A horse’s skin and coat health are not only a reflection of their overall health but also play an important role in protecting them from the environment. Dull coats, dry flaky skin, or excessive hair loss can often be early signs of imbalance – whether nutritional, environmental, or related to circulation and body function. The good news is, there are natural ways to support your horse’s skin and coat health, both from the inside out and the outside in.
The Role of Equine Massage in Skin and Coat Health
Massage isn’t just about relaxation – it’s a powerful tool that directly benefits skin and coat health in your horse.
- Improved Circulation: Massage increases blood flow, bringing oxygen and nutrients to the skin’s surface while aiding in waste removal. This helps the coat shine naturally, while encouraging healthier skin function – important to growing a healthy winter coat in Fall.
- Exfoliation & Shedding: Massage assists in loosening dead skin cells and hair, making shedding season more manageable and leaving the coat smoother and cleaner.
- Skin Elasticity: Consistent massage can improve the suppleness and elasticity of the skin, reducing tightness and supporting healthy connective tissues beneath the surface.
Not only does massage promote skin health, but it also strengthens the bond between horse and handler, creating trust while addressing physical needs.
Nutritional Support for Healthy Skin and Coat Health
What we put into our horses’ bodies is just as important as the care we provide on the outside. Nutrition plays a central role in skin and coat quality. Some key natural supports include:
- Vitamin E: An essential antioxidant that promotes skin healing and coat luster while supporting immune health.
- Young Living Sulfurzyme (MSM + Wolfberry): MSM is a vital building block for collagen, keratin, and connective tissue. This makes it critical not only for joints and soft tissue but also for skin and hair strength.
- Coconut Oil: Rich in medium-chain fatty acids, it can support digestion and promote a glossy coat when used appropriately.
- Omega Fatty Acids: Omegas 3 and 6 help reduce skin inflammation, dryness, and dullness, supporting overall coat shine and softness.
Adding targeted supplements can help address underlying deficiencies that show up as skin or coat issues.
Essential Oils to Support Skin and Hair
Essential oils can be a safe, natural addition to your horse’s care routine when used correctly. Some of the best options for skin and coat support include:
- Lavender: Calming and soothing to skin irritations while promoting relaxation.
- Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia): Supports a healthy skin microbiome and can be cleansing for minor irritations.
- Rosemary: Helps stimulate circulation to the skin and coat.
- Frankincense: Supports healthy skin regeneration and resilience.
- Myrrh: Nourishes dry, cracked skin and promotes elasticity.
These oils can be diluted and applied topically, diffused in the barn, or used aromatically depending on your horse’s needs. Contact me to learn which essential oils I recommend for use on horses and other animals, as well as free resources on how to use them safely.
Whole-Horse Wellness
Supporting your horse’s skin and coat health naturally isn’t about a single product or practice – it’s about creating a holistic care plan. Equine massage, nutritional supplementation, and essential oils all work together to build resilience, support natural defenses, and bring out the natural glow in your horse’s coat.
Your horse’s skin and coat tell a story. By listening carefully and supporting them from the inside and out, you can help your horse shine…literally and figuratively.
This information is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any disease or condition, nor is it meant to replace regular veterinary care. Always remember to consult your veterinarian before beginning any treatment plan on your horse!
Lisa Generali-Perez is a Certified Equine Massage Therapist (CEMT), with multiple certifications from several different equine bodywork schools. She incorporates her knowledge and experience with Parelli Natural Horsemanship, equine bodywork, using essential oils for animals and as a veterinary technician to provide her clients with the resources they need to make informed decisions for their horses. She encourages and facilitates network building between equine health care professionals, working together to find the best combination