Is your horse’s coat lacking shine? These are the things worth checking
A shiny, even and healthy-looking coat often reflects a horse’s overall wellbeing. If the coat becomes dull, rough, brittle or patchy, if shedding takes unusually long, or if the new coat grows poorly, there may be several possible reasons behind the change.
The appearance of the coat alone does not reveal the exact cause, but it can be a useful sign that the horse’s diet, living conditions and overall health should be assessed as a whole.
1. Insufficient energy and protein intake
Hair is made primarily of keratin, which is a protein. This is why an adequate intake of protein, and especially essential amino acids, is important for normal coat growth.
If a horse’s diet contains too little high-quality protein or too few amino acids, this may show as:
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slow shedding
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a thin or lifeless coat
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poor muscle condition
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slow recovery
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reduced hoof quality
In particular, lysine, methionine and threonine are amino acids whose adequate intake is worth paying attention to.
2. Deficiencies or imbalances in trace minerals
Many trace minerals influence the condition of the skin and coat. In particular, zinc and copper are important for the normal function of the skin, coat and pigmentation.
Zinc is needed, among other things, for keratin formation and skin renewal. Copper, in turn, is involved in pigment formation and the normal function of connective tissue.
The balance between different trace minerals is also important. For example, a very high intake of one mineral can reduce the absorption of another.
For this reason, mineral supplementation should not be evaluated based on a single nutrient alone, but as a whole in relation to the nutrient content of the forage.
3. Low intake of fatty acids
Dietary fatty acids play an important role in the condition of the skin and coat. An adequate intake of omega-3 fatty acids in particular supports normal skin function.
If the diet is based almost entirely on dried or conserved forage, the intake of omega-3 fatty acids may be lower than during the grazing season.
Good sources of omega-3 for horses include chia, flaxseed and hemp seed, as well as oils made from these seeds.
4. Insufficient vitamin intake
Several vitamins are involved in the normal renewal of the skin and coat.
For example, vitamin E acts as an antioxidant in the body and helps protect cells from oxidative stress. Biotin is particularly well known for its role in hoof health, but it is also involved in the normal metabolism of the skin and coat.
Fresh pasture contains high levels of vitamin E, but its concentration decreases during forage preservation and storage. For this reason, vitamin E intake is worth assessing separately during the winter feeding season.
5. Shedding increases nutrient requirements
In spring and autumn, a horse grows a large amount of new coat. This increases the body’s need for nutrients such as:
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amino acids
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zinc
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copper
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vitamin E
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energy
If the diet is already marginal or unbalanced, problems may become more noticeable during shedding.
6. Gut and digestive problems
Even a well-balanced diet cannot provide its full benefit if the horse is unable to utilise nutrients normally.
Long-term digestive problems, disturbances in gut function or reduced feed utilisation may also affect the condition of the coat and skin.
In these situations, it is worth looking at the diet as a whole:
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sufficient forage intake
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a consistent feeding routine
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adequate fibre
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moderate starch and sugar intake
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sufficient water intake
7. Parasites
Both internal and external parasites can sometimes affect the condition of the coat.
A high internal parasite burden, for example, can impair the horse’s ability to utilise nutrients, which may lead to weight loss and a dull or lifeless coat.
External parasites, on the other hand, can cause itching, rubbing and areas of hair loss.
The need for deworming should be assessed based on factors such as faecal egg counts and veterinary guidance.
8. Skin problems and infections
Hair loss or a poor-quality coat may sometimes be caused directly by a skin problem.
Possible causes include:
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fungal infections
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bacterial infections
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external parasites
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allergic reactions
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persistent dampness or friction
Localised hair loss, severe itching, broken skin or scabs should be investigated more closely.
9. Hormonal changes and disease
Prolonged shedding or an unusually long and curly coat can also be associated with hormonal changes.
In older horses in particular, PPID, a disorder of the pituitary gland, can affect normal shedding.
If a horse does not shed normally or its coat changes clearly compared with previous years, a veterinary examination may be appropriate.
10. Environment and management
Not all factors affecting coat quality are related to nutrition.
The coat can also be affected by:
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persistent dampness
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heavy sweating
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insufficient drying
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dirt
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rugs that rub
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excessive washing
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dry skin
Stress or long-term illness may also be reflected in the condition of the coat.
Where should you start?
If your horse’s coat looks worse than usual, it is best to start by looking at the bigger picture.
A useful checklist is:
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Is the amount and quality of forage sufficient?
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Is the horse getting enough protein and essential amino acids?
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Is the mineral balance of the diet appropriate?
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Is the horse getting enough zinc and copper?
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Is vitamin E intake sufficient?
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Is the horse getting enough omega-3 fatty acids?
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Has the parasite situation been checked?
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Is there itching, scabbing or localised hair loss?
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Is shedding unusually slow?
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Have there been changes in the horse’s overall condition or body weight?
In most cases, the best approach is to assess the horse’s entire diet and health rather than focusing on one individual supplement.
A healthy coat is built from the inside out – with adequate nutrition, a balanced diet and normal metabolic function.
