How to Make Your Horse's Coat Shine

A shiny coat is the sign of a healthy and happy horse. Dull horse coats can result from nutritional deficiencies in your horse's diet, from worms and parasites, and from a lack of regular grooming. Whether you have a show to prepare for or you just want your horse to have a healthy, beautiful coat every day, this can be assured with care and attention to your horse’s needs.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Washing and Grooming Your Horse

Before washing your horse, soak all brushes (including mane and tail brushes and combs) in warm water with a small amount of dishwashing detergent. Rinse well and let dry in the sun.
2
Groom your horse regularly. Salt from sweat may dull the coat's color and irritate skin if the horse is not groomed properly.^{[1]XResearch source} Brushing your horse removes dry skin and dead hairs while distributing oils throughout the coat.
- Use some elbow grease. Nothing replaces hard work. When you consistently care for your horse and tend to regular care, it shows.^{[2]XResearch source}
3
Keep baths to a minimum. Frequent soapy baths can leave the coat dry and dull and strip the natural oils.^{[3]XResearch source} While there's no "rule" to bathing frequency, know that a rinse can be useful for washing off sweat or dirt. Consider a bath before a show or if your horse is covered in mud.
- Monitor dandruff as one way to gauge an appropriate bathing schedule. Dandruff can be an indicator that you are bathing your horse either too frequently or not frequently enough. Without frequent and thorough bathing, horses commonly develop dandruff buildup. Excessive bathing can strip the natural oils of the coat and also lead to dandruff.
When bathing your horse, rinse as many times as necessary until no soap runs off, as soap residue can lead to a dull coat. Any residue can affect the horse's skin or damage the naturally occurring oils.
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Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Addressing Adequate Nutrition

Good nutrition includes adequate protein and fatty acids, depending on your horse's activity level and medical needs. Grazing horses need appropriate nutrition as well. Talk to your equine nutritionist to provide you with professional advice.^{[4]XResearch source}
Supplementing can be a great way to add additional nutrition to your horse's diet when used as directed. Discuss any deficiencies with your veterinarian and create a supplement plan. Common ingredients in skin supplements include Vitamin A, B vitamins, Biotin, Methionine, Lysine, Zinc, Fatty acids, Vitamin E.
A dull coat can stem from a deficiency in fatty acids such as Omega-3 and Omega-6 in your horse’s diet. Many people choose to add regular vegetable oil to the horse's diet. ^{[5]XResearch source} Use as directed.
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Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Assessing Your Horse's Health

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Determine whether your horse needs worming. Worms can cause your horse to experience rough and dull coat, lethargy, extended belly, and slowed growth in young horses.^{[6]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Association of Equine PractitionersNational organization with a mission of improving the health and welfare of horses and providing resources to people who work with them.Go to source} Pay attention to any of these symptoms and talk to your veterinarian to ward off parasites.
- Monitoring parasite eggs in the fecal count is the best way to detect parasites and worms. Your veterinarian can help you develop an effective deworming program to fit your horse's needs.
- Grazing horses experience less parasites than stabled horses due to less confined conditions. If you stable your horse, make sure clean conditions are maintained.^{[7]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Association of Equine PractitionersNational organization with a mission of improving the health and welfare of horses and providing resources to people who work with them.Go to source}
2
Assess for an underlying health condition. If your horse's coat condition has changed, it may be due to problems with health that may require medical attention from your veterinarian.
- A fungus infection may contribute to shedding matted or clumped hair. Some common symptoms of a fungus infection include weight loss, colic, diarrhea, and nasal drip.^{[8]XResearch source}
- Some glandular conditions can cause the skin to become dry, resulting in a dull, brittle hair coat. Discuss any concerns you have with your veterinarian.^{[9]XResearch source}
Allergies are unpleasant for the horse and can contribute to problems with the horse's coat. Talk to your veterinarian about ways to treat your horse's allergies.
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Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Showing Your Horse

Silicon enhances the look of the horse's coat. Carefully spray silicon everywhere except the saddle area. Coating the legs and tail will ensure that dirt will not stick. Additional products exist to enhance a coat's shine.
A dryer sheet will collect any last-minute dust around the face. Carefully brush the dryer sheet throughout the face with your hand, being careful to not displace any hair. Do this right before entering the warm-up ring.
Adding powder to the legs will help the legs stand out and can improve the overall appearance of the horse. Apply powder on show day.
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Expert Q&A

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Are there any other ways to make my horse's coat shine?
Douglas Havens
Equestrian Expert
Douglas Havens is an Equestrian Expert based in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania. Douglas is the Owner and CEO of Havens Hideout Ranch and has over 40 years of experience riding and training horses. He grew up on a cattle ranch working cows and horses and this experience evolved into a lifelong passion for training horses. He is part of the Wild Mustang training incentive program through BLM (Bureau of Land Management) and has trained over 10 horses through this program. He founded Havens Hideout Ranch to introduce the East to the West and share his love for horses and the Cowboy lifestyle with the residents of Pennsylvania. At Havens Hideout Ranch, Douglas offers a myriad of services, including guided western trail rides, private events and parties, horsemanship clinics, and more.
Douglas Havens
Equestrian Expert
Expert Answer
When it comes to enhancing the shine of my horses' coats, I emphasize a natural approach. While ensuring they receive essential nutrients through their diet, I prioritize their overall well-being by allowing them ample freedom to roam. To maintain their health, I address any nutritional gaps using natural methods. While I generally prefer a holistic approach, occasionally, if their coat lacks luster, I may administer supplements or nutrients to boost their vitality. It's worth noting that factors like regular grooming, a balanced diet, and proper hydration also play key roles in promoting a naturally vibrant and shiny coat for horses.
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Warnings

Use supplements as directed and do not overfeed supplements containing iodine or selenium as these can be toxic at high doses.
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Do not apply shine products near the saddle area or around reins as this causes them to become slippery.
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To avoid burning your horse, abstain from using oils near the eyes or muzzle on sunny days.
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