Your horse’s skin is part of their ‘Integumentary system’, which is the largest organ in the body, and often faces some of the biggest challenges so its important to protect your horse's skin as much as possible especially during the winter months.
The skin has a protective role for the rest of the body and particularly provides the first line of defence against any potential attack – so it’s imperative that it remains strong and healthy at all times. Not just the coat but also the mane, tail and hooves are all part of this complex system and supporting both internally and externally will be the key to success.
What can help towards your horse's skin care?
A good basic balanced diet is the foundation of good skin health. Keep the diet simple and forage focused to encourage digestive health. As increasingly we see emerging evidence across species of the importance of the gut-skin axis, i.e. the ability of the digestive microbiome to influence skin health.
It is worth considering providing additional digestive support from pre and probiotic yeast, to nourish the microbiome. Don’t forget the micronutrients, such as vitamins and trace elements, which can be lacking over winter due to the deficiencies of preserved forages. A concentrated balancer such as NAF Optimum will provide broad-spectrum micronutrients alongside digestive support to balance the winter diet.
The benefits of Omega 3
Another dietary aspect worth considering is the provision of the right oil to the diet, particularly omega 3 fatty acids for skin health. During spring and summer, fresh grazing provides good levels of Omega 3 in grass. Crucially in fresh grazing that Omega 3, which is naturally anti-inflammatory, is in a positive balance with the pro-inflammatory Omega 6, so supporting both general and skin health.
However, the winter diet with an increased reliance on concentrate feeds can radically imbalance that, such that the pro-inflammatory Omega 6 now predominates, and Omega 3 levels drop (see table).
Therefore, for all aspects of equine health including winter skin health, it is advised to supplement the winter diet with Omega 3 rich oil to redress that balance. NAF Omega Oil or NAF Linseed Oil are advised. Avoid oils such as corn oil or cheap sunflower oils, as these are also high in Omega 6, and will not help the rebalance.
Fig 1: How the winter diet can affect Omega 3 to 6 fatty acids:
| Diet | Omega 6 (g/day) | Omega 3 (g/day) | Omega 6 : 3 ratio |
| Pasture | 25 | 75 | 0.3 : 1 |
| Hay | 35 | 60 | 0.6 : 1 |
| Hay & Concentrate | 135 | 30 | 4.5 : 1 |
* Geor et al, assuming typical winter diet for 500kg horse. 50:50 Hay to Concentrate diet (6% fat)
Must have product to help with your horse’s winter skin health
Of course, your horse’s skin is not only influenced by diet, but also has to cope with everything externally too. Therefore using the right topical applications can really help to support winter skin health and help to provide a good skin condition.
NAF Love the Skin he’s in Skin Wash is a unique herbal solution that will quickly become a ‘must have’ winter favourite, as it can be used in a variety of ways. Dilute Skin Wash can be used as a no-rinse wash to quickly lift sweat and dirt without the need for hosing.
When clipping it is ideal for hot towel wash for a deep clean, lifting oil residue and soothing skin; and it can also be used neat on areas needing particular attention. NAF Love the Skin he’s in Skin Wash is the all-round solution for winter skin care, to maintain a glossy, healthy coat right through to Spring.
