Who hasn't experienced this? You're grooming your horse, the hair trickles out and you look like your horse did before the grooming. This means that the most beautiful time of the year has begun: the change of coat. For horses with stomach problems, the change of coat is a real feat of strength. Find out here how you can support your horse with targeted feeding.
Horses change their coat twice a year. The spring coat change usually begins in January after the winter solstice and the fall coat change begins in July. Much earlier than you thought?
The shedding process can be divided into four phases:
It is not the temperature that is largely responsible for the change of coat, but the amount of daylight. But how do horses know when to change their coat? Nature has cleverly arranged this. Horses perceive the changing length of daylight using their pineal gland.
Pineal gland - never heard of it? This hormonal gland, which we humans also have, is attached to the brain. The gland produces melatonin, a hormone which, among other things, controls the sleep-wake rhythm and thus also the change of coat. When the days get shorter from June onwards, the pineal gland gives the signal that winter is approaching and winter fur must be produced to protect against the cold.
The temperature only has an influence on coat density and length. Accordingly, robustly kept horses have a much thicker winter coat than stabled horses. In the fall, unlike during the spring shedding season, the hair is not shed as much as new undercoat is shed. This coat change is a real peak performance for the horse, which entails an increasing energy requirement that can be compensated for by an adapted diet.
Healthy horses generally cope well with the change of coat. However, if the supply of energy and nutrients needs to be increased during the colder months of the year, this is easier said than done for horses that are sensitive to metabolism and, above all, sensitive to their stomachs.
Mineral requirements increase during the shedding period. Copper, manganese, selenium and silicon are particularly important at this time. Zinc can also be helpful to support the skin and hair, as not only the skin but also mucous membranes such as the stomach lining are supported. Zinc helps the mucous membrane to regenerate after irritation. Magnesium and vitamin E also promote blood circulation in the skin.
If your horse is not sufficiently supplied with minerals, this can result in an immune deficiency. Influenza, respiratory diseases and herpes infections are particularly common during this time, but mumps and watery stools are also observed more frequently.
Herbs can be a valuable supplement to support shedding and digestion. Nettle is particularly rich in iron, calcium and vitamin C, which promotes blood circulation in the skin and supports the change of coat. Camomile and fennel have a calming effect on the gastrointestinal tract and can be helpful for horses with sensitive stomachs. Linseed provides important omega-3 fatty acids, which ensure a shiny coat and can have an anti-inflammatory effect.
It is particularly important for stomach patients to adjust feeding times. Instead of two large meals a day, it is advisable to divide them into four to six smaller portions. This helps to fill the stomach evenly and regulate acid production. In addition, sufficient roughage should always be available to ensure that the digestive tract is kept busy.
Intensify coat care
Intensive grooming is essential during the shedding period. Daily brushing and grooming for at least 15-20 minutes helps to remove loose hair and stimulates blood circulation in the skin. This not only promotes shedding, but also distributes the natural oils in the coat, resulting in a healthy shine. Special shedding brushes with soft, close-standing bristles are particularly effective.
Using blankets correctly
The targeted use of sweat rugs after training is particularly important in the fall. They help to slowly regulate the horse's body temperature and prevent colds. For horses that are sensitive to temperature changes, a light transition rug can also be useful during the day. However, make sure that the horse does not overheat, as this can affect the change of coat.
Adapted training program
During the change of coat, the horse's body needs additional energy. It may be advisable to reduce the intensity of training slightly so as not to overtax the body. Instead, more endurance sessions can be incorporated at a moderate intensity. This supports blood circulation and metabolism without putting too much strain on the body.
Sufficient exercise
Free exercise in the fresh air is essential for a healthy coat change. At least 4-6 hours of daily grazing or paddock time should be guaranteed. Natural exercise not only promotes blood circulation, but also stimulates the immune system and supports the horse's entire metabolism.
The change of coat requires a lot of energy, which you need to provide your horse with in addition. Simply increasing the proportion of concentrated feed does not make sense, as this is chewed less and therefore not salivated as intensively as hay, for example. The bicarbonate contained in saliva is the natural antagonist of stomach acid and acts as a buffer. Concentrated feed should therefore only be fed in moderation to horses with sensitive stomachs. As always, good quality hay is the basis, which should always be available to your horse as far as possible. Good quality hay provides the horse with energy and offers sufficient structure for healthy digestion. Especially when the horse can no longer cover its energy and crude fiber requirements with fresh grass in autumn.
Hair consists of keratin and your horse needs protein to produce this building material. Alfalfa is suitable as feed for horses with stomach ulcers, as its high calcium and magnesium content has a pH-neutralizing effect, which protects the stomach lining from irritation . The protein content of alfalfa is 16-20 % protein compared to 4-12 % for normal grasses.
Be careful with the form of administration
The particle size is crucial when feeding alfalfa. Sharp-edged alfalfa chaff can cause mechanical irritation in the gastrointestinal tract. It is therefore recommended to feed alfalfa in the form of pellets or extrudates, which are gentler on the digestive organs.
Be aware of possible side effects
It is important to note that alfalfa contains salicylic acid, the active ingredient in a well-known painkiller and anti-inflammatory. While this can have positive effects, salicylic acid in higher concentrations can also have an irritating effect on the mucous membranes. For this reason, alfalfa should be fed in moderation, taking individual tolerance into account.
In addition to a needs-based mineral feed, brewer's yeast can support your horse from the inside out. It is rich in amino acids that promote the production of skin and hair cells. Brewer's yeast also has a positive effect on intestinal health, as it stabilizes the intestinal flora and contributes to regeneration. 10 to 20 g of brewer's yeast per 100 kg of the horse's body weight, i.e. 60 to 120 g of brewer's yeast per day for a 600 kg horse, is recommended.
For stomach patients, it is advisable to support them during the coat change by feeding them oil, which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Oils provide energy without straining the stomach of sensitive horses. They form a protective layer of fat on the skin and a water-repellent lipid layer that coats the hair. Linseed oil is particularly suitable for horses. The oil should initially only be fed by the tablespoon and can be slowly increased to up to 50 ml per day.
Linseed is an alternative. They contain valuable ingredients for the horse and are rich in fiber and mucilage, which have a positive effect on the entire digestive tract. Their high content of unsaturated fatty acids provides horses, which are often weak during the coat change, with plenty of energy. The mucilage and fiber they contain also support the gastrointestinal tract.
Linseedalso strengthens the immune system and promotes the absorption of important minerals, which is particularly beneficial during the change of coat. You can feed 20 g per 100 kg body weight of horse per day. Linseed should always be boiled as it contains cyanogenic glucosides, a precursor of the toxic hydrocyanic acid. This acid is water-soluble and evaporates during boiling.
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The age of your horse, the breed, the way it is kept and also the weather can have an influence. Especially for old, sick or underfed horses, the change of coat means an enormous strain on the metabolism. The change of coat takes much longer, the coat can become dull and horses do not perform as well as usual. Remember that the change of coat does not just start when the hair falls out. If your horse shows such symptoms in August, the change of coat may already be the reason.
If a sudden drop in temperature occurs in the fall and your horse does not yet have enough winter coat, your horse may develop tension, which manifests itself in a lack of willingness to move and ligament and tendon problems. Unexpectedly warm days in the fall, on the other hand, can lead to cardiovascular problems, which particularly affect older horses. Colic is often the result.
In the event of sudden drops in temperature or for particularly sensitive horses, it may be advisable to temporarily cover them. This applies in particular to horses with stomach ulcers, as they often react more sensitively to stress and temperature changes. For detailed information on the right time to cover horses with stomach ulcers, we recommend our article: When should I start mating my horse with gastric ulcers?
Please note that shedding does not just begin when the hair starts to fall out visibly. If your horse is already showing symptoms such as tiredness or a dull coat in August, this may already be due to the onset of shedding. Closely observing your horse and adapting its care and feeding to its individual needs are the key to a smooth coat change.
The change of coat is a natural process that demands a lot from your horse every year. You have been able to read which feedstuffs can help your horse to get through the change of coat well. Of course, regular grooming also provides your horse with additional relief. If your horse is still losing its coat badly, you should consult a vet. In young horses, a lack of nutrients can delay the shedding process. In older horses, PPID(Pars Pituitary Intermedia Dysfunction; formerly known as Cushing's disease) is often the cause. A long, curly coat is a typical symptom of this metabolic disease.
You can find lots more information on feeding horses with stomach problems on our topic page Feeding horses with stomach problems.
Horses with stomach problems need additional support. It is important to know which feed is suitable for your horse and which should be avoided .