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  Discussion on Supplement for Dry Skin?
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Posted on Monday, Jan 21, 2002 - 12:41 pm:

Besides currying and currrying and currying some more, what to you-all do out there to get rid of the dry-flakies? Do you feed anything special? Maybe flax seed?

Posted on Monday, Jan 21, 2002 - 12:52 pm:

I put my horses on Super 14 - the first week of every month. Seems to work fine and I don't have to worry about them getting that much fat all the time.
Cheryl

Posted on Monday, Jan 21, 2002 - 1:32 pm:

Joni, When I bought one of my horses, his coat was very dull, dry and flakey. (The previous owner thinks most people (especially women) coddle horses too much!) I bought some Farnum Super 14 and within a week there was a very noticeable improvement. I no longer need to use it as his current feed seems to keep his coat in good condition but I'd definitely buy it again should the need arise. Good Luck! -Karen

Posted on Monday, Jan 21, 2002 - 2:04 pm:

Here is a second option to the Super 14…..(and possibly less expensive??)
I have had good results from feeding extruded soybean oil. It contains lecithan and vitamin E. Although my mare did not have dry skin, she had a very dry tailbone that had flakes of dead skin that must have itched terribly. She rubbed a large chunk of her tail out around this time last year. I began feeding the soy oil a year ago and have loved the results. Her coat is soft and glossy and her tail has not itched her this year. Also, the new tail hair seems to be growing out quicker and thicker. An added benefit is that it keeps weight on her this time of year when she tends to become a hard keeper. I just up the oil instead of the grain. I feed two ounces am and pm squirted on top of her feed. The product is called “Natural Shine” and we use the apple flavor. My mare loves the taste and will lap it “straight up” if I squirt it into her feed pail. It is under $10/gallon.
Just my two cents. It is always interesting to me to know what works for other people.
https://www.ensoy.com

Posted on Monday, Jan 21, 2002 - 2:21 pm:

All our horses get as a coat/skin supplement is a little flax ground up in a coffee grinder each day. They have gorgeous coats.

Posted on Monday, Jan 21, 2002 - 5:25 pm:

I sure wouldn't worry about adding 'that much' fat to a horse's diet. Adding fat to a horse's diet is a GOOD thing, not like for humans.

Posted on Monday, Jan 21, 2002 - 5:53 pm:

When you have a horse that takes a deep breath and gains 50 pouunds, you worry about anything remotely resembling a calorie. ;)
Cheryl

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 22, 2002 - 9:40 am:

I agree with Cheryl. I've been down that road with my horse who is an exceptionally easy keeper. I have to be extremely diligent about his diet or I have a "fat" horse on my hands, which in my opinion, is NOT a good thing, just like it's not a good thing for humans. There are many diseases and complications associated with overweight horses. Some horses will benefit by having fat added to their diet, others definitely don't need it.

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 22, 2002 - 9:32 pm:

Oil is the cheapest and easiest way to help out the skin/hair when it doesn't seem to be a matter of nutrition. I think ALL horses benefit from having added fat. How many people are feeding 5+ pounds of grain a day and have "fat" horses, when in reality they could cut the grain in 1/2, add oil, and have a fuller, healthier, and fitter horse. Adding fat, and reducing the soluble starches can actually cause the horse to lose weight. Yes,there are horses who get plenty of hay, and barely any grain, but even adding 1tablespoon of oil can benefit the skin and coat.

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 23, 2002 - 8:54 am:

I strongly disagree Jordana. Though you are right that many horses benefit from added fat, particularly those who are on high grain diets, it is contraindicated in the horse that cannot be allowed any grain without obesity resulting. The problem with these horses is getting adequate amounts of the other nutrients like proteins, minerals, and vitamins. Every calorie added that is empty of other nutrients robs these horses of other essential nutrients. I see horses like this every day.
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 23, 2002 - 9:23 pm:

It seems to me that this discussion is ignoring the working status of the horse. One shouldn't feed a horse more concentrate (read grains, sweet feed, etc.) than is required for its digestestible energy needs. If you want to increase skin oils (hence more shine and less flakiness) 2-4 tablespoons of oil will only make a difference if the rest of the diet is complete to the horses energy needs. Just adding oil as a fat supplement doesn't seem right because it is completely bereft of other nutritional quality. My first choice as a fat/oil supplement given that all the other elements of nutritional balance and needs are already correct would be flax seed at about 1/4 a pound a day for a 1000 pound horse. (my wife likes soy bean meal also! -- which is higher in protein and DE).

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 23, 2002 - 10:02 pm:

I've been following this post, and I am skeptical. The only time I've ever needed to give my horse oil is when he was competing and working quite hard and I couldn't get him to eat enough hay and grain to keep his weight up. He and our other horse have beautiful coats. Our recipe: the best hay available, daily vigorous grooming, plenty of turnout, and daily work (mix of harder workouts and some easy hacks according to individual fitness levels, goals, etc.). Just a thought...
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