Caring for your Elderly Horse

Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary, based in Ingatestone, Essex, will be hosting a one-day informational seminar on Saturday 15 November at The Holiday Inn, Brentwood, to educate horse owners on the differing care needs as their equines advance in age.

Tickets cost £30 and can be purchased online via Eventbrite.co.uk, or from the Remus office by contacting tel: 01277 356191 or by sending an email to: info@remussanctuary.org.  Tickets will include light refreshments and a seminar handbook.  The day will commence 10am, ending 3pm.

Companies interested in sponsoring the event should contact Alison Page of APM on tel: 07963 002065 or by sending an email to: promotions@remussanctuary.org.

Like humans, horses are living longer than their predecessors and, equally, as they start to age, will show signs of grey around the eyes, ears and muzzle, possibly deep lines and depressions on the face and some muscle degeneration.  What may not be so apparent is difficulty eating, Laminitis, Arthritis, Cushing’s disease and Cataracts. The Remus elderly horse seminar will alert horse owners to these issues, providing information, tips and advice on what to look for and how to detect and address any developing problems early, with a view to minimising any discomfort to the horse and prolonging its life and wellbeing.

The following experts will be presenting during the day:

• Mark Murrell  MA, VetMB, CertES(Orth), MRCVS, RCVS Certified Equine Orthopaedic Surgeon of Platt & Murrell Veterinary Surgery
• Tracey Hammond MSc (Dist) Equine Nutritionist of Dengie Feeds
• Dr Jo Ireland BVMS PhD Cert AVP(EM) MRCVS of Animal Health Trust
• Dena Schwartz, MICHT, ISAAP of The Holistic Approach
• Rachael Grundon, Clinician in Ophthalmology of Animal Health Trust

Sue Burton, founder of Remus Horse Sanctuary in 1983, said, “we know that horses have differing needs as they advance in age and we need to educate horse owners of these needs.  Earlier this year we took in a mare at 47 years of age, in a pitiful state, but with a lot of care and attention, the right food and the right treatment, we’re already seeing her put on weight and improving her quality of life.  It’s a joy to see.”