Do you ever see others’ horses and wonder how they look so shiny and smooth? Oftentimes those horses appear in top condition, as if they’re ready for a show every day. Yours can be like that, too, if you take the time to get them ready. Sure, it’s going to take a little work, but the end result will be a sheen as smooth as you’ve ever seen.
Let’s take a look at the ways you can help your horse shine like the top of the Chrysler Building.
You are what you eat
What we eat affects every part of us – our shape, skin, hair, eyes and so on. Horses are no different. If their diet doesn’t have the proper nutrients, the rest of the body won’t work and look as it’s intended. For example, horses need vitamin D to absorb calcium for strong bones, just like us, but they don’t drink milk like we do. So, they need to get the extra D from what they eat. They also need Vitamin A to respond better to infections, and E as an antioxidant. The beauty of D and E is that they’re fat-soluble, so they can be absorbed by dietary fat in the body.
Granted, most store-bought feeds will give your horse what they need, but you can always talk to your vet about supplementing his diet. Simply put, a horse can only develop his finest coat if you watch what he eats.
Groom like you mean it
Eating is only one step toward a shiny coat. Grooming is another, and it’s a big one. Routine grooming often makes the difference, because a regular regimen creates gleam. And by regular, we mean every day. Doing so encourages his body to produce oils which conditions the coat. It doesn’t have to be a mindless exercise. Spend grooming time wisely by using it to examine the horse’s body for signs of injury, skin inflammation, scabs, or scars. You can also look in the ears for signs of bugs, or sections of the body for signs of lost hair. You may not want to spend the time doing this, but like anything, it will pay off in the end.
Smooth operator
You’ll also want to remember to clip and wash the hair. Some people think that hair growth has to do with the weather, such as the cold making it grow. But growth is really connected to the amount of daylight, because it takes 16 hours of daylight for the hair growth cycle to occur. If your horse’s long hair requires regular trimming, that won’t leave it dull, it’s removing dead ends – just like your own hair. If you’re worried about any potential dullness, that’ll eventually go away.
You’ll also want to keep him clean via baths, but don’t do it too frequently even if dirt arises. Over-bathing requires you to add oils onto the skin, so consider rinsing sweaty horses and sponging, or toweling them when cold. Consider using diluted shampoo, conditioner and detangling products that are pH-balanced for horses, and as always, rinse well.
