Dear Shaboom and Clyde,

My horse is 15 years old and he drools a lot when he eats. What causes that?

                                                                        - Mary, Caldwell, ID

Dear Mary,

Your horse may have problems with his teeth. As a horse ages his teeth wear unevenly, making it uncomfortable to chew properly. This could be why your horse is drooling when he eats. You should have him examined by your vet or equine dentist to see if he needs his teeth floated. This is where the teeth are evened out and smoothed to eliminate sharp edges. Occasionally a bad tooth will be pulled. Just like you, your horse needs to go to the dentist too. A yearly checkup is recommended.

                                                Signed Shaboom & Clyde

Winter Care for Your Senior Horse

by Michelle Dempsey

If you have an older horse, here are some suggestions to make him comfortable during the winter months. As your horse ages, his dietary needs change. A few adjustments to his feeding and housing requirements can make his winter much more enjoyable.

Feeding

• Good quality, high fiber hay is important. The fiber in the hay helps to produce gut heat in the horse. You may need to increase the amount hay fed to fuel his inner furnace, particularly during the cold winter months.

• A senior formulated grain supplement will help ensure that he is in the best possible condition for the winter.

NOTE: Always check with a veterinarian or equine nutritionist when planning your horse’s feeding regimen so you can get the best program for your horse.

Water

• Water should always be available “free choice” and should be clean and free of debris.

• In winter months ice should be removed when formed or a tank heater installed. Horses tend to drink more if the water is not ice cold. If the ice is not removed regularly it will prevent the horse from getting adequate water, which may lead to dehydration.

Housing

• Ideally, a barn stall is best for winter nights. However, turn out during the day is just as important during the winter as it is any other time of the year.

• If a stall is not available, a three sided shed can help protect your horse from the harsh winter elements.

• Keep the pen as dry and clean as possible. A wet and muddy horse will get chilled faster and is more prone to illness.

To blanket or not to blanket?

• Most times this is a personal choice for the horse owner. Horses generally provide an adequate natural blanket in their winter hair growth. If you choose not to blanket, make sure that the horse’s winter coat is not constantly saturated. This will cause the horse to get chilled.

• If you prefer to blanket, make sure that you continue to blanket your horse for the entire winter season. Taking his blanket away mid-winter may cause health problems. Also be sure the blanket is dry; a wet blanket is worse than no blanket at all.

Veterinary Care

• Going into winter it’s always a good idea to have your horse examined by a vet to make sure his teeth and overall health are in good condition for the coming season.

These tips are good for any of your equine friends, but especially important for the older horse.