It amounts to simple things, really. He never needed blanketing, now we
have to bundle him up. The vet at Allaire took a fair amount of time
examining his legs and Mr T started to cramp from the chill. Two
blankets later and he was fine.
We need two visits per year from the horse dentist and careful attention
to his diet, with added fat from rice bran, Vit E/Se and Hoof from ABC.
We tried Purina Senior, liked it, but found it was more cost effective to
use rice bran.
He doesn't hold his condition the same way he used to. You can leave
Kasey in a field for a month and then take him out and do 50 (I wouldn't
of course--just making a point!), whereas Mr T now needs "tune-ups" that
seem more like early spring training requirements.
What makes it so hard--on us-- is that the "look of eagles" never dims.
He clearly wants the job--he expected more miles after a tough 30 on
Jersey sand, he was disappointed when I wrapped his legs.
So I'm curious--for those of you with "old warriors"--what special needs
have you identified, how are you tailoring your program, what do you
anticipate doing in the future, what plans have you made for that dreaded
retirement time?
Email me privately and I will put together a summary of what I've learned
from your combined wisdom on this topic.
Thanks--
Diane @ Safe Haven