6 Ways To Bring Out The Shine In Your Horse's Coat

It doesn't matter whether your horse dominates in the ring or you prefer casual trail riding, a shiny coat is something all horse owners should strive for. Horse shine not only looks amazing, it's also an outward sign that your horse is inwardly healthy. A shiny coat comes from proper nutrition, regular grooming, and some good old fashioned elbow grease on your part. It won't happen overnight, but it's completely possible to turn a dull-looking coat into a shining example of horse health and beauty.

If you've always been jealous of those riders at the barn with the exceptionally shiny horses, now's the time to start making some changes. With these tips, your horse's coat will look better than ever before. 

1. Curry, Curry, Curry

Bringing out the shine in your horse’s coat starts with the right kind of grooming. Giving your horse a nice, deep curry on a daily basis will stimulate blood circulation, lift dead hair and dirt from your horse’s coat, and promote the secretion of healthy oils in your horse’s coat. All of this culminates in a healthier, shinier coat.

The key here is finding the right curry comb. If you've been around horses for long enough, you know not all grooming tools are the same. There are so many different kinds of curry combs, and the quality of your tool will be a factor in your horse's shine. It's recommended to try out a few different kinds to find one that both you and your horse like. You'll be using it several times a week (if not every day), and finding a good one will be worth it.

2. Use a Coat Conditioner

You can't skip out on coat conditioner if you want the best horse shine. Similar to the conditioner you use in your own hair, horse conditioner is meant to moisturize and nourish hair follicles. It's a key ingredient in making hair soft, healthy, and shiny. But you can't just grab the bottle from your shower and use it on your horse. Horse conditioners are formulated with nutrients specifically suited for your horse's coat. 

There are a number of coat conditioners that you can use to add shine to your horse’s coat. When you choose a coat conditioner, avoid any which contains silicone, which will actually dry out your horse’s coat. You will also want to avoid applying coat conditioner directly to your horse’s saddle area, since it can make the hair slippery and cause your saddle to slide.

3. Use a Polishing Rag

When you finish grooming your horse, go over his coat with a soft polishing rag. This rag helps to bring the coat’s oils to the surface, while it also wipes away any last bits of dirt or dust. Change your polishing rag regularly. If you need to wash the rags, tossing them into the washing machine will leave them good as new again.

If you're about to step into the show ring, you can also use an oil-based coat-shine spray for an extra shiny boost. This is somewhat of a "quick fix," but the right product can help improve horse shine over time. It's also recommended to choose a spray that repels dust.

4. Examine Your Horse’s Diet

It's true that beauty starts from within. It doesn't matter how diligently you groom or how expensive your horse's conditioner is, a horse cannot grow a shiny coat if he isn’t receiving the nutrition that he needs. Every horse is different, and what works for one of your equine friends might not work for another. It's a good idea to talk with a vet to plan out a suitable diet for each of your horses.

To start, all horses need vitamins A, D, and E. Fats are also important to achieve the best horse shine. Sometimes the ideal diet can come from regular fresh forage, but you might need to add other elements to their daily meals. Examine your horse’s diet to make sure that he’s receiving adequate nutrition. With time, an improved diet will add an extra sheen to your horse's coat.

5. Try a Coat Supplement

There are special supplements intended to specifically bring out the shine in your horse’s coat. Adding one of these supplements to your horse’s diet can make a difference, but if you compete with your horse, pay special attention to the ingredients list on the supplement that you use. Some supplements contain ingredients which can cause a horse to drug test positive at horse shows.

We also need to point out that not every horse should receive supplements. Horse owners often get caught up in the idea of supplemental vitamins, but they end up wasting money on unnecessary products. Equimed tells horse owners that supplements can be beneficial if your horse is eating a low-quality forage, is working unusually hard, or eats mainly a high grain diet. Be sure to talk to your vet before giving your horse anything new.

6. Minimize Bathing

An occasional bath can be nice, since it’s a chance to give your horse a deep cleaning. However, shampoos actually strip the natural oils from your horse’s coat. Repeated bathing can leave your horse’s coat looking dull and dry. If you have to bathe your horse often for shows, then use a gentle shampoo and follow up with a coat conditioner.

As a general rule, you should only use horse shampoo when you need to remove stains from your horse's coat or address a harmful skin condition. If your horse is a big fan of rolling around in the mud, a thorough rinse with nothing but water could solve your problem. Daily spot cleaning can keep your horse looking good without stripping important oils from their coat. Be sure to pay attention to the weather to avoid rain rot and other types of infections.