What makes horses coats shiny

It is really quite easy if you follow these simple steps. Step 1—Feed a balanced diet Many nutrients, including protein, copper, zinc, and vitamin A, have a direct impact on the health and shine of your horse's coat. These nutrients as well as all of the other essential nutrients must be provided in your horse's diet at levels that will meet your horse's requirements. If you don't keep your horse healthy on the inside you can't possibly expect the outside to shine. Step 2 — Add oils to the diet If your horse's diet is low in oils, and in particular, low in the essential fatty acids omega 3 and omega 6 it will probably mean your horse's coat will be dull.

Almost all oils will have a positive impact on coat shine. Cold pressed canola or soybean oil or any oils that have been fortified with omega fatty acids are particularly effective. Rice bran oil and coconut oil are also good for coats. Step 3 — Feed feeds known to darken coats It is well known that feeds containing molasses will make a palomino's coat go 'smutty' or dark in colour, while it will bring a deep liver colour out in chestnuts that have the genetics to go that colour.

Don't feed molasses to horses prone to laminitis! Products containing a compound known as gamma oryzanol are also reported to darken coats. Gamma oryzanol is found naturally in rice bran and can also be purchased in a purified form Google gamma oryzanol and horses. Step 4 — Worm regularly Nothing will take the shine off a horse's coat faster than a heavy worm burden, so be sure to worm regularly and follow a good worming rotation schedule.

Step 5 — Brush! Brushing regularly will remove dead hair from your horse's coat and stimulate the horse's sebaceous glands which release oils that cause the hair to lie flat and shine. It nearly all comes down to a good diet I can't stress enough how important Step 1 is. Balance the diet and make sure all of your horse's nutrient requirements are met. That is why, caring for it is considered a must. Showing extraordinaire Katie Jerram Hunnable, who has had the honour of riding and producing for HM the Queen for a number of years, shares her tips for a stunning shine below.

Think about his worming programme, his teeth and his general health status. If you need any advice on these aspects of his management speak to your vet. A healthy digestive system is the foundation of a healthy horse so start by making sure you are feeding enough forage. On average, this equates to approximately 9kg of hay 11kg if you are going to soak it or kg of haylage for a kg horse without grazing. Nutrient deficiencies can affect coat condition so providing your horse with a well-balanced diet is key to producing a healthy horse on the inside, as well as a lovely shiny coat on the outside.

The best way to provide a balanced diet is to feed the recommended ration of a suitable compound feed or balancer. Oil can be the icing on the cake when it comes to conker-like shine with rapeseed, soya, corn and linseed oil all helping to provide an additional source of essential fatty acids. However if you are adding more than ml of oil per day you may also need to feed an additional vitamin E supplement. The blower attachment of the vacuum helps remove all the dust particles and the suction of the vacuum will further stimulate his oil glands.

Step 4: Protect that coat Now that you've got your dream coat, make sure you protect it vigilantly. For an ideal coat, it's best to keep your horse inside between the hours of 9am and 5pm, as the bright, direct rays of the sun can bleach your horse's coat terribly.

If this isn't possible, keep your horse covered with either a light sheet in cooler climates or a mesh fly sheet in warmer areas to prevent sun damage. I suggest you spray him daily with an equine moisturizing product that contains a sunscreen.

Avoid using any silicone based "shine sprays" on your horse's coat. These are acceptable for occasional use at shows, but are not recommended for daily use as they actually seal the hair follicle and prevent it from absorbing moisture. Keep soapy baths to a minimum no more than once per month, or before shows , as these needlessly strip oils from the coat.

If your horse gets sweaty, feel free to hose him off with clean water as this sweat can dull the coat as well but do not use shampoo or soap. If you follow these simple instructions, your horse should be shining like a champion in no time. You can bet at your next show, competition, or trail ride all eyes will be on your gorgeous, lustrous horse and you will have everyone asking you how you managed to make him so beautiful!

Good luck and happy riding! Article Source: www. Horse Riding to be Dropped from Modern Pentathlon. The Power of Play with Our Horses. Royal Agricultural Winter Fair to Return in John Prescott - Rhodococcus Equine Bacteria. I deworm my horse….. Skip to main content. Login My account. Grooming , How-To. By Jessica R.