Senior Horse Health
In-depth guides to the health conditions of aging horses: PPID, EMS, laminitis, colic, ulcers, asthma, weight loss, and recognizing pain, with vet-first care advice.
Common Health Problems in Senior Horses
An overview of the conditions most likely to affect older horses, from PPID and EMS to arthritis, dental disease, colic, laminitis, and weight loss.
Read guide →PPID (Cushing's) in Senior Horses
The most common hormonal disease of older horses. Learn the signs, ACTH testing, pergolide treatment, laminitis risk, and daily management of a Cushing's horse.
Read guide →Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) in Horses
Insulin dysregulation, cresty necks, and regional fat that drive laminitis. Understand testing, a low-sugar diet, weight management, and exercise.
Read guide →Laminitis in Senior Horses
An emergency hoof disease often caused by PPID and EMS. Learn the warning signs, what to do right now, hoof support, recovery, and prevention.
Read guide →Colic in Senior Horses
Recognize the types and signs of colic in older horses, know when to call the vet, understand the dental connection, and follow a practical prevention plan.
Read guide →Gastric Ulcers in Horses (EGUS)
Equine gastric ulcer syndrome causes picky appetite and weight loss. Learn the signs, gastroscopy, omeprazole, forage-first feeding, and gut support.
Read guide →Equine Asthma and Heaves in Senior Horses
Chronic airway disease driven by dust and mold. Understand the signs, soaking and steaming hay, medication, and a low-dust management plan.
Read guide →Weight Loss in Senior Horses
Why older horses lose weight, from dental disease and PPID to parasites, ulcers, and pain. A practical workup and feeding plan to restore condition.
Read guide →Signs a Senior Horse Is in Pain
Horses hide pain. Learn the equine pain face, subtle behavior and posture changes, common sources of discomfort, and when pain is an emergency.
Read guide →Choke in Senior Horses
Esophageal choke is common in older horses with poor teeth. Learn the signs, what to do right now, aspiration risk, and prevention with soaked feeds.
Read guide →Insulin Resistance in Horses
Insulin dysregulation is the engine behind EMS and endocrine laminitis. Understand testing, a low-NSC diet, exercise, and weight management.
Read guide →Kidney Disease in Horses
Chronic renal disease in older horses is rare but serious. Learn the signs, bloodwork and urinalysis, diet changes, and why to avoid certain NSAIDs.
Read guide →Liver Disease in Senior Horses
Hepatic disease can cause weight loss, jaundice, and behavior change. Understand plant toxins, liver enzyme testing, diet, and supportive care.
Read guide →Heart Conditions in Senior Horses
Murmurs, valve leaks, and atrial fibrillation in older horses. Learn the signs, auscultation and echo testing, workload limits, and monitoring.
Read guide →Melanoma in Grey Horses
Aging grey horses commonly develop melanomas. Learn where they form, how to monitor them, treatment options, and fly and wound care for masses.
Read guide →Equine Recurrent Uveitis (Moon Blindness)
ERU is a leading cause of blindness in horses. Recognize the painful flare signs, why it is an emergency, treatment, and UV and fly protection.
Read guide →Cataracts and Vision Loss in Horses
Age and uveitis can cloud an older horse's vision. Learn the signs, diagnosis, how horses adapt to blindness, and safe-environment management.
Read guide →Diarrhea in Senior Horses
From free fecal water to colitis, learn the causes of loose manure in older horses, when it is an emergency, and how to support a healthy hindgut.
Read guide →Stringhalt and Shivers in Horses
Two neuromuscular gait disorders of horses explained. Tell them apart, understand the causes, and learn vitamin E, turnout, and farrier management.
Read guide →Lethargy in Senior Horses
Dullness is a symptom, not a diagnosis. Work through the causes from PPID to pain and infection, check vital signs, and know when to call the vet.
Read guide →Senior Horse Not Eating
When an older horse goes off feed, dental disease, choke, ulcers, or pain may be to blame. A step-by-step checklist and when refusal is an emergency.
Read guide →Pain Management for Senior Horses
A multimodal plan for chronic pain in older horses: NSAIDs, joint supplements, farrier care, exercise, and weight control under veterinary guidance.
Read guide →When to Call the Vet for a Senior Horse
A clear decision guide for older-horse emergencies. Learn the red flags, how to take TPR vital signs, what to have ready, and first-aid kit basics.
Read guide →Dehydration in Senior Horses
Older horses drink less and risk impaction colic. Learn the skin tent and gum checks, the colic link, electrolytes, and winter and summer water tips.
Read guide →Why Is My Senior Horse Losing Weight?
A worried owner's guide to weight loss in older horses: dental disease, PPID, parasites, ulcers, and pain, plus the vet workup and a safe plan to rebuild condition.
Read guide →Why Won't My Old Horse Shed His Coat?
A senior horse that won't shed a long winter coat is showing the classic red flag for PPID (Cushing's disease). Learn the signs, ACTH testing, pergolide, and management.
Read guide →Why Is My Senior Horse Lying Down More?
An older horse lying down more often is usually easing sore feet or stiff joints, but colic and weakness matter too. Learn the causes, red flags, and comfort tips.
Read guide →Why Is My Old Horse Coughing?
An older horse's cough is most often equine asthma (heaves) from hay and barn dust. Learn the causes, dust control, when it signals infection, and vet treatment.
Read guide →Why Won't My Senior Horse Eat?
When an older horse goes off feed, dental pain, choke, ulcers, and illness are common causes. A checklist, when refusal is an emergency, and how to tempt appetite.
Read guide →Why Is My Senior Horse Drinking So Much Water?
Excessive thirst in an older horse often signals PPID (Cushing's) or kidney disease. Learn normal water intake, the red flags, why never to restrict water, and vet tests.
Read guide →Why Is My Old Horse Stumbling?
Stumbling in a senior horse points to the feet, joints, or nervous system. Learn the causes from long toes and arthritis to vitamin E deficiency, plus when to stop riding.
Read guide →Why Does My Senior Horse Have a Dull Coat?
A dull, dry coat in an older horse often signals PPID, poor nutrition, parasites, or illness. Learn the causes, the right feeds and omega-3s, grooming, and when to call the vet.
Read guide →Why Is My Old Gelding's Sheath Swollen?
A swollen sheath in an older gelding is often edema, a dirty sheath or bean, flies, or infection. Learn the causes, the red flags, cleaning frequency, and when to call the vet.
Read guide →Why Is My Senior Horse a Picky Eater?
A fussy older horse usually has a reason: dental discomfort, ulcers, or palatability. Learn the causes, how to tempt appetite, and when picky eating needs a vet and dental exam.
Read guide →Senior Cat Wellness & Care Planner
10 printable worksheets to track your aging cat's health, meds, vet visits, mobility, nutrition, and quality of life.
Get the Planner for $39