Soundness issues are recognized as the number one reason why working horses retire, downgrade their work level or, sadly, have to be euthanized. Therefore, if we want our horses to remain sound and stay active well into their teens and beyond, then joint care will be high on our list of priorities.
But how old is an old joint? We’re often asked at what age should owners be thinking about senior joint care in their horses and ponies, but it’s a difficult question to answer. Ageing is complex and multi-modal, and certainly will affect different animals in very different ways. Work load, breed, body condition and a history of previous joint conditions can all impact on your horse’s soundness and joint care.
For those performance horses and elite equine athletes, we would advise feeding for senior joints throughout their ‘senior career’, which may be as early as eight years onwards. Equally, for those with a history of injury or joint stress, it is best to assume that your horse’s joints have aged earlier due to that history, and supplement accordingly. Finally, for those in their mid to late teens and twenties, they are at an age where the challenges of veteran horses are recognized, and it is appropriate to consider upgrading their daily joint care to ‘senior management.’
Therefore whether your horse is a ten year old Grade A showjumper, or a 19 years old hacking companion, Five Star Superflex Senior is recommended as our best choice for them. Superflex Senior is a unique formulation providing a high specification of the key joint support nutrients, working in synergy with Omega 3 fatty acids and naturally sourced antioxidants to support healthy, flexible joints in hard working horses and ponies still leading active lives.
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