reprinted from Benefab.com
Would you like to know how to achieve a shiny coat naturally for your horse? We will go over exactly how to do that, the health benefits of it, and why it is important. Below is a list of 5 easy-to-implement tips to achieve a healthy coat.
Tips for a Shiny Coat:
Curry your horse: Yes, elbow grease really makes a difference! Not only does currying stimulate the release of your horse’s natural oils, but it also helps with increasing you and your horse’s connection (we will talk more about this below). If you are unsure of what currying is, it is similar to a massage. Who doesn’t love a good massage occasionally, right?
Brushing your horse with a firm brush and a dandy brush will break up any debris, dirt, and dry skin on your horse’s coat. Also, using gentle grooming tools goes a long way for your horse—such as the HandsOn® glove which helps gently loosen dirt and gives you a hands-on, personal connection with your horse. Believe it or not, bonding is a huge part of effective grooming!
Vitamins play an important role in your horse’s coat. A lack of vitamins for your horse will result in a dull coat, and just like we would not like to have our skin looking dull, we should not want our horses coat to feel that way either. Vitamins A, B, D, E, along with Biotin, Zinc, and antioxidants, will help support your horse from the inside out, leaving your horse feeling happy and healthy.
Your horse more than likely loves and enjoys rolling around the mud and covering themselves with it. While this is a healthy and natural habit, it is important to remove the dirt out of the coat. A good, concentrated shampoo is a wonderful option for your horse. Helpful hint: If you want something natural, try using a sulfate-free shampoo. Although you may miss the suds, the cleanliness will be just like others without the added chemicals.
Having clean brushes is beneficial to your horse’s coat and will decrease the risk of fungal infections. You should wash your brushes every 1-2 weeks depending upon the season. To wash the brushes, you can use Dawn® dish soap with warm water—The soap is safe for your horse and will cut out the oils and grease, leaving no residue. Helpful hint: To disinfect the brushes, you can use a Lysol® solution by mixing 2 ½ tablespoons of Lysol® per gallon of water. Let the brushes soak for 30 minutes and let them air-dry naturally in the sun.
Dry and flaky skin is a strong indicator of a dull coat. Normally, this is from a lack of nutrition. Your horse should have a well-balanced diet consisting of high-quality protein, balanced minerals, vitamins, and Omega-3 fatty acids.
These are the tips we recommend to keep your horse shiny, beautiful, and healthy. Make sure you have the proper brushes and tools to curry your horse regularly. Choose vitamins and feed that will help support your horse from the inside out.
Achieving a shiny coat naturally for your horse is healthy, but if accomplished through all of the tips above, you will also create an even closer relationship with your horse through bonding. Remember, horses groom each other for pleasure and bonding, so it’s natural for them to enjoy our grooming.