Welfare of Aged Horses.
Authors: McGowan Catherine
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Welfare of Aged Horses McGowan's 2011 review of aged horse welfare reveals a significant gap between owners' stated concerns for their older animals and the preventive healthcare and management practices they actually deliver, with particular decline noted in retired horses. Survey data demonstrates that whilst owners prioritise health and quality-of-life considerations, veterinary involvement in preventive care falls short of what aged horses require, and management standards deteriorate as horses advance in age. The veterinary surgeon emerges as pivotal in this context—not merely in treating disease and managing disorders, but critically in guiding end-of-life decisions when euthanasia becomes appropriate. These findings underscore that ageing horses warrant equivalent professional attention and care standards to younger, commercially valuable animals, challenging a perception within the equine sector that aged or retired horses merit less rigorous health management. For farriers, physiotherapists and nutritionists working with aged populations, the implication is clear: proactive collaboration with veterinary colleagues and owner education around preventive strategies are essential to bridge the gap between intention and action in geriatric equine care.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Veterinarians should actively counsel aged horse owners on appropriate preventive healthcare protocols, as surveys indicate many owners do not implement sufficient preventive care despite good intentions
- •Establish structured geriatric care protocols for retired and aged horses, recognizing that declining management is common in this population and requires proactive intervention
- •Frame aged horse care as having equal professional importance as younger horse care; advocate for the same standard of veterinary attention regardless of the animal's economic value
Key Findings
- •Owners of aged horses express concern about health and welfare but surveys show declining management and insufficient preventive healthcare in practice as horses age
- •Retired and aged horses receive particularly limited management compared to younger horses
- •Veterinary surgeons play an essential role in preventive healthcare, disease management, and euthanasia decision-making for aged horses
- •The value and care requirements of aged horses are often underestimated relative to younger horses with greater monetary value