Black horse coat looking less than glossy and full?

Question

I have been taking care of my cousins little black bay gelding. He was not properly fed over the winter, and possibly for a good while before that. He has been at a new stable and getting proper care since March.

He is 24 years old and did not really shed out properly this spring, I ended up body clipping him.

His summer coat is just not glossy, it is rather dull and gray. I have washed him really well and am brushing him almost every day. He gets turn out everyday and of course rolls, but I have had a black bay before and her coat looked much better than what his currently does, even when she was really old.

Any suggestions for helping his coat to look better?

I would like to put him on a supplement, like trifecta, but we can't afford a expensive one currently. A inexpensive supplement, we could probably manage, something around $20 a month.

Suggestions, ideas?

Answer 1

they sell this suppliment its a powder i think and it enhances the color

Answer 2

I would cut back on the bathing. it strips the hair of its oil. I would also consider a supplement (talk to your vet) but I heard certain oils can help get a nice coat.

Answer 3

It might just be a copper deficiency. A deficiency in this mineral causes a lack of pigmentation in hair, wool and skin. Make sure your horse is getting the right amount and not too much(if you have to add copper be careful cause toxicity can cause liver failure or lysis of red blood cells.

Answer 4

Finally...a thread with helpful answers!!!

One other thought is a disease called Cushings that does occur in older hoses and keeps them with excess hair.

Also, good grooming habits and elbow grease is a must...I don't know how often you see him biut you did state that your brushing him ALMOST everyday.  If your lucky enough to see him everyday..h should be getting brushed and groomed daily..I gather he is stalled and let out daily..perhaps a lightweight turnout sheet when he is out in the sun would help too and even one while stalled too.  Black Oil Sunflower Seeds and flax seed are also good for getting a healthy coat.  

But at 24...some gray hair may be coming through and , well...... we all sort of don't look as good as we used too!!

Enjoy him and love him..and GROOM him...great way to get close to your buddy!!

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Do you suggest actual flax seeds? or flax seed oil?

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I would just go with the flax seed..i's cheaper and won't stick to the feed bucket.  You can even feed it by hand.  Also, the Black Oil Sunflower Seeds in addition to a shiny coat will also put weight on too.  

I just remembered his age...so I would make sure he is able to properly chew and digest the seeds..hmmm I wonder if the oil might be better...ask your trainer for their advise as they know him up close and personal as well as his condition.

Answer 5

Cushings came to my mind also. Contact the vet to confirm.

Also flax seed helps with coat condition. You may want to adjust his feed to a senior feed.

Here's a few links for you to read

http://www.alphahorse.com/equine-sunburn...

http://www.ehow.com/how_2157061_cook-fla...

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article...

http://www.enrecoanimalnutrition.com/ret...

http://www.valleyvet.com/skin-coat-overv...

I hope this helps

Answer 6

1 table spoon of calf manna every day and in a month he will shine like you can see yourself fresh grass helps put a nice shine if he hasnt been wormed regularly then he may need that every month for a couple of monthes not shedding is a sign of worms

Answer 7

I'd have a vet look at him.  His failure to shed out properly, along with a dull coat, can be a sign of a thyroid problem.

That being said, I'd watch how many hours he's spending out in the sun.  Some dark colored horses react more strongly to being bleached by the sun than others.  If it turns out to be a sun bleaching problem, you might be able to use a sunscreen shampoo/conditioner, or even a spray.  Some horses do have coats that are dulled by topical sprays like coat polishes and fly sprays.  Not that you can avoid putting fly spray on him, but you could maybe apply in the evening, rather than before he goes out in the sun.

Answer 8

It's the body clipping. During the early spring, when the winter coat is starting to come out and the summer coat is growing in, if you body clip it messes with the new summer coat growing back in. My friend did the same thing with her Fjord who WOULD NOT shed out (we live in southern ca. and in may he still had a four-inch coat) and all summer he looked a little dull.

If you curry him every day it might stimulate new hair growth, by the end of the summer he should have an all new coat and look shiney, and next summer he should shed out quicker and have a nicer coat because he will have been in better care and healthier.

Answer 9

Avoid any grooming products with sodium in it. Sodium removes the gloss and turns coats really dull.

I think the flax seed oil is better. Don't quote me on that one, though.

If you are thinking about bathing him, I would wet him down pretty well and curry him as much as you can while he is wet. You'll get a ton of dirt out and help remove some shedding hair. Then, wash him down again and scrub him with Palmolive. Then washing him down again and sweat scrap him as best as you can. Doing this 2-3 times a week will help.