Скачать или смотреть Senior Feeds for Horses

Senior feeds are pelleted or extruded concentrates designed to complement forage rather than replace it. They typically feature easily digestible fiber sources, moderate starch levels, and added fat for safe calorie density.

Because older horses often have reduced efficiency in digesting protein, these feeds include higher-quality protein sources rich in lysine, methionine, and threonine, which are critical for maintaining muscle mass and topline as metabolism shifts with age. Fortification with vitamins and minerals helps compensate for the natural decline in absorption that can occur in the aging digestive tract.

A key distinction of senior feeds is that they are formulated to support immune health, joint function, and metabolic balance. Many contain added antioxidants such as vitamin E, vitamin C, and selenium to combat oxidative stress, as well as omega-3 fatty acids from flax or other sources to help control inflammation.

They are also often fortified with yeast cultures or prebiotic ingredients that stabilize hindgut fermentation, supporting better fiber utilization from hay. These feeds are not designed to replace long-stem forage but to ensure older horses who can still chew hay receive concentrated nutrition in a form that is palatable, digestible, and tailored to the challenges of aging.

Scholarly Sources for Further Reading

National Research Council. (2007). Nutrient Requirements of Horses (6th ed.). Washington, DC: National Academies Press.

Ralston, S. L. (1996). Nutritional management of the geriatric horse. Equine Veterinary Education, 8(3), 123–126.

Staniar, W. B., Lawrence, L. M., & Kronfeld, D. S. (2001). Digestive and metabolic changes in the older horse. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 21(12), 609–613.

Harris, P. A., & Ellis, A. D. (2010). Feeding the older horse. Proceedings of the 16th European Equine Nutrition and Health Congress, 65–72.