01/06/2026
Some may not agree with me on this, but “OLD” is not an acceptable excuse for a horse being skinny. Yes, senior horses are harder to feed. Their teeth wear down, digestion changes, and they burn calories differently. Keeping weight on them takes more effort, more money, more time, and more intention. That part is true.
But thin is not the same as skinny.
An older horse may lose some topline. They may look softer, less muscled, ribs showing a bit, a little tucked as the years add up. That can be normal. Ribs clearly showing, hips sharp, spine protruding, and no padding anywhere? That is not age. That is neglect.
Old age doesn’t lower the standard of care. It raises it. Senior horses require regular dental care, appropriate feed, parasite control, and often multiple meals a day. If you cannot meet those needs, the kindest choice is to ask for help or make different arrangements.
They carried us for years. They worked, taught, and trusted us. Growing old should not mean growing hungry.
