Summer coat
By Hayley Kruger
Let’s get switched on for summer! Summer is the season of sun and fun, but also brings with it those pesky flies and bugs. So before summer gets into full swing, we want to fill you in on some top tips for keeping the coat in the best condition possible.
Groom for a great coat
Most of us know the struggle of brushing out a winter coat.
By now, most horses will have shed most of their winter woollies, but some horses hold on to a bit of fuzz much longer than others.
Regular, thorough grooming is the oldest and probably the most effective way of keeping a coat clean and shiny.
Tools like a rubber curry comb and body brush are most useful.
Ensure you brush your horse properly each day.
Use your hands to feel the horse’s coat for any bits of debris or dirt sitting under the coat that may need to be removed.
If your horse is very dirty or hairy, you may need to brush over certain sections twice.
Keep in mind that it is normal and healthy for horses to have some dirt in their coats, especially after grazing in the paddock.
Use your curry comb in small circular motions on a portion of the horse’s body, followed by smoothing over the hair with the body brush.
Pay attention to your horse’s tolerance of being brushed, as he may be sensitive in certain areas.
Grooming allows for the horse’s natural oils to come through and gives him that lovely, glossy, healthy shine.
Manes
There is some controversy around trimming a mane, as some people like to show off their horse’s particular breed where long manes are traditional, while some believe it should grow naturally to protect the horse against flies, and other people prefer to keep it short.
Whatever you decide, make sure your horse is comfortable. Thinner or shorter manes are likely to keep a horse cooler in summer. Longer manes can, however, help to keep the flies at bay when the horse shakes his head and neck.
Horse wear and grooming supplies
There are lots of items available on the market that every equestrian should keep stock of.
Fly mask
Your horse will appreciate a well-fitting fly mask during bug season.
Choose a mask that is cool and comfortable for your horse.
For horses with sensitive skin, a fly mask with a nose piece can protect them against the harsh African sun.
Horses with sensitive or very fluffy ears could benefit from a fly mask with ear pieces attached, to protect them from the sun and to keep bugs out of their ears.
Always have a spare fly mask handy, as these items seem to be a great toy among horses!
If your horse does not like a mask, a fly fringe can work too.
Fly sheet
A fly sheet is a lightweight mesh sheet that can be placed on the horse to keep biting midges and flies from attacking him. This is useful for horses with sensitive skin or allergies. Some fly sheets also have UV technology to deflect the sun’s rays and keep the horse cool.
Always check, however, that your horse is not sweating underneath his fly sheet.
If he is ripping it off, he is probably telling you he does not want it on – always listen to your horse!
Sunscreen
Some horses, particularly those with pink noses, are vulnerable to sunburn. You can place some sunscreen on the sensitive areas of the horse – just monitor him for any allergic reactions.
Avoid putting sunscreen in the eyes, nostrils or mouth.
Always ensure the horse has access to shade as well.
Coat products
For those entering shows again, there are many products on the market to help with making your horse’s coat shine.
Most come in the form of a topical spray that can be used directly on the coat.
Experiment with different equine coat products and find one that you like.
There are also coat products specifically designed to complement and enhance your horse’s coat colour. These usually come in the form of a shampoo that you can use when bathing your horse in preparation for a show.
Although coat products can give that lovely finishing touch, a great coat will always ultimately stem from a well-balanced diet.
From the inside out
A good coat is the direct result of a good diet. It’s vitally important to assess each horse individually, and tailor his diet to suit his needs.
Factors to consider are breed (good doers versus leaner breeds that require more dietary attention), work load (how much energy the horse is burning during training), living conditions (living out versus stabled), and of course what the horse is already eating.
It is important to ensure that your horse is getting enough roughage, fat and fibre in his diet.
It would be highly beneficial to have an equine nutritionist assist you in this regard, should you be unsure of what your horse’s needs are.
Bleaching
Many people find that their horses bleach during summer due to the following:
- The horse’s sweat – if left on the body, the sun dries the sweat and it discolours the coat. Always be sure to hose your horse off after a ride during which he was sweating, or sponge him down if it is cooler. The use of a sweat scraper to remove the dirt after hosing also helps.
- An imbalance in the diet – there are many ingredients that contribute to a healthy, sun-resistant coat, including omega fatty acids, copper, zinc and iodine as well as high-quality proteins. You need the right balance between all of these to prevent bleaching.
Staring
Sometimes the coat can appear dull and standing up (not smooth and following the natural growth of the hair). This is known as staring.
A staring coat is an indication that the diet is imbalanced or that the horse may need to have a faecal egg count done to check for worms.
A staring coat can be fixed, but it would be advisable to have an equine nutritionist assist.
Feeding supplements
In some cases, supplementing may be necessary to help the horse with his digestion and the processing of nutrition.
It is advisable to always seek advice from a vet or nutritionist before feeding your horse extra supplements.
Your horse’s diet should be made up of mainly natural grasses, only adding concentrates if necessary, and then only adding supplements for any gaps in the diet that need to be filled.
Some supplements associated with coat care and conditioning include SA Trace, Fulvic, Honeyvale Herbs Fenushine, and Equisupreme Anabolik.
Other factors to consider
In South Africa we have seasonal rainfall (with the Cape usually getting winter rainfall and Gauteng summer rainfall). Wherever you may be, the seasonal change is likely to change your paddock soil and grazing a little bit, resulting in a slightly different intake in forage, which may affect your horse’s coat.
Metabolic changes can flare up during seasonal changes as well, so you may need to adjust your horse’s diet accordingly. Keep in mind that horses are creatures of habit, so any changes made should only be done if absolutely necessary and introduced slowly to avoid any upsets with the horse.
Allow your horse to adjust slowly to the heat and humidity changes. Exercise your horse early if the day is going to be unseasonably hot and/or humid, or in the late afternoons or evenings, so he can slowly adjust to the summertime temperature.
Seasonal change can require a little bit more maintenance, but with the right combination of care, grooming and diet, your horse is bound to look healthy, shiny and ready for summer.