Special Feeding Protocols

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We feed our horses at an optimal rate for a Senior, according to their exercise level, phase of development, and weight. Overfeeding can lead to laminitis, insulin resistance, and potentially colic, as they age.

We use the Horse Body Condition Score Guide to keep tabs on our horse’s weight throughout their lifetime, aiming for a body condition between 4 and 6, depending on their job and health. 

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Protecting the gut microbiome before digestive problems arise also helps keep TCTC's horses comfortable, happy, healthy and ALIVE. As horses age they're often more susceptible to stress; simple weather or seasonal changes; too much itching, eating sugary food like apples, carrots or just green grass. They can all negatively impact the GI tract, so TCTC's horses are supplemented with high quality equine probiotics as needed, especially the horses prone to potentially deadly bouts of colic, like Willow. 

We provide a special low-carb, high protein diet, soft or hard, to accommodate dental condition, DNA, and their history. We test the hay for sugar/protein balance and make sure it is dust free.

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We provide access to ample, clean well water, which is tested regularly.

Medical and Dental Care

Medical:

We prioritize semi-annual preventive measures, including minimal immunizations (since they can be risky to senior horses, and they've already had them for so many years); dental care, and regular deworming, which play a major role in a horse’s longevity.

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Dental:

We provide especially important equine dental care in our horses' golden years. Most require more frequent exams including a yearly visit from a qualified equine dental specialist.

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We work hard with our equine dentist to preserve teeth, like the extra weekly care for Bobbie's teeth, brushing them using a toothbrush with a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, rinsed well from a bucket of clean water; and extracting broken or decayed teeth; or helping loose ones tighten up again by feeding softer food for a little while.

Proactive and Holistic Care

Exercise:

TCTC keeps our older horses MOVING either under saddle (especially for special days off property on easy trail rides); driving, or with regular groundwork and turnout for pasture play. Even GENTLE exercise is critical for a healthy musculoskeletal system and brain stimulation. As herd animals, busy, social horses having fun are happy. Our first queue that a horse isn't happy is naughty or destructive behavior. When we listen and respond, the results are incredible!

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Hoof Care:

TCTC's amazing farrier of nearly 23 years now, Lisa Lichte, keeps TCTC's horses on a consistent schedule for critical hoof and joint health, as well as overall soundness and comfort. Due to her amazing education and experience, Lisa can do all the specialized shoeing and trimming they need.

Observational skills of our volunteers and love sponsors are crucial!

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Every horse's immune system decreases with age, and their health can change QUICKLY! They get cataracts, go blind, lose teeth, trip, get ulcers if too isolated, and need knowledgable scratching in just the right places!

Volunteers' vigilance and love can save lives! They pay attention if anything seems “off” in their horse, and contact me, our barn manager, and/or our vet tech, and the veterinarian immediately when needed, following the signs of emergency symptoms posted on our barn walls, so care can arrive sooner than later. We know our horses best and advocate for them through their entire life! 

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We provide clean, soft bedding, dust free or extra soft allergy free. Depending upon each horses need, the depth of the bedding is adjusted and is banked or unbanked, not wasted - for comfortable REM sleep.

​In Bugsy's case, a yearly visit to an equine eye specialist almost an hour away, to accurately check is Occular Pressure and overall eye health, and make sure Bugsy receives his twice daily medication to minimize the pressure, which occurred after he'd been thrown on the ground by people, much like a calf in a rodeo, prior to finding TCTC.

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Then, keeping our horses on a diet that is closest to nature for as long as possible is the best way to maintain quality of life.

We go the extra mile with hay balls on a dry lot for those who are restricted from pasture grass. The balls deliver smaller bits of hay, and require horses to traverse the corral or pasture as they follow, and clean up, the dribbled hay escaping from the ball rolling along. They also eat from wall bags with holes in them and hay nets for a.m. and overnight feedings. We also closely monitor our senior horses for equine diabetes, called  "Cushings" or "PPID."