Chronic pain and lameness resulting from osteoarthritis (OA) and other musculoskeletal conditions are the most common causes of poor quality of life in senior horses.  In the month of September, Equine Guelph promotes Senior Horse Education, increasing awareness of ways caregivers can be the best advocates for the health and welfare of their senior equines. …

Originally posted Aug, 12, 2024 by Open Learning and Educational Support, University of Guelph Dana Willett’s lifelong passion for horses transformed over many years, evolving into a dream both simple and profound. At an early age, Dana’s love for horses began with riding. She quickly became a “barn rat” as she put it, doing every…

Equine Guelph has announced that the month of September will be Senior Horse Education Month. As our landscape starts to turn golden with the approach of fall, and a nip of nostalgia in the air, we pause to think about our equid friends in their golden years. The next four weeks will be dedicated to…

Get Savvy for your Senior Horse If you fail to plan, you can plan to fail the adage says.  It is certainly true when it comes to keeping your horse comfortable in its golden years.  Picking up on subtle cues and knowing when to make management changes can make all the difference in the world…

Whether you are brushing up on Emergency Preparedness with a course in equine first aid or other stable management priorities like learning what’s in your forage; TheHorsePortal.ca has been helping equestrians advance their knowledge with one and two-week online courses that are easy to fit into busy schedules. Thirteen short courses on hot topics give…

Check-ups and check-ins still required for equine health and welfare Trusty steed Sparky is ready to “retire”, but what exactly does that mean?  Certainly, there are management changes when it comes to the senior horse.  While there may be savings in some areas, there are still serious commitments of both time and finances to make…

As we age, jumping out of bed ready and raring to go may cease to be the norm.  It is often replaced by a few groans, moans, creaks, cracks and slow maneuvers before we kick into gear!  The same may be true for your senior horse; challenges with stiff joints, laminitis and hoof issues are all more…

Early diagnosis of Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) is an important area of study especially considering one of the first signs can be laminitis, a serious and sometimes life-ending condition. Catching EMS in its initial stages can facilitate early intervention with an appropriate exercise and diet plan to reduce the chances of laminitis developing. In a…