Does Your Horse Need to Be Switched to Senior Feed?

When to make the move — and how to choose the right product at Manning’s Feed & Seed

As our horses age, their nutritional needs often change — sometimes subtly, sometimes dramatically. The question many horse owners ask is: “Is it time to switch to a senior feed?” The short answer: maybe, but not necessarily immediately at a set age. At Manning’s Feed & Seed, we carry over ten senior-feed options, so you’ll want to match the feed to your horse’s individual needs, not just their birth year.

Why Senior Feeds Exist

As horses grow older, several changes can affect how well they use their diet:

• Their digestive system may become less efficient at absorbing nutrients.

• Dental wear or tooth loss can reduce effective chewing of forage, meaning forage intake or quality may decline.

• “Fuel efficiency” can drop: a horse might need more calories and higher-quality nutrients to maintain condition than in earlier years.

• Some senior feeds are formulated as complete feeds (meaning they can replace or reduce hay if needed) and often include higher fiber, added fat, better protein, and easier-to-digest ingredients.

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Because of these changes, a senior feed may help maintain body condition, coat/topline quality, digestion, and overall well-being in an aging horse.

When Is It Time to Switch?

There’s no definitive “switch at age 15” rule — many horses do just fine on adult maintenance feeds well into their late teens or 20s. Instead, use these indicators to decide if a switch is warranted:

Key signs to watch:

• The horse is losing weight or failing to maintain body condition despite adequate feed.

• The horse’s topline is declining.

• The horse has dental issues, such as missing or worn teeth, or is dropping partially chewed forage.

• You notice undigested forage in the manure — a sign of reduced digestive efficiency.

• The amount of regular feed being consumed is going up, yet the condition is going down.

  
  

Age as a guideline:While age isn’t the sole determinant, many equine nutritionists begin looking more closely at “senior” status when a horse hits 15 years or older and begins showing subtle changes. However, a younger horse with dental issues or poor digestion may benefit from senior feed earlier, while an older horse in great condition may not need to switch yet.

How to Pick the Right Senior Feed at Manning’s

Since we offer more than ten senior-feed options at Manning’s Feed & Seed, choosing the right one depends on your horse’s unique situation:

• Chewing ability and forage access: Horses with dental issues may benefit from pelleted or textured senior feeds or complete feeds that replace hay.

• Weight and body condition: For horses struggling to maintain weight, choose a feed higher in fat and calories.

• Digestive health: Look for feeds with easily digestible ingredients, added fiber, and probiotics.

• Forage quality: If your horse still eats high-quality hay easily, a lighter-calorie senior formula may be enough.

• Transition carefully: Introduce new feed gradually over 7–10 days to prevent digestive upset.

• Consult your vet: Always discuss diet changes with your veterinarian or an equine nutrition expert to ensure you’re meeting all your horse’s needs.

  
  

The Bottom Line

Many older horses benefit from a switch to senior feed — but only if their condition, digestion, or chewing ability shows signs of decline. The decision should be based on observation, not just age.

At Manning’s Feed & Seed, we stock more than ten premium senior-feed options designed to fit every type of horse. Stop by one of our locations, and our knowledgeable team can help you choose the best formula for your horse’s needs and guide you through a smooth transition.

Your horse deserves senior nutrition done right — tailored to them.