A horse might interact differently with his pasture mates as he ages. | Adobe StockHorses, like humans, slow down as they age and might develop health problems such as arthritis that require veterinary intervention, but observant owners can often spot behavior changes that suggest when a senior horse needs support.I think that with senior horses, its important to appreciate that age is not a disease, says professor Natalie Waran, OBE BSc(Hons), PhD(Cantab), an equine welfare expert with NavigateWelfare, in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. The aging process is a natural thing, obviously experienced in different ways, depending on the previous use of the horse, its conformation, etc. There are things an owner can do to help their senior horse experience a good quality of life as they age. For example, any pain associated with aging diseases can be managed, rather than just accepted as a necessary part of the aging process.Watch out for these common behaviors to help your senior horse live his best life.1. Observe How Your Senior Horse Rests/Lies Down/Gets UpSome older horses might have difficulty getting up and down due to physical problems such as arthritis. If your senior horse struggles to get up and down or doesnt lie down much at all, he might need veterinary intervention. If treatment is not effective, this behavior might be a sign that helps with end-of-life decision making.Horses need to lie down for about 30 minutes to an hour, one to three times a day to get crucial, deep REM sleep. The quality of their sleep is very important and they will need a lot more as they get older, just like we do, says Waran. Getting up and down may not look as comfortable (in) an older horse. They may not be as coordinated, but they find a way. You often see them change the way theyll get down or up so they can do it more comfortably.2. Watch for Changing Social Interactions in TurnoutCarefully observe your senior horses social interaction when hes turned out. Waran says its important to consider group stability and composition for all horses, but especially so for seniors who might be better kept with older horses. However, she also says she recognizes keeping a stable, calm older horse with a youngster can also provide some benefits for both horses.Youve got to remember that the older horse cant get out of the way easily, and it may get hassled, she says. Being in a social group is really important, but being in a social group that allows them to be safe and enjoy positive interactions and not feel like theyve got to scurry out of the way every time something comes near is even more so, for the older horse.Make sure your senior horses turnout area is conducive to a healthy lifestyle, with enough room to get away from pasture mates and to move and keep his joints active, a comfortable place to lie down, and safe footing.3. Watch for Personality Changes in Your Senior HorseWhen a horse shows a personality change, such as dullness or aggressiveness, it can be a sign of pain. But sometimes an older horses personality changes could simply be due to the nature of aging, said Waran. While cognitive changes or dysfunction, similar to dementia in humans, as well as short- and long-term memory loss, have been researched in dogs, they havent been widely studied in horses. But many owners report anecdotal evidence of their horse seeming to mentally slow down as they age.A senior horses personality might also change due to life circumstances. There might be a horse that was really out there (i.e., outgoing personality), and then as they get older and are no longer ridden, theyre quieter, and more timid, says Waran. That doesnt mean that their core personality has changed so much as theyve had to change their behavior to adapt to their new living experiences. They may be more wary because they need to keep out the way (of a younger, excitable pasture mate), or they are more relaxed because they are no longer living the life of a competition animal.If your older horse acts spookier than usual, it pays to have his eyes checked by your veterinarian. That could be breed-specific in terms of developing different diseases like moon blindness that we see in some of the colored breeds, like Appaloosas, says Amy McLean, PhD, associate professor of equine science at the University of California, Davis. But I just feel like in general, all of their reactions slow down, and I think having cataracts or blurred vision or early or related ocular disease is probably more prevalent in older horses.Horses dealing with musculoskeletal pain might not want to interact with other horses or humans. Their behavioral response is actually an indicator of what theyre dealing with and how theyre trying to adapt their behavior to cope with changes in their world, Waran said.Some older horses that competed their whole lives might lose their spark once theyre retired and no longer living an active lifestyle.They like being active with their owners, says McLean. A lot of people think about retiring the horse to a green pasture, but I think when that human/horse interaction and bond is lost to a degree, and theyre just kind of forgotten, I think it definitely changes their demeanor.4. Monitor Your Senior Horses AppetiteA lot of times, because were doing such a great job medically caring for older horses, theyre outliving their bodies in some sense, and one of the first things they tend to outlive is their teeth, says McLean.Some older horses lose their appetites, whether its because they have missing or painful teeth and, so, cannot chew comfortably, theyve had poor dental work, or they dislike certain textures of food.I do think we have to keep it exciting and encouraging them to eat, says McLean. Thats where you get into the mashes and things like that. But I do think its a real challenge because not all horses like their food in a liquid basis. Theres some mental reasoning that horses want to eat long-stem fiber, and Im not sure that goes away when theyre 30. If you notice some of the senior diets, theyll have some sweetness or smells added to them to encourage the palatability.Take-Home MessageWith attentive care, senior horses can stay comfortable and content well into their later years. By watching for changes in rest patterns, appetite, social behavior, and personalityand addressing pain or medical issues earlyowners can help their horses age comfortably.