23/03/2026
Lots of golden oldies today on my round - by 10am Iâd already trimmed a combined age of about 94!
Elderly and retired horses and ponies require and deserve the same standard of hoofcare as their working friends. They also need some extra consideration in the following areas:
Comfort and consideration đ
We wouldnât ask our granny to stand with one leg in the air for 5 minutes and then tell her off if she couldnât do it, so the same applies to our elderly horses.
đ´ I allow extra time for my golden oldies so they can have lots of breaks if needed.
đ´ Adjustments need to be made for knees that donât bend like they used to and hips and hocks that donât want to be hiked up. For hind legs I have a special mini hoof stand, or I let these older equines rest their hoof on my boot, or even just work with their toe tipped on the ground.
Balance and symmetry đ
Older horses often develop asymmetrical wear patterns if they are moving in a compensatory way as a result of old injuries or age related problems such as arthritis.
đ´ Itâs important to still properly balance the hoof to prevent a vicious circle of uneven wear leading to distortion in the hooves, which in turn exacerbates upper body issues.
đ´ At the same time consideration has to be given not to take away something which needs to be there to help the horse compensate.
Vigilance and monitoring đ
As horses get older they can develop conditions such as PPID, arthritis and dental issues leading to weight loss.
đ´ Itâs important when trimming that your hoofcare provider monitors older horses for early signs of complications, such as persistent thrush or laminitis (resulting from undiagnosed/untreated PPID).
đ´ Changes in behaviour, consistent reluctance to lift a particular limb, issues standing for a trim in a previously good horse, should all be shared with the owner and investigated if necessary.
đ´ Visiting every 6 weeks allows for changes to be noticed which might not be as obvious to the person who cares for the horse every day.
Compassion and kindness đ
If youâre the equivalent of an 85 year old, you donât deserve to be told off for being grumpy, needing a rest, or saying no. I love old horses - in many cases they have spent their whole lives giving to us, and so itâs really the least we can do to find ways to make trimming easier for them when they need it.
đ´ For some, a tasty bucket of food can win their cooperation, others just need to feel confident that they wonât be asked to do something that hurts them or is beyond their capabilities. In other cases owners can liaise with their vet for pain relief and anti inflammatory medication if needed, to help smooth things around trim day.
Hereâs to the golden oldies heading into spring to enjoy the sunshine on their backs for another year â¤ď¸â¤ď¸â¤ď¸
