Coat care counts

 If you’re fed up with looking at all your horse’s long cat hairs, brushing scurf out of his mane or wondering whether his dull coat will ever shine again, we’re here to help.

Some work now will not only get your horse looking better now, but set you up for a better summer coat, too.

With top tips from those in the know as well as practical, tried-and-tested advice from us, read on to discover how to turn a dull looking coat into a shiny one in no time.

Beauty from within

It’s no secret that a balanced diet makes a big difference to how your horse looks, as it does for us!

If your horse’s coat seems a little lacklustre, it’s worth consulting a nutritionist for advice – most feed companies offer free advice lines.

It may be that your horse’s diet needs a total revamp, or perhaps the addition of a supplement will make all the difference. Either way, a diet that’s not correctly balanced won’t provide your horse with the vitamins and minerals his body needs to stay healthy, so addressing this is crucial.

Did you know?

Grooming stimulates production of the skin’s natural oil – sebum – which helps to keep the coat soft and moisturised – as well as spreading it through the coat.

Keep it clean

Your horse’s rugs and tack need attention, too. After all, there’s little point spending hours grooming if you put a greasy, scurfy rug or saddlepad on afterwards.

Have rugs professionally cleaned at least once a year and consider buying liners that fit underneath and can put through a domestic washing machine when they get grubby.

Saddlepads, boots and other tack and equipment should be cleaned and washed regularly and, to help prevent cross-contamination, avoid using the same equipment on different horses.

Another consideration is your horse’s stable hygiene. Providing a clean place for him to live is not only beneficial for his overall health but it’ll help to keep his coat in better condition, too. Therefore, skip out regularly, provide plenty of clean, absorbent bedding and consider opening any extra windows and offering soaked hay or haylage to keep dust levels low.

Top tip

Avoid bathing your horse too regularly, as it strips the coat of the natural oils that help it to stay shiny and healthy.

For more tips on caring for your horse’s winter coat check out Spring Horse&Rider. Get your copy today!