Like us, our horse's skin and health can be affected by the weather. In winter horses can suffer from dry skin from the elements and the cold dry air can lead to delayed tissue healing.
Horses can also suffer far more varied issues like, mud fever, rain scald, rug rubs, and fungal infections. So, how can we help?
Winter horse care: clipping and trimming
There are pros and cons to weigh up when we decide if and how much hair to clip off our horse. For horses in good health with plentiful grazing, good shelter and at rest or in light work there is generally no need to clip.
Their hair provides a natural barrier to the winter elements and keeps them cosy and warm. However for most of us, we use rugs, end up with poached gateways and have sweaty horses from riding, so clipping off at least some hair has many benefits.
Short hair dries much faster, meaning that the risk of bacterial overgrowth is decreased. In a warm and damp environment, the natural bacteria on the horse's skin can invade the surface layer, leading to infections.
Clipping your horse in winter
Clipping can also be helpful for horses with Cushing, as they can produce so much coat in the winter, that they sweat even stood in a field. It is also worth considering clipping horses that are particularly good-doers, grow big heavy coats, and need to use up a few fat resources for weight loss.
Consider leaving on the hair over the horses’ back, to keep them from getting a chill, unless they are in hard work, like jumpers, racehorses, or hunters.
The same goes for clipping feathers, if you have good ground then leave them on, they can stop the mud getting to the horse’s skin however once the wet gets thought to the skin, cutting some feathers off can make a huge difference in helping maintain skin condition and preventing issues taking hold.
Trimming hair also makes any creams and lotions more effective, as you can work them into the skin.
Grooming your horses in winter
Most horses love to be brushed, regular brushing helps stimulate circulation and promote skin health.
Winter can make horses more susceptible to skin conditions, especially if their coat stays damp for too long. Whilst brushing, check for bald spots, sores or irritated skin.
Winter supplements for horses
For horses prone to issues in the winter months, there are some great supplements on the market, that can help support the skin's integrity and defences against the elements.
Look for those containing herbs like linseed, seaweed, brewer’s yeast, echinacea, garlic, liquorice and calendula. These herbs combined supply essential fatty acids and amino acids and vitamins for keratin production, boost overall immune response and help support cell renewal and regrowth of hair and skin.
Rubs and infections
The amount of time our horse spends in rugs during the winter is bound to increase the risk of rubs.
Clipping also makes our horses far more sensitive to rubbing. At least two well-fitting rugs, one to wear and one to dry can be helpful. Watch our Rugging tips video to ensure you get a good fit and make sure you take your horses rug off daily to check your horse for any cuts, scrapes, or rubs.
Trouble areas to watch for are the shoulders and the withers. For any light rubs (where the hair is just a little thin) from rugs, tack or even our boots rubbing their sides when riding, aloe vera rich lotions like Hilton Herbs Ezee Arnica are great.
If you notice any rubbing over the wither, it is wise to change the design of the rug your horse wears and pop some cream on the abraded area to reduce the chance of infection.
If you do have any further concerns about your horse’s skin health please do contact us at the Helpline at Hilton herbs, (link to contact us page) we are happy to help. In an emergency or in the case of infection please do consult with your vet to bring your horse the comfort it needs.
Our product suggestions
Mud Defender for horses, ponies and donkeys is formulated to maintain and support:
- a natural resistance to mud-dwelling bacteria (field trialled over the winter of 2013/2014 in the UK, France & the USA with great success)
- supply the Essential Fatty Acids Omega 3 & 6 required to support the skin's epidermal layers integrity, strength and condition
- the amino acids required for Keratin production that forms the first line of defence in skin and hair
- the Zinc and Vitamin B requirements to help synthesise Keratin production
- the body's overall immune response
- cell renewal and regrowth of skin and hair
- healthy skin and coat condition
Mud Defender is a dry supplement containing herbs such as echinacea, calendula and garlic to help horses and ponies maintain a natural resistance to mud-dwelling bacteria and support healthy coat and skin.
Successfully field trialled, Mud Defender Supplement can be used alongside our Mud Defender Lotion for optimum benefits.