QUESTION:

Do horses need anything special now that they are shedding?

ANSWER:

It's the light that controls when a horse grows new coat and sheds the old one. The actual formation of the coat requires extra energy, protein, and other nutrients. The coat is composed of 90% protein, and the body prioritizes coat growth over muscle development.

Already around the turn of the year, the summer coat begins to form, and it's essential to ensure the horse has sufficient nutrients by reviewing their diet. During shedding, many horses may appear slightly subdued, have dull coats, and might become tender and ticklish on the skin.

Traditionally, B vitamins are used to facilitate the shedding process. Normally, horses produce B vitamins in the large intestine through the work of microorganisms, but at times, additional supplementation may be needed to support this process. Shedding is one such occasion. B vitamins are water-soluble and need to be administered daily.

Discover our two B vitamin products: B-Vitamin Total in powder form and B-Feeder, which is liquid. It may also be appropriate to give, for example, Diamond V, a yeast culture that serves as nutrition for the microorganisms in the large intestine.

Another tip is to wash the horse frequently to help keep the skin clean, which can reduce irritation and "ticklishness." Also, review the overall vitamin balance, as late winter is a time when horses have had less access to the vitamins they get from sunlight and grass.