Balancing Act

Does your horse have dry skin or a dull coat? Let his good health shine through by adding essential fatty acids to his diet.

When adding fats to your horse’s diet, it’s important to consider the source, because not all fats are created equal. All fats will help put a bloom on your horse’s coat, but some provide additional health benefits, while others may actually do more harm than good.

Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids are important to many vital functions in the body, but the proper balance is essential. Because Omega 6s support pro-inflammatory reactions, and Omega 3s support anti- inflammatory reactions, your horse should ideally be getting two to four times more Omega 3s than 6s.

In addition to fighting inflammation, in the skin and throughout the body, Omega 3 fatty acids are a key component in skin cell membranes. Supplementing with Omega 3s will support better health, inside and out.

Smarter Suds

Let your horse’s true colors shine through. Gallop Color- Enhancing Shampoos intensify color and shine for Bay, Black, Grey or Palomino/ Chestnut coats. For brighter whites, try Quic Silver, a customer favorite.

Black Beauty

Did you know there are supplements specifically designed to support horses with dark coats?

Blackenall contains Paprika, a spice rich in beta carotene, and believed to make coats richer and darker. SmartDark & Handsome combines Paprika with Nutmeg, another great source of beta carotene, also said to enhance dark coats.

Competitive riders should note that supplements containing Paprika may contain trace amounts of Capsaicin.

Tasty Sources of Omega 3s

Omega Horseshine contains stabilized Flax Seed, which has an ideal Omega 3:Omega 6 ratio of 4:1. Grand Coat and SmartShineare two customer favorites that contain a potent serving of these healthful fats. Made from a blend of Flax Seed, Rice Bran and Soybean Meal, horses love the taste of these cost-effective powders.

To take your horse’s coat to the next level, consider adding SmartShine Ultra. In addition to the blend of fat sources found in SmartShine, SmartShine Ultra contains Fish Oil. DHA and EPA, two Omega 3s found in Fish Oil, are known for their many proven health benefits throughout the body.

The Truth About Corn Oil

Corn oil has long been the answer for horse owners who want to add shine to their horse’s coat. But what looks like a healthful shine on the outside may actually be covering up some unhealthy changes going on within your horse. Corn oil contains about 70% Omega 6 fatty acids and virtually no Omega 3s. This Omega 6 overload can put your horse’s body in a chronic state of inflammation, which can have negative consequences on systems throughout the body, from the skin to the joints or even the lungs.

Twice as Nice

Covering up with a fly sheet that blocks UV rays will do double- duty when it comes to protecting your horse’s coat. Keeping the bugs at bay can help reduce inflammation and skin irritation caused by bothersome bites, while the SPF power will block out coat-fading UV rays.

But don’t worry, you don’t have to sacrifice style to get the protection you want! If you’re mad for plaid, check out the Kensington Protective Sheet. Built to last, these sheets block up to 73% of UV rays, come in five fun colors and have matching neck rugs available for head to tail coverage.

To block bugs and rays on a budget, check out the Amigo Flysheet. This super-soft, lightweight sheet boasts up to 95% UV protection and comes with a removable neck rug.