Supplement for my older mare?

Just to be sure she is at optimal health for a lady of her age. Another pair of eyes never hurts, and a vet may have suggestions as to how to maintain weight and condition.

Mini Meat said:

From that pic her wight looks okay to me. Looks like she is loosing top line and abdominal muscle. Not surprising for an out of work 26 year old.

Was her tail set always that high?

What breed(s) is she?

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Breed? Uhh.....when I bought her I was told she was "a range horse from Eastern Oregon". So, who knows? I've always thought mostly Quarter/stock type, but maybe with a little Morgan thrown in at some point. She's always had a pretty level croup and nice padding on her rump around the tail. Let me see if I have any older pics....



This one's from I think 2013. She didn't have such a dip around her withers then, it's the angle of the pic and her neck. Like I said, she's always been a very easy keeper and I've worried more about founder than keeping on weight.

When you do decide it is time for a supplemental bucket I like to keep it simple. Soaked beet pulp and rice bran 2:1 ratio. I am cheap and don't like to pay top dollar for over processed fancy packaging.


Comparing those to pics. I would say her pelvis has tilted forward some.
I vote It is muscular.
Now for the advice you didn't ask for

There are a few things you can do to help stretch her back keep her comfortable as she ages.

Passive:

Move her feeder and water to opposite ends of her paddock so she has to move around.

Place poles in her path of movement (safely of course) so she has to lift her feet and lower her head when she walks.

Semi passive: Best done with her hind end under her.

Carrot stretches. Make her reach as far to each side and down between her front legs as she can to get a tid bit.

Belly scratches. Scratch her belly vigorously enough that it causes her to lift her back and lower her head. Once up, release and repeat.

Active:

Back her up gently with her head down. 10 steps

Bring her head around to the side and ask her to disengage her hind end. Make sure as she steps to the side that her inside hind is crossing in front of the outside hind. Do this in both directions. 5 good steps.

Best of luck with her it is hard to watch our noble companions getting older.