Science Helping Senior Horses

There are few things that make me smile more than seeing case studies of horses afflicted by an illness or injury whose lives have been completely turned around thanks to a new treatment or therapeutic option.

One of the best parts of my job is learning about advancements in veterinary science and technology and new treatment methods that can help improve horses' lives. There are few things that make me smile more than seeing case studies of horses afflicted by an illness or injury whose lives have been completely turned around thanks to a new treatment or therapeutic option.

I've seen this first hand in my own horses on numerous occasions. This most noticeable, however, was my older Miniature Horse's reaction to treatment once she was diagnosed with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID, or equine Cushing's disease). We'd purchased Brandy from owners who weren't well-versed in horse care and didn't provide her with ideal care. She came to us extremely obese and with some behavioral issues due to improper handling. For instance, we couldn't lift her tail for years because her former owners had used it in a restraint technique. So it didn't necessarily surprise us when Brandy went ballistic—rearing, kicking, bolting, etc.—when our veterinarian tried to administer vaccines for the first time. Clearly there were some issues from her past that we'd have to deal with, and our veterinarian was very understanding and helpful as we tried to help our new addition adopt a normal (and well-behaved lifestyle).

Over the years, we tried several different options to help keep Brandy quiet when she got a shot. By the time we moved from Massachusetts to Michigan, our veterinarian had a routine down by which to administer all Brandy's vaccines, and while it wasn't the most graceful production, it was effective. Eventually, Brandy "quieted" from utterly horrible with shots to just extremely uncooperative (trust me…there's a difference).

For several years after we moved to Michigan, Brandy's uncooperative antics continued. Our veterinarian in Michigan was also successful in vaccinating her, although like in Massachusetts, it wasn't the prettiest picture for several years.

Eventually, Brandy's vaccination antics waned. She stood relatively quietly and maybe shook her head a few times in objection to the needles in her neck. We were all relieved that she'd apparently grown out of her objection to vaccines.

Shortly after and following several laminitic episodes, our veterinarian diagnosed her with PPID and started her on treatment. Her ability to move improved immensely, and her haircoat improved as well. But, when the vet came to give spring shots for the first time following treatment, the "old Brandy" was back. Akin to her first vaccination experience with us, she reared, bucked, bolted, etc. Eventually, and after a struggle the vaccines were administered. But of course, we were left wondering why Brandy's bad behavior had suddenly returned.

Looking back, a few points emerged. Brandy's bad vaccination behavior began subsiding around the time she started suffering from laminitic episodes, which later were determined to be side effect of her PPID. Could her good behavior actually have been the result of her not feeling as good as she used to? That's the conclusion we reached with our veterinarian.

Another more recent example involves my good friend's Paint gelding, Romeo, who was retired from riding in 2010 due to a nasty case of navicular disease. At the time, she'd exhausted most of the options available to Romeo and he'd ultimately received a poor prognosis for soundness. So, at 11 years of age, Romeo became a very handsome companion to a senior Morgan gelding my friend cares for.

How has improved veterinary science and technology helped your senior horses?