A cross-sectional study of geriatric horses in the United Kingdom. Part 1: Demographics and management practices.
Authors: Ireland J L, Clegg P D, McGowan C M, McKane S A, Pinchbeck G L
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary Geriatric horses (aged 15 years and over) now comprise approximately 29% of the UK equine population, yet little systematic data exists on how these older animals are managed in practice. Ireland and colleagues surveyed a randomly selected sample of veterinary-registered owners with geriatric horses using a postal questionnaire (80.2% response rate), establishing baseline demographic characteristics and management practices for this expanding cohort. While most aspects of horse care remained consistent with general equine husbandry standards, the researchers identified significant shifts in exercise regimens and feeding protocols as horses advanced in age—findings that reflect the physiological changes practitioners and owners encounter clinically. Understanding these patterns provides a foundation for developing evidence-based owner education programmes and targeted preventative strategies that can meaningfully improve health outcomes and welfare in older horses. For farriers, nutritionists, and veterinarians, this work underscores the importance of age-appropriate management protocols and highlights an emerging need for specialised guidance on geriatric care as this population continues to grow.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Nearly one-third of the UK equine population is now geriatric (≥15 years), making it essential to develop age-appropriate management strategies in practice
- •Exercise and feeding protocols should be adjusted progressively as horses age, rather than applying standard management practices across all age groups
- •Use this epidemiological data to develop targeted owner education programmes focused on geriatric health management and disease prevention
Key Findings
- •Horses aged ≥15 years represented 29% of the equine population in the UK study area
- •Questionnaire response rate was 80.2% from randomly selected veterinary registered owners
- •Management practices were similar to the general equine population but exercise and feeding practices changed significantly with increasing age
- •Study provided demographic characteristics and management data for geriatric horses and ponies in the UK