We all want our horses to shine, no matter if they are going into the show ring or not. A shiny coat not only looks beautiful, but it shows if your horse is getting the correct nutrition. Here are some tips of how you can get a gleaming coat on your horse.
Brush daily
I cannot stress how important it is to brush your horse every single day. Brushing your horse is a great bonding technique and it also helps remove dust and dirt from your horse’s fur. Using a curry comb will loosen up dirt, and then you can use a body brush to finish off your grooming routine.
Use a shedding blade
After the winter months are over, it is time to reveal the ultimate shine and slickness to your horse’s coat. Use a shedding blade or similar tool to help remove the winter coat. I recommend the SleekEZ tool or the StripHair groomer. Head here to get a discount on the StripHair Gentle Groomer.
Use a lycra hood
Lycra hoods are made to keep your horse clean while in a stall. A lycra hood is an easy way to keep the braids in your horse's mane or keep your horse clean before a show. You also can use a sheet over the lycra hood to keep your horse's whole body clean. You can find many fun patterns and colors of lycra hoods at Ranch Dress'n.
Look at diet
As with hoof health, shine comes from the inside out. Make sure that your horse has a balanced diet and is getting all the minerals and nutrients it needs. If your horse is not meeting the requirements for Vitamin A and E or other nutrients, there are also many skin and coat supplements on the market. When looking at supplements, look for key ingredients like omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, biotin, and flax seeds.
Bathe your horse
In the warmer months, bathe your horse every few weeks to get a shiny coat. Try not to bathe your horse so often to where it will cause your horse to have dry skin and strip your horse of its natural oils. When bathing, be sure to use a shampoo that is made specifically for horses and not for humans. I highly recommend using something natural, such as Espana Silk natural protein shampoo.
Protect your horse’s coat from the sun
If you want to protect your horse’s coat from the UV rays, you can consider purchasing a fly sheet. Fly sheets will not only protect your horse's coat from the sun, but also keep flies from biting your horse.
Use products that promote a shinier and healthier coat
A simple and easy way to enhance the shine of your horse’s coat is to use products that condition and polish the coat. Try to stay away from products that have a lot of chemicals. I use products like these on my horse twice a week. If you want maximum shine, use products after bathing your horse.
Two of my favorite moisturizing products are Eqyss Marigold spray and Espana Silk Natural Protein Detangler/Protectant Spray. Eqyss Marigold spray is a great natural option that moisturizes the skin and coat while leaving your horse smelling great. The Espana Silk protectant spray makes your horse’s coat shine and leaves your horse very silky and soft. This protectant spray also repels dirt and dust.
Winter Grooming
Winter temperatures make it harder to keep your horse clean since you cannot bathe your horse. That doesn't mean you can't have a shiny horse in the winter though! A favorite product I love to use for winter bathing is Espana Silk Natural Waterless Shampoo. This waterless shampoo works great for getting rid of dirt and dust, leaving your horse soft and shiny.
With all these tips, you can ensure that your horse has a shiny coat and will be gleaming both on the trail and in the show ring. Do you have another method to getting your horse's coat to shine? Leave it in the comments below!
Discolsure: I participate in the Ranch Dress'n affiliate program and may make a comission at no extra cost to you.
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