How to improve the health of your horse's coat:
Combating equine skin sensitivities
We all know there’s nothing worse than dry, itchy skin, it’s often hard to treat and causes extreme discomfort. Unlike humans, who have many options on the market for treatment, it can be hard to find a suitable solution for your horse's skin sensitivities. If you are struggling with finding a cure for your horse's skin issues, try these helpful tips to identify and treat the underlying problem.
But first, let’s look at what effect dry skin can have on your horse:
- Discomfort:
Dry skin can be itchy and uncomfortable for horses, causing them to rub, scratch, or bite at affected areas. - Hair Loss:
Persistent rubbing or biting of the area can result in hair loss and bald patches. - Increased chance of infection:
Dry, flaky skin can create openings in the skin barrier, making horses more vulnerable to bacterial or fungal infections. - Dull coat appearance:
Dry skin can be itchy and uncomfortable for horses, causing them to rub, scratch, or bite at affected areas. - Behavioural changes:
Dry skin can be itchy and uncomfortable for horses, causing them to rub, scratch, or bite at affected areas.
Considering the effects dry skin can have on your horse, it is essential to try and remedy the issue as quickly as possible.
There are several reasons a horse can develop skin sensitivity, but the main factors include:
Nutritional deficiencies:
Lack of essential fatty acids, vitamins, or minerals in the diet can lead to poor skin and coat health.
Parasites:
Both external parasites (like lice and mites) and internal parasites can cause dry, itchy skin and a dull coat.
Environmental factors:
Dry climates, cold winter air, and excessive bathing can strip the natural oils from a horse's skin.
Allergies:
Hypersensitivity to insect bites (like sweet itch) or other allergens can cause skin irritation and dryness.
Infections:
Fungal infections like ringworm or bacterial infections like rain rot can lead to dry, flaky skin
By assessing these factors, you can begin to improve the condition of your horse’s skin. However, some of these factors are harder to treat than others. Using products with a proven track record of success, asking your vet, or using natural remedies, can help resolve or lessen the issue.
Red Healer Equine Products
Tried everything and still finding crusting or flaxy skin? Try our new range of Red Healer Natural Canine & Equine products. They are made with natural, non-toxic ingredients and manufactured in Australia. By conducting constant trials and developments in equine skin products, Red Healer is a proven solution to stubborn skin irritation.
