‘Giving seniors their finest lives’: UK house owners’ ‘loyalty and keenness’ for veteran horses

British house owners have “loyalty and keenness” for senior horses, offering top-class take care of our particular veterans.

A survey of greater than 5,000 individuals, performed by feed producer Spillers, discovered comparable outcomes to a 2022 examine, “reiterating simply how a lot the nation loves their valuable equine oldies”.

Over a 3rd (37%) of respondents had horses aged 25 or older, and 65% thought-about equids outdated at 20.

“In accordance with the survey, contributors are extraordinarily loyal to their seniors; 62% had owned their seniors for 11+ years,” a Spillers spokesman mentioned. “A staggering 99.5% of contributors expressed their intention to maintain their senior horse for the rest of its life, highlighting a deep dedication to their wellbeing.”

The spokesman mentioned a lot of the veteran horses have been “largely wholesome and energetic”; 80% have been thought-about in good situation, 8% chubby and 12% needing extra situation. Widespread age-related points together with stiffness, arthritis and PPID (Cushing’s) have been additionally reported.

The spokesman mentioned 62% of the senior horses have been nonetheless in ridden work, three quarters of those in mild work. Retirement was widespread for horses aged between 21 and 25; essentially the most incessantly cited cause was that it “simply felt like the suitable time”.

“It’s heart-warming to see that we’re such a compassionate nation, giving a lot care and devotion to our particular oldies,” mentioned Claire Dyett, advertising supervisor for Spillers.

“It’s also reassuring to see that our newest survey precisely displays the findings from our earlier work, which offers some very strong information for this vital sector of the equine business.

“Bravo to all of the house owners on the market who’re giving their seniors their finest lives. Improved veterinary care and diet imply that we’re higher positioned to handle situations comparable to arthritis, PPID, and dental points. An 8% enhance in feeding a mash means that house owners could also be recognising the suitability of soaked feed displays to help senior well being, significantly when dentition turns into compromised. It’s by working collectively that we will proceed to reinforce well being, welfare and high quality of life and switch age into only a quantity.”

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H&H information editor

Eleanor is an skilled journalist who spent over eight years working for native and nationwide newspapers earlier than becoming a member of H&H as information editor in March 2016. Enthusiastic about equine welfare and exposing the reality, Eleanor has reported on all features of the business, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage guidelines to mules. Her sport of selection is showjumping, through which she competes her personal horses, and she or he additionally enjoys reporting at native leaping reveals by means of to worldwide championships.