Oil and silicon make a horse shine

Did you know that when horses shine from being given oil, it is because their body cannot get rid of the excess fat and it will secrete it through the skin as a temporary solution? Therefore, never give more than 50-75 ml of oil per day, divided into multiple portions. Horses that are fed oil will automatically shine more. The fats ensure a more oily skin, which makes the coat slightly oilier and shiny. The shine a horse gets from being fed oil does not come from the oil significantly improving the resistance and health, causing the horse to shine.

Not only does oil make a horse shine, but the mineral silicon also contributes to healthier skin and coat. We often hear from customers that their horse has started shining so beautifully since being fed silicon. This is because silicon strengthens the firmness of the coat. A nice side effect of the mineral, but this shine also does not say anything about the overall health of the horse.

A duller coat does not always mean a less healthy horse

Some horses have more skin oil than others, also recognizable by the gray "dust" between and on the coat. Especially in the winter period, you can see that many horses are a bit duller because of this. But does this "dull coat" mean that these horses with a duller coat have a poorer health? No, not for these horses with more skin oil. A dull coat therefore does not always mean that the horse has reduced resistance. However, a dull coat of some conditions is a consequence. If the coat is duller than normal or if you are not familiar with a dull coat in your horse, it is always advisable to have a therapist check the diet and condition.

It may be that horses are a bit dull for other reasons. It may be that they have had a little dip before or that this is just part of this horse. Just like people, every horse is different, some horses naturally have a lot of shine and some horses have less. Horses that are washed/brushed less will also have less visible shine.

Look beyond the shine!

Do not focus solely on the shine of your horse's coat. One horse shines more than the other and this is mainly very nutrition-related. Horses that, for example, get a diet rich in fat will naturally shine more. And a horse that lives outside without a blanket and shines less does not automatically have a poorer health.

Therefore, always look beyond the coat, it can be a guideline, but the health of the horse really comes from the intestines. Ensure the right nutrition and living conditions. By removing all stress factors, you ensure optimal health. A shiny coat can be a guideline, but it is more important to look at the overall expression of the horse. Also check the manure, does the horse have enough energy, and does it have a happy expression. These signals provide more information about the overall health of the horse.

Tip: if your horse spends a lot of time outside without a blanket, be careful with anti-tangle and shine sprays. These products remove grease, causing your horse to lose its natural oil layer. The mane, tail, and coat are then less resistant to rain, making your horse more likely to get cold. Especially for horses that are blanketless in the winter, this can cause the rain to reach the skin and horses to get chilled.