Older horses will often feel life’s challenges, such as decreased grazing quality and restricted movement, the most so it’s important to make sure they’re getting everything they need. While you can get supplements to support specific areas of your horse’s wellbeing, such as joint supplements or digestive supplements, some companies also make supplements for older horses that are formulated to support their all-round health.
These veteran supplements often contain ingredients that are known to support the joints and digestive system, so that they are working as efficiently and comfortably as possible. Some also include ingredients that aim to help maintain the hormonal balance. There are such a wide range of veteran-specific supplements that it’s important to consider what you’re looking to gain from one before you make a purchasing decision.
If you compete with your older horse then it is important you make sure any supplements you use do not contain any prohibited substances.
Supplements for older horses: what are your options?
Here is a selection of the best supplements for older horses that are currently available, including the manufacturers’ descriptions of their products…
NB: Cost per day has been calculated using the maintenance measure for a 500kg horse in light work (where there was variation) and the RRP of the smallest available tub. Some products require you to feed more in certain situations, which will increase the cost per daily measure, while buying a larger tub will likely decrease it – these costs per day are a guide only.
NAF In The Pink Senior
Form: Powder | Sizes: 900g, 1.8kg, 3.6kg | RRP: £24.99 for 900g | Daily measure: 30g | Cost per day: £0.83 |
This supplement provides the older horse with the support he needs to stay active and feeling young. It helps balance the diet and the digestive system, which enables the horse to maximise the value of his feed intake. It also supplies antioxidant ingredients to flush excess free radicals and provides nutrients to support joint health.
View NAF In The Pink Senior at viovet.co.uk
View NAF In The Pink Senior at amazon.co.uk
Science Supplements WellHorse Veteran
Form: Powder | Sizes: 1.6kg | RRP: £34.99 | Daily measure: 54g | Cost per day: £1.18 |
This supplement contains every important nutrient your veteran horse requires and meets the NRC (National Research Council) and BASF (Animal Nutrition) recommendations for vitamins, microminerals and macrominerals to keep your older horse as active as ever. It also supports joint, respiratory and digestive health, muscle function, the immune system and coat and skin condition.
View Science Supplements WellHorse Veteran at amazon.co.uk
Blue Chip Super Concentrated Senior Balancer
Form: Pellets | Sizes: 3kg | RRP: £25.90 for 3kg | Daily measure: 100g | Cost per day: £0.86 |
This feed balancer includes CushinCombo, which is a combination of chaste tree berry, antioxidants and omega oils, as well as a complete joint supplement, containing glucosamine and rosa canina.
View Blue Chip Super Concentrated Senior Balancer at viovet.co.uk
View Blue Chip Super Concentrated Senior Balancer at amazon.co.uk
Feedmark Veteranaid
Form: Powder | Sizes: 1.25kg, 2.5kg, 5kg | RRP: £51.99 for 1.25kg | Daily measure: 37.5g | Cost per day: £1.56 |
This is described as the ideal tonic for older horses who require additional nutritional support to bring back their sparkle. It provides powerful herbs selected for their beneficial and supportive effects on the immune, circulatory and lymphatic systems.
View Feedmark Veteranaid at ebay.co.uk
Global Herbs Veteran Plus
Form: Powder | Sizes: 1kg | RRP: £26.50 | Daily measure: 10g | Cost per day: £0.27 |
This supplement is designed to help support older horses when they lose the spark of youth. The key herbs, such as winter cherry, help to support digestion and immune function. It helps to maintain peak body condition, mobility and energy levels.
View Global Herbs Veteran Plus at viovet.co.uk
View Global Herbs Veteran Plus at amazon.co.uk
View Global Herbs Veteran Plus at globalherbs.co.uk
Dodson & Horrell Mobility
Form: Powder | Sizes: 1kg, 2.5kg | RRP: £13.83 for 1kg | Daily measure: 43g | Cost per day: £0.86 |
This dried blend of herbs will support your horses muscles and joints. It includes comfrey leaf, dandelion and nettle, which work to help support normal cell renewal and general joint and bone health. Celery seed, burdock root and devil’s claw root are also added for ease of movement.
View Dodson & Horrell Mobility at viovet.co.uk
View Dodson & Horrell Mobility at amazon.co.uk
EquiNutritive Golden Oldies
Form: Powder | Sizes: 600g, 2kg | RRP: £24.99 for 600g | Daily measure: 30g | Cost per day: £1.25 |
This natural herbal supplement for older horses provides extra support to maintain healthy mobility, liver function, dental strength, a shiny coat and healthy skin.
View EquiNutritive Golden Oldies now at equinutritive.com
View EquiNutritive Golden Oldies now at amazon.co.uk
EquiLife Vitex4 Equids Plus
Form: Pellets| Sizes: 7kg | RRP: £41.99 | Daily measure: 190g | Cost per day: £1.14 |
This contains Vitex agnus-castus (chasteberry), which helps to support the horse’s hormonal balance by assisting the normal functioning of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland.
View EquiLife Vitex4 Equids Plus at viovet.co.uk
Equiform Nutrition Excel Cush-ex
Form: Liquid | Sizes: 2l | RRP: £58 | Daily measure: 60ml | Cost per day: £1.74 |
This liquid supplement provides support for the ageing competition horse. It contains milk thistle and chaste berry to provide nutritional support for the pituitary gland and liver, helping the body to keep the effects of old age at bay.
Equine Products Equine OAP
Form: Powder | Sizes: 1.5kg | RRP: £39.60 | Daily measure: 50g | Cost per day: £1.32 |
A total-spectrum complementary feed for older horses that provides vitamins, minerals, trace elements, probiotics, prebiotics and a protein source for maintenance of general health and vitality.
You might also like:
Joint supplements: what’s on the market?
Keeping a veteran active for longer *H&H Plus*
Exercise or joint supplements — which is better for older horses? [H&H VIP]
Do supplements help equine OAPs or is movement a better medicine? Peter Green MRCVS finds out
Digestive supplements: what’s on the market?
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