Demographics of the
older horse
•Increase in
geriatric horses presented to veterinary hospitals (4 to
6 fold, up 55%)
•NAHMS*-7.5% of
horse population is ≥ 20 yrs
–75% between 20-29 years (old
horse)
–25% ≥ 30 years (very old
horse)
•Average age =
25 years (71 human years)
–1 horse year @ 2.85 human years
*NAHMS=National Animal
Health Monitoring System, 1988, USDA