Senior Horses care

[LynnG]

I have found some good articles on senior horses and care of them if you have our sweet and blessed older paso finos...

General care
http://www.yourhorseshealth.com/health_care/older_horse.html

Dentistry
http://www.xcodesign.com/aaep/displayArticles.cfm?ID=269

Joint Therapy
http://www.yourhorseshealth.com/joint_therapy/index.html

[Boyd R]

By the Way does anyone know of a good horse dentist in GA.

[Pasogirlz]

I'll be moving this to the health forum for future reference. ;-) Thanks for posting.

[pasobeat]

How old is considered senior for horses, and are paso finos on a different timeline based on their longevity? I have a coming 15 year old that most people think is around 5 due to his condition and attitude. We still trail ride in the mountains, and his ribs are well covered. Should you change the diet based on actual age, knowing what's going on internally, even though the outward symptoms don't warrent a change? Just curious on what your experiences are.

[GeorgeGuns]

I dunno, I think I tend to go with how a horse is presenting. I have 2 horses that are 22 years old, one looks old, the other doesn't, both have leg injuries that mean no more riding, both are doing well for forage only diets and I keep a close eye on them for changes. With older horses, I do believe in keeping them out out out so they can move as much as they can. Diet according to teeth and body condition, and any known medical conditions. Its what's on the inside we can't tell until a problem rears its ugly head, ie: gut and absorption quality that does tend to fail with age, but that would reflect in condition and manure quality. Treat'm as you see'm.

[Dave]

Hey Boyd...We've used Darrell Nice (out of Kentucky). About every 6 months he comes down and a few of us get with him at my sister-in-law's barn in Commerce. He should be back around April if your interested.

[Boyd R]

Keep me up to date. I was thinking for Carlos. I have had him floated almost every 9 months. Beginning to think the vet doing it is not doing something right.

[Tina Calhoun]

Hal Coats travels to various locations in and out of the country. He lives in Ocala and would be willing to travel to GA. He charges $225 and has been very well received by other Paso Fino farms we've recommended his services to. If you want referrals I can provide you the farms to call. You may want to get a number of horses together to share in his expense.

Just a thought. His number is 352-812-8882.

[stella]

Tina, $225. per horse for a standard float? That sounds VERY VERY high.

[Tina Calhoun]

Not everyone can afford the fee - I totally understand. It depends on what you consider a standard float. Typically an equine dentist is between $200 - $250 per horse if you want the expertise of a specialist and not just a vet that files away. But yes, that is expensive. But we have discovered tooth problems that have saved us big time.

In using vets for less, we have discovered wavy teeth patterns, TMJ problems, and limited expertise. In using Hal Coats, or others in the past, the difference is worth every penny on an annual basis.

You can read about Hal at www.HorseSmartSeries.com.

[Barbwire]

That's crazy expensive, I pay $40 for a once a year float.

[Mellifluous]

Hey Boyd...We've used Darrell Nice (out of Kentucky). About every 6 months he comes down and a few of us get with him at my sister-in-law's barn in Commerce. He should be back around April if your interested.

I am in Commerce and would love to get my older gal in on the teeth floating action when April rolls around. Would it be OK, can I get more info?

[cowboy ed]

there is a huge difference in getting a horse's teeth floated, and having them worked on by an equine dentist who uses rotary equipment. that is why it costs more. if you have never watched an equine dentist in action with rotary equipment, then you are missing out, and so is your horse.