Any horse breeder wants to know how long they will live. That's why he plans to actively use them for his own purposes.
How many horses live depends directly on the quality of the conditions they have created. If they are properly fed, well cared for aAny horse breeder wonders how long they'll live. That's why he plans to use them actively for his own purposes.nd properly loaded, they will reach the respectable age. The life expectancy of horses depends on a whole range of factors.
First of all, the stables must be clean and dry. Horses can't stand damp, dirty air and often get sick in such cases. In addition, the limbs and joints of these large animals are highly sensitive. The slightest mistake - and they begin to hurt, swell, there are all sorts of inflammation.
The daily routine of the horse is very important. Living creatures get used to a certain feeding time. It is also important to take turns between exercise and relaxation and to walk them outdoors regularly. These are the components of a long and comfortable life for your pet, regardless of age.
Dietary ration
The physical health, and therefore the longevity, of these animals, is greatly affected by their diets.
It should not only be nutritious but also balanced, that is, contain products that are sources of vitamins and minerals necessary for the body horses. Usually, a properly selected diet consists of:
- cereals (oats, barley);
- hay of high quality;
- In summer - green fodder (freshly cut and slightly dressed grass);
- mixed fodder;
- vitamin and mineral additives.
It is important to ensure constant access to clean and freshwater. Horses drink 50 liters of water a day. The older the horse is, the less coarse fodder it needs to eat, as there is a high risk of digestive disorders and stomach cramps.
Life expectancy of wild horses
Wild horses are not protected m temperature fluctuations, they have to endure strong heat and crackling frosts, as well as constantly get food and water. In winter, we have to get food from under the thick snow cover. Predators also contribute to the mortality of wild horses.fro
Another reason for the early death of wild horses is their susceptibility to viral, infectious and cold-related diseases, as well as helminth and other parasitic infections. In such cases, the youngest and weakest animals are the first to die.
The life expectancy of horses in the wild depends on the climate of their habitat. It has been noticed that in conditions of warm temperatures and abundant natural food supply, these animals live on average 7-10 years longer than horses living in harsh hot or cold areas with scarce food. Interestingly enough, the area of residence does not affect the incidence of disease in any way. It is the same in both comfortable and harsh conditions.
Such a wild horse as a Mustang lives on average for ten years, and very rarely crosses the 15-year threshold.
How many domestic horses live?
Here, the chances of living to old age in horses are much higher. This is explained simply by the fact that a person cares about their nutrition, builds shelters for them from bad weather and provides treatment of diseases. The average life expectancy of a domestic horse is from 20 to 25 years (with the proper level of care and maintenance).
However, the longevity is also strongly influenced by the nature of the animal's management.
Tribal stallions and mare live longer than the main herd because they are given special attention by the breeder. Purebred pedigree horses often survive up to 30 years. It depends on the value of each individual specimen for breeding work.
Sports horses live less because their bodies are constantly exposed to increased physical activity, and not only in competitions but also in training. In addition, they have an increased risk of injury, which significantly shortens their lives.
Sports horses often die of lung rupture, cardiac arrest, and they are at increased risk of stomach cramps (as they often have iron in their mouths). Constant micro-injuries cause chronic pain, and more serious injuries can lead to disability. Often sports horses, sports animals are discarded in their prime
Long-lived record-breakers
52 years old lived in France. Among stallions of the sports direction the longest-lived Australian horse Duke of Tango (42 years old).
One mare, whose nickname has not survived, not only lived to 46 years but also in 42 years brought offspring.
In our country the purebred sports horse nicknamed Budynok and the Arabian tribe mare Sahara is known. They lived 32 and 31 years, respectively.