Caring for the older horse How to keep your veteran fit and healthy

Thanks to advances in modern veterinary care, horses are living much longer. A 30-year-old horse is no longer rare, but knowing how to care best for these senior creatures is not so common. Jung, an animal physiotherapist, provides copious advice on, e.g., feeding, homeopathic treatment, exercise, magnetic therapy, and herd management. She describes all the problems one might encounter with an old horse, including failing eyesight, loss of hearing, loss of teeth, arthritis, and changes in coat texture. She also addresses end-of-life issues like when it is time to euthanize an old horse. Some of the terms used are British and may confuse an American reader. Verdict As Jung does not cover standard veterinary care for older horses, such as injections for arthritis, Karen E.N. Hayes and Sue M. Copeland's Hands-On Senior Horse Care: The Complete Book of Senior Equine Management and First Aid is a better choice for horse owners interested in traditional veterinary care. Recommended only for owners interested in alternative equine medicine.-Patsy E. Gray, Huntsville P.L., AL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.