Animalife Super Senior Horses

‘People ask me how we keep winning – the answer is Vetrofen!’

Horses and ponies are classed as veterans on their 15th birthday. But this doesn’t mean the retirement paddock beckons! Just as with people, modern advances in medicine and nutrition are helping keep senior equines active and healthy well into their twilight years. Read on to find out how Vetroflex Original and Vetrofen Intense from Animalife are playing their part in keeping three vibrant veterans on the go.

Not that long ago it was the norm for horses to retire in their early teenage years. Nowadays there is a huge variety of shows, events and classes targeted specifically to the older horse and it has become the norm to see veterans out and about enjoying their golden years.
Of course there are certain conditions that seniors are more susceptible to. One of the most common – especially with an ageing population – is arthritis. This degenerative joint disease causes pain and inflammation as the cartilage on the ends of bones wears down, leading to lameness, discomfort, loss of movement and reduced performance. Affecting one or many joints at a time, arthritis is the result of years of wear and tear and tends to be worse in horses that have suffered a joint injury or led very active lives.
Arthritis is incurable, but with the right support it can be managed to reduce inflammation, keeping your veteran comfortable. Regular use of a joint supplement, such as Vetroflex Original and Vetrofen Intense, is one way to help your veteran live his best life.

MEET MAGIC

‘Within days we saw a difference’

Magic, a Welsh Section B owned by Kent-based Victoria Vaughan, has been setting the show ring alight over the past year – at 29 years of age.
“At our last show he was 22 years older than the next oldest in the class and he still won,” laughs Victoria. “He’s always the oldest pony in every class and at every show we go to someone asks me how my 29-year-old is beating their seven-year old show pony. I’ll tell them all the same thing – the answer is Vetrofen!”
Victoria has owned Magic for nine years. He was rescued by his former owner and then enjoyed a career as a scurry pony, before coming to Victoria as part of his owner’s house sale owing to dementia.
“We thought he’d make a great companion pony to my Warmblood, but he was the worst companion,” explains Victoria. “He was so neurotic and noisy in the field, so we thought we’d try our hand at showing.”
Going in-hand for his first show, Magic stunned Victoria with his movement.
“We had never seen him move like that,” she says. “He came home from that show like a new person. I’d never shown before and was told he would have won if my ringcraft hadn’t let him down!”
Not long after this an incident with Warmblood Gruffalo at home led to Magic being prescribed phenylbutazone (bute).
“Obviously you can’t compete on bute, so my friend recommended Vetrofen Intense as she’d seen great results with it.
“We saw a difference within two days of starting him and he was much more comfortable than when he was on bute.”
Since then, Magic has received two scoops of Vetrofen Intense a day.
“On one occasion he went three days without it as we’d ordered it late and you could immediately tell the difference,” says Victoria. “He was stiff and grumpy, so I know we must never run out again!”
Since last October Magic has won 45 rosettes competing in-hand and on the lead rein with Victoria’s six-year-old daughter Matilda. Twelve of those rosettes are firsts with seven runner-up places. The gelding has been placed in championships, with his ultimate aim being to qualify for next year’s Kent County Show.
“We show him about once a month and will only travel an hour from home, which rules out many of the Veteran Society shows, but it’s all about keeping him happy and comfortable. Because of his age we are especially careful with him and only want him to live his best life,” adds Victoria.
And it certainly sounds like he is.
“One day we took part in nine classes in one show, rather than just the two we were entered in, as Magic was enjoying it so much,” she explains.
“If we are placed fourth, he bites me. If we are placed third and there are no other horses pulled in behind us, he bites me,” laughs Victoria.
“It’s like he’s saying ‘come on Mum, you’re letting me down.’ I’ve had to learn a lot to keep up with him!”

‘Unlike with other joint supplements I can honestly say I’ve seen such a difference’

Busy bee Dougie, a 14-year-old Irish Sports Horse, would be training himself if he could, says owner Natalie Lindfield.
“He is a very cheeky boy who likes to be kept busy and is always up to something,” adds Kent-based Natalie.
Following on from five seasons pre-novice eventing, Dougie sustained a torn meniscus in his near fore suspensory back in February.
“I’ve been carefully rehabilitating him since then and really taking my time with him,” explains Natalie. “Now, six months later, we are doing walk, trot and canter in the school and lots of road work, which is great for building strength.”
A friend suggested supporting Dougie’s rehabilitation with Vetroflex Original and Veterofen Intense. By keeping Dougie sound the supplements have played a key role in his recovery and rehabilitation.
“I was so impressed,” says Natalie. “I really, really noticed a change even when we started out on the loading dose and within two to three months it has made such a difference.
“I’ve tried various joint supplements before, but this is the first time I can honestly say I’ve noticed a difference using one.”
Dougie has Vetroflex Orignal every day and Vetrofen Intense as he needs it.
Dougie’s rehabilitation is going so well that freelance groom Natalie plans to start competing him at dressage next year.
“I want to take the pressure off and he’s really enjoying flatwork in the school, so that’s our aim for next year,” she adds.
With Vetroflex playing a key role in Dougie’s rehabilitation, Natalie started her new horse, nine-year-old showjumper Nelson, on the supplement when she purchased him in May.
“Prevention is better than cure and even though Nelson is younger, I’ve already seen that he’s benefited from his daily Vetroflex,” she says.

‘Vetroflex gives me piece of mind’

‘You name it, we’ve done it,” says owner Danielle Clarke when discussing her gelding Denver. “The older he gets, the younger his brain gets and he loves to be keeping busy and showing off!”
At the age of 24 the IDxTB is ridden six days a week, enjoying flatwork, jumping and hacking around the Cheshire countryside. His daily Vetroflex Original has given Denver a second lease of life since he was diagnosed with arthritis aged 17.
“We tried him on various supplements, but it was only when we put him on Vetroflex that we saw the arthritic changes in his coffin and hock joints slow down,” says Danielle.
“It’s made him so comfortable and is definitely doing the job.
“He has Vetroflex Original every day and Vetrofen Intense as he needs it. It’s great to think that a supplement can make such a difference in later life.
“Had I know about arthritic changes and how Vetroflex can help, I would definitely have started him on it earlier in life.”
Danielle is also bringing on youngster Nancy alongside Denver.
“I’ll certainly be starting Nancy on a joint supplement a lot earlier,” she says. “Being on Vetroflex has given me piece of mind and has proven to me that the right supplements really do work.”