How To Repair Dull Coat And Dry Skin In Horses

A sleek, shiny coat starts with healthy skin. Dry, flaky skin and a dull coat can get their luster back with the right grooming routine. But if your horse’s skin and coat remain dull and dry despite healthy grooming, it can be a sign of a underlying health issue. Parasites, infections, hormonal irregularities, and nutritional deficiencies are some of the most common reasons horses lose their shine.

Causes of Dry Skin in Horses
Your horse’s skin cells produce sebum, or natural oils that form a protective barrier over the surface of their skin. Sebum travels down the hair shaft to give your horse’s coat a natural luster. When your horse does not produce enough sebum, possibly due to health issues, moisture escapes more easily through the surface of the skin, leaving it dry, rough, and inelastic.
Parasites are a common cause of dull, unhealthy-looking skin in horses. External parasites like mites and lice can cause dry, itchy skin that may have scabs or raw spots. A heavy load of internal parasites in your horse’s gut can also be the culprit. Internal parasites deplete nutrients from your horse’s body, causing poor hair growth and dry, unnourished skin.
Horses with metabolic issues like Cushing’s disease and EMS are prone to a poor quality coat due to changes in hormone levels that affect sebum production and skin elasticity. Older horses and geldings can also suffer skin issues related to hormonal changes.
Certain infections also change the skin’s appearance. Crusty deposits in the ears may be aural plaques due to papilloma virus. Rain rot and ringworm cause bald, scaly patches anywhere on the body.
Sometimes, the horse’s skin cells will produce enough sebum, but it might be washed away with excessive bathing. Dry climates and cold winter air can also contribute to skin dryness in healthy horses.

Treating Dry Skin in Horses
Any unexplained changes in your horse’s skin and coat should be brought up with your veterinarian. If you suspect your horse has a skin infection, you’ll need to isolate them from other horses in case it is contagious.
If your horse has a clean bill of health and approval from your veterinarian, you can start them on a coat-building supplement. Omega-3 fatty acids help balance sebum production, relieve dryness, and reduce itching and inflammation. They also benefit your horse’s joint, heart, immune, and cognitive health. You can supplement omega-3 fatty acids in your horse’s diet by adding flaxseeds, fish oil, or a joint supplement like ArthriSoothe Gold or Phycox.
Dry skin can be a sign that you’re bathing your horse too often, especially in the winter. Bathe no more than every two weeks, and as infrequently as monthly. Some horses benefit from skipping baths through winter.
When you do wash your horse, use a conditioning, moisturizing shampoo like Mane 'n Tail Pro-Tect or Zymox Skin and Coat Wash to soothe itching and fight infection. You can follow up with EQyss Mega-Tek Equine Rebuilder and condition between baths with EQyss Micro-Tek Equine Spray.
Between baths, brush daily, or at least three times per week. Brushing with a rubber curry comb or silicone brush increases circulation, promoting skin healing and stimulating sebum production. Full-body brushing helps the skin’s natural oils travel down the hair shaft, leaving the coat smooth and silky. You can also brush to remove dirt and debris that may be dulling your horse’s shine.
Keep in mind that it can take anywhere from two weeks to eight months to see significant improvements in your horse’s skin and coat quality. If your horse’s appearance does not improve, or you notice other symptoms like itching or hair loss, make an appointment with your veterinarian.