Coat Shining Supplements

Coat Shining Supplements

Photo: Robin Duncan Photography

With Lynn Stewart, M.Sc., P.Ag

Q    My horse’s coat is quite dull despite regular grooming and a good feeding program. Are there any feed supplements that might help bring a shine to his coat?

A    Your horse’s hair quality can be an indication of his internal health. When nutrients are scarce, areas like coat and hooves are lower priority than organs vital for survival. Often, a poor coat can be indicative of sub-optimal nutrition. 

First, review your horse’s ration to evaluate if it is still meeting his needs. This is particularly important for growing horses, horses in more demanding training programs, or breeding animals. A diet that you formulated six months ago may not be appropriate for your horse today.

Next, compare your horse’s diet on paper with what he is actually eating. Have you received a new load of hay, or is your horse turned out in new pasture? You may want to have a forage analysis done, as it is the best way to determine forage quality. If you are feeding a commercially prepared feed, review the feed label; sometimes manufacturers change the ingredients or feeding rate of the product. Is your horse eating a daily vitamin and mineral supplement? Vitamin and mineral intake can often be too low if you are providing them as free-choice, or in a competitive group feeding environment. 

flaxseed for horsesFlax seed is an excellent source of omega fatty acids, which are important for a healthy coat. Remember to grind the flax seeds before feeding for maximum benefit.

You may want to consider a probiotic supplement to help your horse maintain a healthy level of “correct” bacteria in his gastrointestinal tract. The bacteria help the horse by getting more nutrients out of the feed than the horse would be able to on his own, and can be particularly beneficial to horses that are in stressful situations (shows, long trailer rides, new environments, etc.), those that have recently been ill, and those on a low-forage, high-concentrate diet.

Adding fats to your horse’s diet can help the sebaceous glands produce more oil and improve the appearance of the coat. Flax seeds are a great source of omega fatty acids, and should be fed freshly ground for maximum effect.

Commercial coat supplements do exist; however, I only encourage their use after all other areas have been considered. Most commercial products contain various blends of fatty acids, vitamins, and trace minerals. Use these products with caution if your horse is already receiving adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals as they can lead to toxic levels of nutrients.

A call to your veterinarian should also be in order. A general check-up may be able to identify an underlying health problem.  A poor coat can indicate the presence of conditions such as ulcers or metabolic diseases. Is your horse on a regular deworming schedule? It may be worth reviewing this with your veterinarian to ensure that your horse is on the most effective program. Has your horse had a recent dental exam? Improper chewing and swallowing can lead to poor digestion and nutrient absorption. All horses should have regular dental exams, especially young and senior horses.  

Lynn Stewart, M.Sc., P.Ag., is a fully certified equine nutritionist based out of Leduc, Alberta. Her company, Pace Equine Nutrition, offers independent nutrition consulting for horses of all ages and levels throughout Canada and the States. For more information, visit www.PaceEquine.com.

Main Article Photo: Robin Duncan Photography - A naturally shiny coat on the outside typically indicates a healthy horse on the inside.

This article originally appeared in the November 2012 issue of Canadian Horse Journal.

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