There are four factors that add up to a healthy and radiant horse: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The skin is a horse’s largest organ and serves to protect. Skin consists of water, proteins, fats, and minerals. The skin consists of two layers: the stratum corneum and the corium. The pH is determined by the skin\u2019s topmost layer. Your horse\u2019s skin is an important factor in its natural defences. It protects against heat and cold as well as against bacteria and other harmful invaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our skin has a natural acidity of 4.0\u20135.5. The pH of equine skin is 7.0\u20137.4. That\u2019s why it\u2019s important that the pH \u2013 neutral in the case of a horse \u2013 not be unbalanced in order to avoid infections. Products with a low pH, such as shampoos made for humans, have a hydrophilic nature. They attract moisture and dehydrate the horse’s skin, causing it to become dry and flaky. Products with a high pH are hydrophobic; they affect the natural sebum layer, disrupting the skin\u2019s microflora.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Like human skin, equine skin is not sterile. It is a breeding ground for microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. These have an important function: together with the skin barrier, they repel unwelcome substances. So they help to protect the skin naturally, and, in turn, the rest of the body. They also further prevent colonisation of pathogens, also known as bad bacteria. The microbiome plays an important development in wound healing. If the microbiome is brought out of balance, this increases the chance of skin diseases and infections. The cause can be due to an unsuitable shampoo, disinfectant, or excessive antibiotic use, for example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A well-balanced diet has more influence on a healthy coat than you might think. Deficiencies can result in poor skin and hair quality. This is because skin and hair need building materials to grow and repair. Diet changes can cause reactions in the skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Giving your horse a balanced ration may sound obvious. But that often looks differently in practice. When we talk about balanced nutrition, we mean:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A word about those vitamins and minerals. Horses do not get enough vitamins and minerals from forage alone. They need to get them via a supplement or concentrate feed. Indeed, this can have quite an impact on a horse\u2019s skin and hair as well as its general health. The copper-to-zinc and copper-to-iron ratios affect pigment and thus coat colour. In addition, there are many more minerals and trace elements that interact with one another. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies almost always lead to health issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gut flora disturbances can cause the coat to become dull. The microflora in the bowel interacts with many systems in the body. One of these is the immune system, a complex system that ensures the horse is (and stays) in good health. Without healthy microflora, it is virtually impossible to keep your horse healthy and radiant. Forage is key here too, due to the fibre the horse consumes. Pre- and probiotics can positively influence equine (as well as human) microflora.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Frequent travel, contact with many different, unfamiliar horses, exposure to different environments. All this affects a horse’s mental health. A certain amount of stress is not harmful for a horse; in fact, a small amount of stress is necessary for performance. But mental balance is one of the most important factors of equine health. For a healthy, radiant horse. So avoid subjecting your horse to stressful situations as much as you can, ensure adequate contact with other horses, and makes sure he gets plenty of exercise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A healthy gut flora, a balanced feed ration and sufficient exercise are the three ingredients for a healthy horse. And a healthy horse will radiate good health!<\/p>\n\n\n\n