Senior Horse Joint Health: Keeping Older Partners Comfortable
Older horses earn their place as steady partners, but age often brings stiffness and joint stress. Supporting mobility isn’t about turning back the clock—it’s about giving them the comfort to keep enjoying their work, turnout, and companionship.
1) Keep Them Moving
Motion is medicine. Daily turnout and light exercise prevent stiffness and improve circulation. Even hand-walking helps senior joints stay fluid.
2) Warm Up & Cool Down Longer
Aging muscles and joints take more time to adjust. Add 10–15 minutes of easy walk before work, and finish with long stretches of relaxed movement to reduce post-ride soreness.
3) Targeted Relief After Work
Support sore joints with sensation-free recovery products. Apply Draw It Out® 16oz Gel for broad coverage or Rapid Relief Restorative Cream for specific hot spots around hocks, stifles, or backs.
4) Hydration & Nutrition
Older horses often drink less, especially in cold weather. Keep water lukewarm and support hydration with Hydro-Lyte with GastroCell. Balanced nutrition with added joint supplements can also make a big difference.
5) Monitor Subtle Changes
Watch for signs like longer warmups, reluctance to pick up a lead, or mild back soreness. Early attention prevents small issues from becoming chronic discomfort.
Age doesn’t have to mean decline. With daily care and smart recovery, senior horses can stay active, happy, and part of the ride.
Senior Horse Joint Health FAQ
What’s the best exercise for older horses?
Light, consistent work—like walking, gentle trot sets, and turnout—keeps joints fluid. Avoid long periods of stall rest whenever possible.
How do I know if my senior horse has joint pain?
Watch for stiffness at the start of exercise, shorter strides, reluctance to pick up leads, or sensitivity when grooming over joints or back.
Which product is better: gel or cream?
Use Draw It Out® 16oz Gel for large areas like backs and hindquarters. Apply Rapid Relief Restorative Cream on smaller, specific joints like hocks and stifles.
Do senior horses need electrolytes?
Yes. Even older horses lose electrolytes through sweat and need steady hydration. Hydro-Lyte with GastroCell encourages drinking and supports gut comfort.
When should I call the vet?
If stiffness becomes lameness, if your horse refuses exercise, or if swelling and heat persist despite care, contact your veterinarian.
