Loss of muscle tone also makes the geriatric horse appear thin. Gravity takes its toll on a body over time. Geriatric horses often appear "Sway Backed." Their withers and hip bones are prominent and the hindquarters dropped. This loss of muscle tone is especially pronounced in older horses that also suffer from Cushings disease.
Cushings disease is actually a brain tumor in the pituitary gland. Horses can contract it at a younger age, but its effects are most debilitating as the horse ages. There are medications available to slow the growth of the tumor, but there is no cure. There is one geriatric horse at Marston Plantation that also suffers from Cushings disease. "Chittie," shows all the classic symptoms of the disease. His coat is thick, curly and refuses to shed. To keep him comfortable he must be clipped every spring. He seems to have an insatiable thirst and requires extra bedding in his stall to keep up with his urine output. He has a big belly, bony hips and poor muscle tone in his hindquarters. However, the most harmful effects of the disease can not be seen. The entire immune system of a horse with Cushings is compromised and the tumor will continue to grow and affect other parts of the brain. These are the effects that will ultimately make euthanasia the most humane treatment. For now Chittie is quite comfortable. The medication he was prescribed cost $260 dollars every three months. A cheaper herbal alternative seems to work as well or even slightly better, but still averages about $116 dollars every three months.
In addition to being fed three times a day, all the geriatric horses at Marston also receive a daily supplement to aid joint function, and a daily wormer. They are also given an Ivermectin paste worming every six months. Geriatric horses need extra help regulating their body temperature. In the cold months Kadar makes sure they are brought into the barn and blanketed. In the summer they are brought in to stand under fans and occasionally get hosed down. External parasites such as biting flies, gnats, mosquitoes and ticks seem to be more attracted to the geriatric horses (especially Chittie) sometimes causing open sores. Kadar has found a spot on fly repellent to be most effective, costing about $25 dollars for a three month supply.
Kadar estimates the average cost of feeding and caring for the geriatric horse ranges from $200 to $250 dollars a month. That amount can be substantially higher depending on how much of the care you can provide yourself, variable boarding costs, necessary medications, supplements, or other medical bills.
