, has anaemia, severe
commercial feeds formulated for aged horses, many owners
wounds or a protein-losing bowel condition (protein losing enteropathy), often associated
with chronic diarrhoea, In a paddock grazing situation, where C3 winter grasses or C4 tropical
feed the recommended amounts of senior horse feeds with
grasses dominate the pasture with minimum clover or legume content, it may be an advantage
good quality hay to supplement pasture grazing. If an aged
to feed a high protein hard feed based on a commercial extruded, micronised or pelleted feed
horse is exposed to very cold conditions, additional energy
for elderly horses with poor teeth. A simple hard feed of chaff, beet fibre and steam-rolled barley,
can be provided to boost the aged horse ready-mixed
fed twice daily containing a higher level of crude protein, such as 75 grams per 100kg bwt
feed by adding 150-250g per 100kg body weight of steam
daily of crushed or extruded lupins or cold-pressed canola meal cake, (both around 33%
rolled barley, or alternatively boiled barley (dry weight before
crude protein, 7% fat) or 50g per 100kg bwt of extruded full fat soyabean meal (38% crude
boiling) and 30mL of polyunsaturated oil per 100kg bodyweight.
protein,18% fat) for extra energy daily. Copra meal (22% crude protein 5-7% fat) is low
Additional fat must be introduced in a step-wise manner over 10lysine and up to 100g per 100kg bwt may need to be fed which could result in low
grade scouring in some aged horses. Lucerne hay (average 15-17% crude
14 days to allow lipase enzyme adaption to increased fat for efficient
protein) is also a cheap source of protein for healthy aged horses with
digestion and utilisation in the small intestine. Lucerne hay (except for aged
good teeth, with good quality chaff provided to aged horses
horses with renal disease) which is dampened (preferably soaked, in double
with poor teeth.
its volume of warm water for 30 minutes for EMS affected horses to reduce

Handy Hint 6

soluble sugar content) will contribute cost effective sources of additional

energy, good quality protein and fibre for hind gut heat-producing fermentation
processes to help maintain gut fill and comfort under cold conditions.

Maintaining Adequate Bone Mineral and

Vitamin Intake in Aged Horses

The majority of commercial feeds formulated for aged or senior horses

contain additional calcium and phosphorus relative to feeds formulated for
mature middle aged horses. Commercial pellets, extruded and micronised feeds
The exact effect of aging on protein requirement is unknown.
formulated for broodmares and foals, are also suitable for aged horses as these feeds
However, a 6% lower protein digestibility has been reported
contain a higher content of protein, calcium, phosphorus and trace-minerals. In most
in horses over 20 years of age, compared with young horses
cases, they are more economical to feed to aged horses, as specific feeds formulated
less than 3 years of age. It is suggested that the quality of
for aged horses often attract a premium price because of the lower volumes produced.
Aged horses grazing tropical pastures have an increased risk of reduced calcium uptake as
protein with higher intakes of lysine and threonine may
a result of high levels of oxalate chemical in these grasses. Oxalate chemicals contained in
be worthwhile in elderly horses, as it is in young growing
the leaves of rapidly growing tropical grasses and hay, such as Setaria, Buffel, Pangola, Para
horses. Considering the higher protein metabolic rates
Grass, Guinea Grass, Kikuyu, Signal Grass and Green Panic, when consumed by horses, bind
or catabolic effects of aging, an increase in the protein
to calcium liberated from feeds or supplements during digestion in the small intestine of horses.
content is recommended, especially in aged horses with
In many areas, Kikuyu grass which is well adapted to warmer climates, is becoming dominant in
lower body condition scores, to help reduce the topline
horse pastures due to its hardiness under drought conditions. The oxalates form a calcium-oxalate
muscle decrease common with aging. The majority of
complex which is not digested in the small intestine by enzymes. The complex then carries the
commercial pelleted and processed feeds marketed for
calcium into the large intestine where it is liberated during microbial digestion. Unfortunately, 90%
of calcium is absorbed from the small intestine of the horse. The calcium-oxalate complex is not
aged horses have a 4-5% increase in crude protein content,
digested in the small intestine so that inadequate calcium is absorbed to maintain blood levels
compared to feeds aimed at middle aged or working horses.
for muscle and tissue function. A daily supplement of Kohnkes Own Cal-XTRA, is specially
If an aged horses teeth are in a good condition to macerate
formulated to offset the binding effects of oxalate to maintain normal calcium uptake for
long stemmed hay or chaff, prime, higher protein leafy lucerne
bone and body maintenance in all horses, especially aged horses, grazing C4 and tropical
hay or chaff would be a suitable fibre base. It would also assist
grasses. It is much more efficient in providing calcium and other minerals compared with
hind gut heat production to help provide warmth under cold
hit or miss lick blocks in grazing horses. If you would like specific information, please
conditions, as excess protein overloaded into the hindgut, produces
email Gary at newsletters@kohnkesown.com and request Fact Sheet number N5.

Protein Requirement Related to Age

6 times more fermentation heat, compared with carbohydrates or fats.

Talking Horses

Equestrian Issue 34 2014

Calcium and Phosphorus Digestibility Relative to Aging

The effects of aging on macro-mineral (calcium, phosphorus and magnesium)
digestibility and bioavailability, indicate that older horses over 20 years of age
have reduced phosphorus digestibility, compared with younger horses below 3
years of age. Although calcium digestibility has not been shown to be affected
by aging, the loss of calcium from the bone mass may pose a problem in
aged horses which are less mobile and during the winter months in southern
Australia where skin synthesis of Vitamin D is reduced in horses grazing at
pasture to ensure optimum calcium and phosphorus absorption and blood
mineral levels.
Other Nutrients
Aged horses often have reduced skin immunity and are prone to rain scald
and other fungal skin infections, especially under wet conditions. Aged horses
may suffer from reduced immune function due to loss of condition, stress
of weather and inability to graze effectively due to arthritic pain or poor
teeth condition. A full range trace-mineral and vitamin supplement, such as
Kohnkes Own Cell-Provide, is especially formulated for aged horses to
provide all essential trace-minerals and vitamins to help maintain vitality, the
immune and metabolic function, as well as skin and coat condition.
Dental Abnormalities

Feeding Aged Horses

with Poor Teeth
Besides dental attention by a specialist equine
dental veterinarian to improve the efficiency of
mastication, providing elderly horses with a base diet of
extruded, micronised or pelleted commercial feed formulated for
aged horses, supplemented chaff and beet fibre, soyabean or lupin
hulls, will help provide a balanced and easily masticated (chewed)
diet. Pelleted feeds pressed from ground particles and fines require less
forceful grinding, will also help to reduce the effects of dental changes
associated with aging. As aged horses require an increase in the calcium
and protein content of their diets to offset the reduced uptake during digestion,
feeding good quality prime lucerne chaff or soaked lucerne hay as roughage
provides these required nutrients in greater amounts as compared with cereal
chaff and hay.
The feeding rate for horses and ponies is dependent on the individual
animals condition score, its body weight, appetite and ability to
masticate effectively. However, a good start for an easily masticated
hard feed is a blend of 2.0kg per 100kg body weight
per day in 2-3 divided feeds, consisting of 50%
by volume of dampened pellets or commercial
senior feed, 20% by volume of soaked beet
pulp, soyabean or lupin hulls and 30% by
volume of prime fine chop lucerne
chaff.

Handy Hint 7

Progressive deterioration of the teeth and related decrease in efficiency of

mastication is common in older horses. Age-related teeth wear is a naturally
occurring condition in horses, with a reduction in preparation of small food
particle size required for enzymatic digestive processes in the small intestine
and microbial fermentation attack in the hind gut. Horses only have one
opportunity to grind their food during mastication and the ingestion of large
particles above 2mm diameter for grain and poorly macerated roughage, leads
to a significant reduction in digestive efficiency and nutrient availability. Painful
gum and periodontal disease which can reduce the pressure and duration
of mastication, sharp edged molar teeth and uneven tooth wear and poor
apposition of molars, can all significantly impair the value obtained from the
food ingested and can result in chronic weight loss and ill-thrift.

Skin Conditions
Aged horses often have reduced skin immunity and are prone to infection with
bacterial and fungal organisms which cause mud fever, rain scald, greasy
heel and leg itch under wet paddock conditions.
Providing a regular daily supplement, such as Kohnkes Own Cell-Vital
or Cell-Provide, containing zinc, copper, organic selenium, Vitamin A
and Vitamin E, which have a role in maintaining normal skin immunity, is
recommended in aged horses.
Specific immune active supplements, such as Kohnkes Own Activ-8,
given as a course of 2 measures daily for 10 days, then one measure per day
for a further 3 weeks for a 500kg elderly horse, is widely used to help maintain
immune function following vaccinations and help normalise immune reaction
to common microbial skin diseases.

It is beyond the scope of these notes to describe the variety of teeth

abnormalities and remedial management, but it is suffice to emphasise that
routine 6 monthly dental assessment and care is advocated in aged horses
over 20 years of age, well before signs of dental problems such as quidding,
slobbering and food impaction develop due to dental changes and disease.
Over recent years, there has been anecdotal evidence to suggest that the
incidence of premature dental decay with tooth enamel erosion and gum
margin periodontal disease is increasing. These changes have been linked to
the increased popularity of molasses sweetened sweet feeds in equestrian and
show horses when in training.

In the next issue, I will review common medical problems

and their management in elderly horses, including an
update of Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS), insulin
resistance and Cushings Disease in aging horses with
recurring laminitis, managing an elderly horse with liver
disease, failing kidneys and chronic arthritic pain and
lameness. The issue will also contain a review on parasite
control in aged horses.

Dental abnormalities often result in an increase in the retention time of the

food bolus in the mouth, but efficiency of grinding of the food is reduced and
salivation (slobbering) is more profuse, without adequately preparing the food
mass for digestive attack. Consult your vet for more advice.

Available in 1.4kg, 3.5kg

and 10kg packs

Kohnkes Own Cell-Provide to match the needs of aged horses, ponies and
miniatures - the only supplement specifically formulated with extra calcium, traceminerals and essential vitamins for aging horses and ponies. Suitable for topping-up
ready mixed feeds and home-mixed feeds with additional important nutrients to maintain
health, bone strength, well-being and immune function as a horse ages.
Disclaimer: The information and recommendations in this newsletter have been presented as a guideline based on the veterinary experience and knowledge of the
author, Dr John Kohnke BVSc RDA. Whilst all care, diligence and years of practical experience have been combined to produce this information, the author/editor,
Dr John Kohnke, accepts no responsibility or liability for unforeseen consequences resulting from the hints and advice given in this newsletter.
The information in this newsletter, or part thereof is copyright. We encourage its use in newsletters and other horse/pony club or association bulletins, provided that
the source of the newsletter is acknowledged as courtesy of the author, Dr. John Kohnke BVSc RDA. The information cannot be used for magazine publication unless
permission is sought from the author by email info@kohnkesown.com prior to publication.
Copyright 2014