Winter Care for Senior Horses
For horse lovers, there is nothing more reliable or heartbreaking than watching their equine companion age. But aging is inevitable, and caring for a senior horse is part of the journey. Our horses have been there for us through thick and thin. Therefore, caring for our aging horses is like caring for another member of the family, through all seasons.
Providing proper winter care for senior horses is essential to keeping them comfortable, healthy, and thriving through the colder months. Just like older humans, senior horses experience age-related changes that make winter challenging. Declining digestive efficiency, dental issues, weakened immune systems, and reduced muscle tone all increase a senior horse’s risk of weight loss, illness, and discomfort. A proactive plan helps ensure your aging equine stays strong from the first frost to spring green-up.
At Vitalize®, our team of horse lovers is just like you. We’re passionate about those four-legged creatures in our stables and want the very best for them—especially the ones we have had for a long time. Together, we’ll explore winter care for senior horses.
Who is Vitalize?
Vitalize is a line of supplements for horses, dogs, and cats with proven solutions to keep your animal healthy and performing. We are a renowned brand of supplements designed to enhance equine health, provide a good gut feeling and support bone, joint and soft tissue health. Vitalize products support all equine enthusiasts. From the ranch horse owner on the Western plains to the Olympic jumper, Vitalize offers products to meet the needs of every horse, including our older horses.
The Vitalize brand was developed by BioZyme® Inc., a global fermentation company pioneering solutions for animal nutrition and health. Through innovative research and high-quality manufacturing, BioZyme creates products that improve animal health and performance.
Prioritize Body Condition & Nutrition
Cold temperatures increase calorie demands, and older horses often struggle to maintain weight. Start by evaluating your horse’s body condition score (BCS) before winter sets in. Ideally, senior horses should enter winter at a BCS of 5 to 6 so they have a healthy cushion of fat for warmth.
Consult with your veterinarian or nutritionist to create a feeding plan tailored to your horse’s needs. High-quality forage is the foundation of winter nutrition. However, many senior horses require additional calories or a senior feed that offers easily digestible fiber and controlled starch. For horses with poor dentition, consider soaked hay cubes or complete feeds to ensure they can consume enough long-stem fiber for proper gut function.
Support Digestive & Immune Health
Good digestive health is important year-round, but it becomes even more essential in winter when forage quality can decline. Senior horses benefit from digestive support that helps optimize fiber breakdown and stabilize the hindgut environment. Maintaining strong immunity also helps older horses better withstand temperature swings and reduce susceptibility to respiratory issues.
A vitamin and mineral supplement from Vitalize, powered by AO-Biotics® Amaferm®, a precision prebiotic, can help horses get more nutritional benefits from every bite. Amaferm is research-proven to enhance digestibility and absorption and is the key ingredient in the Vitalize equine nutritional supplements.
Maintain Hydration
Winter care for senior horses includes decreasing the risk of a dehydrated horse. Older horses may drink less when water is icy or cold, increasing the chance of impaction colic. Keep water sources clean, thawed, and ideally warmed. Adding salt to the diet or offering warm, soaked hay cubes or mashes can also encourage better hydration.
Provide Adequate Shelter & Blanketing
Older horses are less efficient at regulating body temperature, making shelter a key part of winter care for senior horses. Provide access to a clean, dry shelter that protects them from wind, precipitation, and extreme cold.
Blanketing can also help seniors conserve energy. Choose blankets that fit well, keep them clean and dry, and monitor regularly for rubbing or shifting. Remember that blanket needs can change throughout the season, so adjust as temperatures fluctuate.
Monitor Hoof & Dental Health
Routine care shouldn’t stop when the weather turns. Continue regular farrier visits to prevent hoof cracks and maintain balance. Dental exams are equally important, as older horses often develop uneven wear or loose teeth that interfere with chewing and nutrient absorption.
Observe Daily
Daily observation is one of the most valuable components of winter care for senior horses. Watch for changes in appetite, attitude, mobility, and body condition. Catching small issues early keeps them from becoming major concerns in harsh winter conditions.
Vitalize Products Support Senior Horses through the Winter
BioZyme’s Vitalize line offers science-backed nutrition to provide quality nutrition for winter care for senior horses. Each product contains Amaferm, a research-proven prebiotic that enhances digestibility and nutrient absorption.
Vitalize Equine Digest More Plus improves fiber digestion and supports hindgut health during forage transitions.
Vitalize Equine Vitamin & Mineral Supplement is a highly fortified, loose vitamin and mineral supplement for horses designed to support nutritional and digestive health.
Vitalize Alimend provides natural gastric support, helping maintain stomach comfort in horses that experience stress, such as becoming more frequently stalled as the seasons change.
We’ve mentioned just a few of our Vitalize products. We hope you will check out all the products Vitalize offers to keep your horse’s digestive system healthy and efficient, regardless of its age or the season.
Get Your Vitalize Now
Now’s the perfect time to plan for the winter care of senior horses. Are you ready to purchase your Vitalize products to give your horse a boost in equine nutrition? You can order them online or from one of our authorized online retailers.
Perhaps you like to shop locally. Check out where to buy Vitalize products near you.
Want to learn more about all of the Vitalize products that can give your horses a #goodgutfeeling? Sign up for our monthly newsletter or visit the Vitalize Product Navigator.