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Dull coat to shiny coat?

11K views 17 replies 15 participants last post by  QOS 
#1 ·
Hey guys! Does anyone have any tips on getting a horse's dull, winter coat to have more shine in it? I have a friend who has a horse that she's taking to a horse show at the end of the month, but his coat was looking a little dull, so I wanted to give her some suggestions on what she could do to make it a bit more presentable. He's definitely in pasture condition, and rarely has a blanket on so after a good bath he should look a lot better. But does anyone have any good recommendations for topical products (like shampoos/conditions) that are really good at bringing the luster back into the coat? Thanks a lot! If it helps he's a medium colored chestnut. Does anyone know how to make a chestnut coat really stand out in the show ring? Thanks for your help! I look forward to your responses. :)
 
#2 ·
Winter coats are not supposed to look shiny and good. Good coat condition doesn't just happen over night. A wash won't fix it. He needs to be rugged ect... To make my mares coat nice, she is rugged, groomed nearly every day. I start trimming about 1 month before the show and start to hood her and make her coat nice. I also feed her coat and hoof conditioner. It helps and strengthens hooves as well, which is a bonus.
 
#3 ·
Going to disagree with PintoTess here and say that a winter coat can and should still look shiny and healthy. It comes from proper nutrition and good old fashioned grooming.
 
#8 ·
Flax takes about a month to put shine in the coat. I didn't know winter coats aren't supposed to be shiney. My two, a black and a bay are shiney and dappled in their long woolies and they basically live outside. All they are getting is timothy hay, loose salt, and water.
 
#9 ·
Okay cool thanks for the suggestions! I'll definitely pass them along. I think a lot has to do with the fact that he is just so dirty and dusty. I think all that dirt and grime is just making it look dull. Does anyone have suggestions of a really good shampoo or conditioner that can really get all the grime out of the coat? He looks like a walking dust cloud at the moment. I know about the oils, and I think I will tell her to start supplementing with some corn oil. Thanks a lot! :)
 
#10 ·
Ok what I said, I missworded it lol :D I have a habit of doind that. What I meant was, unlike the summer coat, it is long and fluffy so doesn't look as good as the summer coat.

Sorry guys! lol
 
#14 ·
I swear by flax seed. We do a 1/2 cup per day and wow... Its cheap, it's easy, and it has a great shelf life. Not to mention the colic protection and hoof benefits. The omega 3 simulates the omega 3 horses would normally get from fresh green grass.

The only downside is they may not like to eat it! If that's the case "omega horseshine" supplement is nearly 100% pelletized flax, but its more expensive.

If you insist on just topical shine, forget the products until show day. Get a nice gentle curry brush and curry every day!

A previous poster is right too! Its winter and they're all furry! Its warmer where I am so my guys still shiny (avatars from Christmas) but you may have to wait til it warms up to get an intense shine!
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#17 ·
My BO taught me a really interesting old school trick that doesn't use any products. You take the palm of your hand and press firmly and stroke in the direction of the coat (kinda like a brush). This supposedly draws the natural oils (and oils from your hand) to the surface and brings out a natural sheen. I tried it on Lilly and it actually really worked!
 
#18 ·
Sarge generally always has a super shiny coat. His coat was looking a little bedraggled and so was he. I had him tube wormed in January and his sparkle and shine is back. Biscuit's hair was dull when I got him almost 4 months ago. Now his hair is glistening even though his woolies and OMG does he have a heavy coat on his midsection. He is shedding like crazy.

They are fed Safe Choice twice a day with free choice hay and are turned out in a 2 or 3 acre pasture. No supplements - just good nutrition. Loads of grooming. Biscuit is a light palomino and at this moment is pretty darn dirty...can't wait to clean him up and see what he looks like clean!
 
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