Beauty That's More Than Skin Deep

skin-deep

Your horse’s skin and coat form an important protective barrier against bacteria and infections. If his coat is short on shine, that could be an indication that his skin isn’t as healthy as it should be. Adding a high quality skin and coat supplement to his diet isn’t just a great way to boost his good looks, it’s an investment in his good health.

Fat Facts

To get a glossy coat, add essential fatty acids to optimize skin health. When comparing fat-based supplements, it’s important to consider the source, because not all fats are created equal. While any type of fat will help with dry skin by increasing oil production, some supply even greater health benefits.

More 3s, Please

Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids support many vital functions in your horse’s body. He needs both to stay healthy, but the proper balance is essential. Because Omega 6s support pro-inflammatory reactions, and Omega 3s support anti-inflammatory reactions, you want to make sure the balance isn’t skewed towards the Omega 6s. In fact, your horse should ideally be getting two to four times more Omega 3s than 6s in his diet.

In addition to fighting inflammation, in the skin and throughout the body, Omega 3 fatty acids are a key component in skin cell membranes. Supplying your horse with Omega 3s will promote healthier, more resilient skin, addressing dryness and boosting your horse’s shine.

Flax Fix

Flax Seed is a leading ingredient in our favorite skin and coat formulas, and for good reason! Besides being one of the best plant sources of Omega 3 fatty acids, most horses love the taste of flax. To supplement your horse with this ultra-healthy ingredient, choose Omega Horseshine or SmartShine.

Rice is Nice

Rice Bran is rich in fat, protein and fiber, as well as B Vitamins, Vitamin E and minerals. Grand Coat blends this ultra-tasty fat source with Flax Seed to support superior shine.

Go Fish

Fish Oil is also rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, specifically EPA and DHA, which are known for their many proven health benefits. EPA has been shown to be healthful for kidneys, the heart and arthritis in humans. DHA has been shown to improve brain function in dogs and support reproductive ability in stallions. SmartShine Ultra is an easy way to add both Flax Seed and Fish Oil to your horse’s diet.

Winter Woes

Winter isn’t just tough on your skin, it’s rough on your horse’s, too. If you’re battling blanket rubs, rain rot or fungus, try a topical product in addition to your skin and coat supplement. Customer favorites include Eqyss MicroTek and Shapley’s Original M-T-G.

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Comment by SmartPak Equine on February 23, 2012 at 5:15pm: Hi Marlene, thanks for reading our blog and sharing your feedback! We always have horses’ and riders’ best interest at heart, and would never recommend a product we didn’t feel was safe and beneficial. In general, animal feeds fall under the jurisdiction of AAFCO, the American Animal Feed Control Officials, which regulate on a state-by-state basis. In addition, rice bran is commonly used in supplements for both humans and horses and we are not aware of any research indicating it contains toxic levels of arsenic. That having been said, you can’t guarantee that every manufacturer is going to hold themselves to the highest quality standards (in this or any other industry). That’s why we always recommend doing a little research and choosing a quality brand that performs regular testing for ingredient purity.

Comment by Marlene Thoms on February 22, 2012 at 10:51am: Rice is not that nice. Rice bran has levels of arsenic 10-20 times allowable for human consumption. Unfortunately there are virually no regulations regarding animal feeds. They are a handy place to put fillers contaminated with carcinogens like arsenic however.