Autumn support for senior horses 14+ years

Written by: Anna Franklin

Published on October 6, 2026

Read time 6 min

Table of Contents

Why autumn matters for senior horses KEY TAKEAWAYS Signs your senior horse may be struggling to chew... Frequently Asked Questions Always seek veterinary advice if you have concerns about weight loss, laminitis, mobility or signs of PPID or EMS. Our team is always happy to chat. Call us on 0114 266 6200, email info@bluechipfeed.com, or drop us a message on social media. Other articles you may like

Why autumn matters for senior horses

The autumn transition brings several changes at once, and senior horses may be less able to adapt to them. The main changes to watch for are:

Declining grazing - changes the calories, protein, vitamins and minerals your senior horse receives from grass.
Cooler, damper weather - can make age-related stiffness and arthritis more noticeable.
More preserved forage - can be harder for senior horses with worn or missing teeth to chew.
Changes in routine - such as less turnout and more time stabled, which can reduce natural movement.

None of these changes need to cause problems. With a little planning, you can help your senior horse stay settled, mobile and in good condition through autumn and into winter.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Autumn is a good time to review your senior horse's diet, as changing grass affects calories and nutrients.

Forage should stay at the heart of the diet, adjusted for condition, dentition and individual needs.

Regular body condition scoring and weigh-taping help you spot weight changes early.

Gentle, regular movement helps manage stiffness as the weather cools.

Dental checks matter more as horses age and eat more hay and haylage.

PPID, EMS and insulin dysregulation become more common with senior age, so watch for signs and involve your vet.

Always make dietary changes gradually.

Changing grass and maintaining condition

As summer grazing declines, the calories and nutrients your horse gets from grass change too. Some senior horses can lose weight surprisingly quickly in autumn, while others remain good doers and need careful calorie control.

Forage should remain the foundation of a senior diet, just like other horses, with the type and quantity adjusted to your horse's body condition, dental health and individual needs.

To stay on top of your senior horse's weight:

Body condition score regularly, paying attention to the topline, ribs and hindquarters.
Use a weigh tape every couple of weeks to track changes over time.
Feel under rugs, as weight loss can be hidden as the weather cools.
Act early, as it is far easier to maintain condition than to rebuild it in winter.

Choosing the right senior feed for your older horse - Your horse may be 14, 18, 25 or even older, but age is only part of the picture. The right feeding programme depends on their weight, condition, workload, dentition and individual health needs.

For good-doing seniors, Blue Chip Senior Feed Balancer provides essential vitamins, minerals, quality protein, and digestive and mobility support in a low-calorie formulation.

For seniors who struggle to hold condition and topline, Blue Chip Senior Plus provides additional nutritional support, including higher-quality protein to help maintain weight, muscle and topline.

Stiffness and reduced mobility

Cooler weather can make stiffness more obvious, particularly in senior horses with age-related joint changes or arthritis. Regular, appropriate movement is one of the best ways to maintain mobility and muscle tone in an senior horse.

Ways to keep your senior horse moving comfortably:

Choose gentle exercise such as hacking, turnout or in-hand work if ridden work is no longer suitable.
Allow extra time for warming up and cooling down.
Avoid long periods of inactivity, especially when he is stabled more.
Maximise turnout where ground conditions allow.

Both Blue Chip Senior and Senior Plus contain targeted ingredients such as glucosamine and rosehip extract to support joint health and mobility.

Digestion and dental health

Older horses can become less efficient at digesting and absorbing nutrients. Dental problems are also increasingly common with age, making it harder to chew long-stem forage effectively, just as more hay and haylage enter the diet.

Signs your senior horse may be struggling to chew...

Quidding, or dropping partially chewed balls of forage
Taking longer to finish meals or leaving hay
Long fibre lengths in droppings
Weight loss despite plenty of forage

If you notice any of these, speak to your vet or a qualified equine dental professional. Soaked feeds, fibre mashes or suitable forage replacers can help make eating easier.

A consistent, fibre-based diet alongside appropriate digestive support (often included as part of feed balancer formulations) can help maintain gut health as your horse gets older. As with any horse, make dietary changes gradually.

Fun facts about senior horses

Horses' teeth keep erupting through much of their life to make up for wear from grinding forage.

In very old horses they can eventually wear down completely, which is why many veterans need softer, easier-to-chew feeds.

The oldest horse on record, Old Billy, worked on canals in north-west England and reportedly lived to 62.

A horse in his 20s is often compared to a person in their 60s or 70s, which is why many owners now class horses as "senior" from around 14 or 15.

Metabolic and hormonal health

Older horses can develop conditions such as PPID (Cushing's disease), EMS and insulin dysregulation, which can make feeding decisions more complicated. PPID becomes increasingly common with age.

Signs to watch for include:

Muscle loss, particularly along the topline
Changes in coat, such as a long or curly coat or delayed shedding
Increased drinking and urination
An increased risk of laminitis

EMS involves insulin dysregulation and is associated with an increased risk of laminitis. Importantly, insulin dysregulation can occur even when a horse does not appear obviously overweight.

For these horses, maintaining a suitable body condition and controlling dietary sugar and starch can be particularly important, alongside veterinary monitoring and management. Autumn grass flushes can also be a laminitis risk, so keep an eye on grazing for at-risk horses.

Autumn checklist for your senior horse

Check weight and body condition regularly

Review forage as grazing changes

Keep your horse moving comfortably

Arrange regular dental and veterinary checks

Watch for changes that could indicate PPID, EMS or insulin dysregulation

Make sure the diet provides sufficient protein, vitamins, minerals and digestive support

Image from Blue Chip Feed

Image from Blue Chip Feed

Frequently Asked Questions

At what age is a horse considered a senior?

Many horses are considered senior from around 14 or 15, though every horse ages differently. Weight, condition, dentition and health matter more than the number alone.

Why is my older horse losing weight in autumn?

Declining grazing, dental problems, reduced digestive efficiency or underlying conditions such as PPID can all play a part. Speak to your vet if weight loss is sudden or ongoing.

What should I feed a senior horse that is a good doer?

Keep forage at the foundation of the diet and use a low-calorie senior balancer, such as Blue Chip Senior, to provide vitamins, minerals, quality protein, and digestive and mobility support without unnecessary calories.

Can my older horse still be ridden in autumn and winter?

Many can, depending on their health and soundness. Allow extra time to warm up and cool down, and consider gentle hacking or in-hand work if ridden work is no longer comfortable.