veteran celebration
Keeping golden oldies active
More older horses and ponies are leading active lives than ever before, which is testimony to improved diet, expert veterinary care and a greater understanding of the needs of horses, but it’s important to continually assess management to ensure ‘golden oldies’ stay healthy and happy. Keeping older horses in varied work with lengthy periods of turnout will help maintain suppleness. Studies have also confirmed that regular work, along with avoiding long periods of inactivity really does help to reduce any pain associated with arthritis. Older horses are also known to be much more at risk of soft tissue injuries of ligaments and tendons, so variety in the workload is important. Flexibility and fitness in any age of horse does reduce these risks and regular checkups from qualified complementary practitioners, including physiotherapists and massage therapists, will help to identify potential problems. Regular attention from the farrier is also essential. However the effects of ageing are inevitable and the signs that a horse may need to slow down include stiffness, loss of muscle, particularly over the topline, a thicker winter coat, greying of the hairs and dental problems. When it comes to assessing how much work your older horse or pony will enjoy, there is no ‘one size fits all’ formula and if you aren’t experienced in assessing the early signs of arthritic changes, then ask for expert advice from your trainer or vet. Apart from lameness, the teeth of older equines need regular care and six-monthly dental checks may become necessary as a horse’s teeth stop growing at around 20 years old. Prevention is definitely better than cure. The risk of colic is also much greater as a horse ages, so daily routine and diet should be kept as consistent as possible. Your worming management should be thorough and a more natural fibre-based diet is always preferable. Cataracts become more common with age, so when routine vaccinations are done, ask your vet to perform a simple eye examination. At the same time, any lumps or bumps should be discussed as melanomas and sarcoids are also increasingly seen as the horse ages. With regular care and attention, there is no reason your veteran cannot enjoy good quality of life in the ‘Golden Years’ of his life.
Equine Page 14
Marmite at the Animals in War Memorial before its opening in 2004
Marmite looking handsome!
Veteran mule Marmite helps remember Armistice Day
Sixteen-year-old Marmite may now spend his days grazing with new friends at Redwings’ Essex centre, but life hasn’t always been so quiet for this handsome mule. Redwings takes a look back through Marmite’s incredible life so far and how he has helped remember the animals of war....
In 2004, Marmite took part in the unveiling of the Animals in War memorial on Park Lane, at the edge of Hyde Park in London. The monument commemorates the many millions of animals who have suffered and died in human conflicts and was opened by HRH Princess Anne in the year that marked the 90th anniversary of the First World War – a war where more than eight million horses, mules and donkeys died alongside over 10 million soldiers. “At the unveiling, Marmite was pictured alongside the life-size bronze sculptures of two pack mules,” explains Redwings Chief Executive Lynn Cutress, “and his stoical presence served as a poignant reminder of the strength and stamina so valued in these unique animals.”
Mules are a cross between a horse and a donkey and have an incredible ability to cope in harsh conditions, and on very little food and water. Their natural hardiness therefore enabled them to survive on the front line in environments where other animals may have perished.
Marmite also provided a touching link with the past when he attended a reunion of the Chindit Special Forces in 2003, who fought in the Burmese jungle during the Second World War. The tough nature of mules put these animals once again at the heart of operations as they carried equipment and wounded men. Marmite wore an original army pack saddle at the reunion, bringing the memory of his courageous forebears to life. Marmite was offered a place at Redwings when his owner’s health prevented her from providing the daily care that these special hybrids need. “This amazing lady had bred Marmite herself and taught him to be ridden,” continues Lynn. “The sight of a mule under saddle is so unusual these days that Marmite and his owner
were even featured in Your Horse magazine! “We’re delighted to have been able to offer Marmite a safe, permanent home where he is able to enjoy his retirement, and on Remembrance Day, we were all thinking of all the lives, both human and animal, that have been so tragically lost to war.” Lynn attended, as she does every year, the special service held at the Animals in War memorial to commemorate the contribution and sacrifice made by animals in conflict.
Marmite under saddle
More about mules
At the reunion of the Chindits in 2003, Marmite is pictured wearing an original Army pack saddle
More about mules: Mules are a rare natural example of interspecies breeding. They are a hybrid between a horse and a donkey but are born sterile so cannot breed themselves. Mules were widely used before the development of the combustion engine as they are stronger for their size than horses or donkeys and were commandeered in their tens of thousands for military use in the First World War particularly. Redwings currently has 16 mules in its care at the Sanctuary.
www.theequinesite.co.uk
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