Here’s how you can help your horse
When the days start to get longer and spring arrives, we throw our thick winter coats into the basement and wait for the warmer weather. While we are ready for the change in temperature within minutes, horses’ bodies have to work hard to adjust to the new conditions. The dense, warm winter coat is replaced by a short summer coat. Such a change of coat requires not only energy, but also time. Depending on the weather conditions and the way the horse is kept, this change can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months.
When does the coat change actually start? The change of coat in horses does not begin with the shedding of the old and brittle winter coat, but weeks before. As soon as the days get longer, i.e. shortly after the beginning of winter (December 21st). A change in hormones kicks off a metabolic change. The sunlight is responsible for hormones such as melatonin, which is, among other things, responsible for the biorhythm. Meaning, both the sleep-wake cycle and also the change of coat are controlled through hormones.
For humans, this is not yet visible, so the horses are usually prepared nutritionally way too late.The change from a winter to summer coat is much more depleting to energy and vital substances than the coat change from summer to winter. Old and sick horses, as well as those with metabolic problems or sweet itch often struggle during this time.
By feeding correctly, we can help horses a little. For changing a horse’s coat, its body needs a lot of energy. The need for trace elements such as zinc, copper and selenium also increases. If the horse lacks these substances, the coat change happens, but the immune system weakens. This explains why many horses are more susceptible to infections, such as respiratory diseases, during the coat change.
In general, oils, preferably cold-pressed and with unsaturated fatty acids, have a positive effect on skin and coat. Milk thistle and linseed oil have a particularly targeted and effective result. These oils can be fed with 20 ml on 100 kg of the horse’s body weight per day. But be careful! Too much might damage the horse’s sensitive intestines!
In addition, healthy horses can also regularly get fruits and vegetables such as carrot or beet, as they contain important vitamins.
A balanced feed with adapted contents of vitamins, minerals and trace elements ensures vitality and is the best basis for an easy coat change.
However, if you are unsure what your horse really needs, an individual feed consultation by a licensed professional or a vet can help. In addition, a blood test can provide information on whether there is a deficiency already.
An intact skin and hair coat is extremely important for the overall organism of the horse. The skin is the largest organ of the horse. It protects the body from external influences and is also responsible for stimulus transmission, heat regulation and immune defense. Likewise, health affects the skin and therefore the coat change. Depending on the horse’s state of health, this change puts more or less strain on the horse.
Horse owners should consider feeding requirements and a sufficient supply of additives such as vitamins or minerals early on. The greatest attention is paid to the overall structure of the horse. Studies have shown that the substances necessary for the coat and skin metabolism can only be properly absorbed from the food if the digestion is undisturbed. Proper functioning of the liver, kidney and intestine is a prerequisite for an easy change of coat. Because only if these organs function smoothly, the skin can work as a detoxification organ. If the horse is unable to produce a new coat in time due to a lack of nutrients – infections and disorders of the immune system may follow.
Every process of the body needs energy. Due to its physical condition, its age and its daily exercise, every horse has an individual energy requirement, which increases even further during the change.
The best basis is a healthy and need-based feed, which should be continued and adapted throughout the year, because the change of coat is not a spontaneous and short-term reaction, but a lengthy process.
We can also help our horses by brushing out the old, dead hair with the appropriate brushes. The advantage of grooming is that the skin is massaged by the circular movements and the increased blood circulation of the skin supports the growth of new fur.
Showers should be avoided, since it could dry the horse’s skin. This massively increases the risk of an infectious disease. In addition, the pH value of the skin is changed and kills important bacteria, which are very important to the protection against skin infections. In addition, the natural greasy film, which also serves as protection against moisture, is removed by the lye in shampoos. After the change of coat, of course, nothing speaks against a thorough cleaning.
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