Everyone wants their horse’s coat to be smooth, shiny, and fine so they can ride with pride! But that’s not the only reason riders strive for a beautiful coat. The truth is, there’s far more to a horse’s coat than the majestic appearance it gives. Your horse’s coat can actually say a lot about its health! There are measures the horse owner can take to maintain the desired look, like regularly grooming. Other factors that affect a horse’s coat may be a little more difficult to spot, but we’re here to help. Here’s what your horse’s coat says about its health!
Proper Nutrition
A coat will lose its luster due to poor nutrition. This can be from a lack of receiving enough feed or from the feed lacking vital nutrients for a horse’s coat to thrive. Low amino acid lysine, minerals & vitamins, and protein-to-energy ratios can result in your horse’s coat to look dull. A healthy diet where all the above are balanced and the horse is being fed enough feed per day will deliver the shiny coat every rider desires!
Parasite Infestation
Heavy infestation (both internal or external) of parasites will have an impact on your horse’s coat. This may appear outwardly as a scraggly, dull, and rough coat. Watch out for gnat and fly bites, as the scabs and blisters they can leave on the skin open the way to disease and parasitic attacks.
Sun Exposure
You may notice a change in your horse’s coat after a long day under the sun. The sun can cause a horse’s coat to fade a bit, which may be alarming at first glance. Horses can get sunburn just like humans, which is why sunscreen, protective clothing, and avoiding peak daylight hours are great habits to get into.
Sweat Exposure
Sweat contains a small amount of sodium, which can affect your horse’s coat. The sodium in their sweat can cause skin irritation if left on the horse for extended periods of time. When horses sweat, they are more susceptible of getting sick or becoming chilled. This can all be avoided by keeping their hair clipped and grooming regularly.
Glandular Issues
Aging mares often encounter problems with their pituitary glands. On their coat, this may look like a coarse and excessively growing coat. Dry, brittle hair may signify a glandular issue associated with wasting diseases. If this drastic change occurs, call your veterinarian for a professional opinion.
Fungal Infection
It’s common for patchy shedding to occur in horses as the weather warms during the spring season. But if you notice matting or parts of the hair coat clumping, there may be more occurring than a seasonal shed. These two symptoms are often signs of a fungal infection. If this is the case, you will most likely need to be prescribed an anti-fungal medication from your vet.
When it comes to horses, we should always aim for a beautiful, shiny and smooth coat. By practicing proper grooming, a balanced diet, and mindfulness, we can address any of these issues as soon as they arrive. Much like how every horse is different, their coats can also vary among each other. This means each horse’s “shiny coat” can differ quite a bit from another. Checking on your horse’s coat daily can give you a standard of what it normally looks like to better understand when your horse’s coat is healthy and when it is not.