Winter management special: coat care

It’s natural for horses to grow thicker coats when the days get shorter and colder as they need extra hair to keep warm. Add in the challenges of mud and less time to attend to your horse’s grooming needs and you may find his coat loses its summer gloss.

However, we have good news – there are several things you can do to keep your horse’s skin in tip top condition this winter.

By considering the issues that cause the coat to lose its sparkle you can take action now and keep that healthy showring shine all year round.

From the inside out

Paying attention to what you’re feeding your horse can go a long way towards creating a healthy, shiny coat. For the best advice, speak to a qualified equine nutritionist to ensure you’re giving your horse his daily essentials. As well as what goes into his bucket, remember to feed good quality forage to keep him looking and feeling great.

For an extra boost, consider adding a supplement to your horse’s diet. Those containing omega oils and biotin are designed to support skin health, but there are many other herbs and nutrients that can help, too. Shop around for which products might be best suited to your horse’s needs.

Brush up

There’s nothing like a bit of elbow grease to keep your horse’s skin looking great. Grooming has so many benefits including…

• Removing loose hair and dead skin
• Promotion better circulation by increasing blood flow to the skin
• Making your horse feel better
• Massaging the large muscle groups
• Improving your horse/human bond
• Creating a shiny coat
• Providing a good workout for you

Did you know?

Using a curry comb in a circular motion all over your horse’s body is a great way to promote better circulation, massage his muscles and scratch his itchy places.

Find out more of our coat care tips for keeping your horse looking shiny this winter in December Horse&Rider – out now!