Dull Horse Coat: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment (2023)

If you are a horse owner, then the dull coat of your horse will be the most annoying and concerning thing for you. It will not only give a very unpleasant look to the equine, but it is also a lousy health indicator.

If your equine gets enough feed in its diet or needs to be balanced, it will result in a dull coat. Dehydration is another reason for the dull coat in horses, so if you are experiencing such a condition in your equine, read this article thoroughly. Here we will discuss the symptoms, causes, and treatment of a dull coat in horses.

What is a Dull Coat Problem in Horses?

The dull coat is a common problem most horses face if they are not getting an adequate and balanced diet. If you provide low-quality feed to your horse, it may result in a dull coat. Chronic diseases are also responsible for dull coats in horses, so it is better to monitor the physical health of your equine closely to get rid of any dull coat issues.

Skin issues, inadequate grooming, and deficiency of proper nutrition are some significant causes of dull coats in equine. An unhealthy coat will look rough with patches of missing hair. So it will result in bad health of your equine and poor performance.

Horse Dull Coat Patterns and Changes:

Horse coat patterns and changes mainly vary among all horses, but unfortunately, most horses have to experience dull coats where they experience many changes in the coat. Due to the deficiency of copper in the body of horses, there is a significant change in the horse’s coat, and it becomes less shiny.

Dryness, brittle coats, and dull color will appear if your equine faces coat issues. Age is another factor that can lead to many changes in the color and pattern of coats of horses. Still, if you supply a balanced diet and abundant water to your equine, you can overcome this situation.

Symptoms of Dull Coat:

A dull coat of equine is considered one of the biggest problems you should diagnose and address initially.

Following are the few symptoms of dull coat in horses that you should not ignore at any stage to ensure your equine’s proper health.

1. Excessive Shedding:

The winter coats of horses start shedding when hours of daylight increase, but it is a natural process, so you don’t have to worry about it. If your horse is experiencing excessive shedding, then it is an alarming situation and one of the most common symptoms of-a dull coat.

2. Dull Color:

If your horse is not getting enough zinc in its diet, it will lead to the dull color of the coat because a balanced diet is necessary for the shine of the coat. Parasites and illness are also the causes of the dull color of coats in equine, so you should address these issues timely.

3. Skin Irritation:

Skin irritation occurs due to allergy or infection, which will result in bad health of the coat. So if your horse is showing any irritation in its skin, you should immediately consult a vet for proper diagnosis and treatment.

4. Dandruff:

Horses can experience flaking skin due to dandruff in their coat, another common symptom of dull coats in horses. Allergies and insect bites can also lead to dandruff in the coat of horses.

5. Hair Discoloration:

Hair discoloration is a visible symptom of dull coat in horses, and it is due to a deficiency of minerals and zinc in the body iron that leads to this adverse condition.

6. Bald Spots:

Bald spots result from hair loss in horses, and the main reason behind it is environment and temperature. If your equine faces such a condition, it may be due to a dull coat.

7. The slow growth of the coat:

Coats of horses grow significantly in different seasons, and it is normal. But if your equine faces dull coat issues, it will lead to slow coat growth.

Causes of Dull Coat:

There are numerous causes behind the dull coat of equine, so some significant reasons are below.

1. Poor Nutrition:

A balanced diet is necessary for horses to maintain their coats at an ideal level. So if your equine lacks essential minerals, vitamins, and protein in its diet, then it will lead to a poor coat.

2. Allergies:

Allergies also cause poor coat health in horses, as they will lead to patchy and dull coats.

3. Stress:

Stress leads to many issues in horses, including intolerance and dull coat. This stress can be due to environmental or psychological factors.

4. Lack of Exercise:

Exercise is essential for horses, so if your equine is reluctant to exercise or not exercising regularly, it can cause a dull coat.

5. Dehydration:

Horses need abundant water, so dehydration also results in poor coat health.

6. Skin Infections:

Many skin infections lead to dull coats of horses. These skin infections include mud fever, ringworm, summer sores, sweet itch, etc.

7. Aging:

Aging is a natural process in horses that leads to many serious health concerns. Due to aging, oil production decreases in the body of horses, leading to dull coats.

8. Heat or Cold Exposure:

Suppose your horse is living in an environment where it has to face excessive heat and cold. It will result in slow and lousy growth of the coat.

Treatment:

1. Balanced Diet:

The first and primary step for the treatment of dull coats in horses is to ensure that your equine is receiving a balanced diet that has a sufficient amount of vitamins, minerals, and protein in it. Consult with your veteran for the best diet plan necessary for a healthy coat’s growth.

2. Inclusion of Natural Supplements in the Diet of Equine:

Natural supplements are the best way to ensure a healthy equine coat as they contain all the necessary ingredients. Following are the best natural supplements you can add to your horse’s diet to support its coat health.

3. Equinety Horse XL:

Equinety Horse XL is a natural nutritional supplement specially designed to improve the coat health of equine because it is in one formula to provide essential nutrients. It combines vitamins, minerals, and essential amino acids to maintain a healthy coat.

This product will also support overall health and wellness in horses for getting healthy skin, coats, and immune systems. It also solves digestion issues and boosts the energy level that is essential for the proper growth of the coat.

4. Equinety Ultimate OEC:

Equinety Ultimate OEC is another fantastic and natural product specially designed to support the coat of horses. It helps gastric health and boosts immune function to get healthier skin and coat.

This product contains flaxseed-based omega-3 oil, colloidal silver, and natural vitamin E to repair cells and supports the growth of the coat. It will provide the body of your equine with what it requires, so you will get excellent results after using this product.

FAQ’s:

Why is my horse’s coat so greasy?

There are many causes behind the greasy coat on a horse, so the first and foremost cause is an unbalanced diet and the exclusion of natural supplements like Equinety Horse XL and Equinety Ultimate OEC in horses’ diets. Environmental factors, allergies, and diseases are also some reasons for greasy coats.

Horse Winter Coat vs. Summer Coat:

The winter coat of a horse is thicker and heavier as it keeps the horse insulated and warm in cold weather, whereas the summer coat of a horse is lighter to keep the horse comfortable in warmer temperatures.

Horse Growing Winter Coat in Summer:

Horses may grow a thicker coat in summer if the climate is cool. It helps the horse regulate its body temperature and keeps it warm when it drops.