Winter Coats in Horses: Hidden Risks and How to Prevent Skin Conditions
With the arrival of the cold months, every horse's physiology changes. The most visible change is the growth of a thick winter coat, serving as a perfect thermoregulatory mechanism. While this "winter gear" is crucial for survival in nature, it brings specific challenges for sport or leisure horses in regular work.
Many owners do not realize that the combination of long hair, sweat, and a damp winter environment creates an ideal microclimate on the skin for the development of unwanted pathogens.
Why is the winter coat risky?
In winter, a horse's skin "breathes" with more difficulty than in the summer months. The problem arises especially if the horse is rugged (blanketed) or sweats during work and dries too slowly due to the thick undercoat. Heat and trapped moisture directly on the skin create an ideal incubator for bacteria and fungi.
If moisture does not evaporate quickly enough, the skin's natural protective barrier is compromised, opening the door to infections. The most common winter nightmares include:
1. Rain Rot (Dermatophilosis) Although we often associate this condition with "mud fever" on the legs, in winter it frequently appears on the back, neck, and croup – exactly where the rug sits or where rain runs off.
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How to spot it: It looks like small scabs firmly stuck to the hair (resembling a paintbrush). When removed (often with a tuft of hair), raw, weeping, and painful skin is revealed underneath.
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Cause: Prolonged moisture and steaming of the coat under a rug.
2. Ringworm (Dermatomycosis) Fungal infections are on the rise in winter months because horse immunity can be weakened, and the lack of solar UV radiation favors fungal spread.
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How to spot it: It manifests as circular hairless patches, often with grey scales at the edges. Beware, they are highly contagious and transmissible to humans too.
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Risk: Spreads by sharing grooming kits, saddle pads, rugs, or through direct contact in the herd.
5 Principles of Winter Coat Care
Prevention is always cheaper and easier than treating a developed infection. By following these five steps, you will significantly reduce the risk of skin problems in your stable.
1. Checking under the rug is mandatory Even if you aren't riding that day, the rug must be taken off every single day. It is essential to visually and physically check if the horse isn't overheated, if the rug isn't rubbing the shoulders or withers, and if suspicious lumps or scabs aren't forming in the coat.
2. Never rug a wet horse This is the golden rule. If the horse is sweaty after riding, it must dry completely before getting a stable or turnout rug. Moisture trapped under a waterproof layer has nowhere to escape.
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Use high-quality cooler rugs (sweat sheets) that effectively wick sweat to the surface.
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If the horse has an extremely thick coat and works regularly, consider clipping.
3. Own grooming kit for every horse In winter, fungi and bacteria spread quickly and invisibly. The basis of hygiene is that every horse has its own set of brushes. If you suspect a skin problem, disinfect the brushes immediately and do not use them on other horses.
4. Support from within Healthy skin starts in the gut. In winter, horses lack fresh grass, which is a natural source of vitamins. To support the skin barrier function and coat quality, it is crucial to supplement:
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Zinc and Copper (support skin regeneration).
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Biotin (strengthens coat and hooves).
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Vitamin E and oils (improve skin elasticity and immunity).
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Suitable nutritional supplement: Crystalina Horses.
5. Regular grooming (even when not riding) A thick winter coat traps dust, dander, and dead skin, which bind moisture. Even if the horse looks clean, going over them with a rubber curry comb is essential. The massage stimulates blood circulation in the skin, supporting natural immunity and mechanically removing dirt that could serve as a breeding ground for fungi.
Winter doesn't have to be a burden for your horse's skin if you pay attention to the details. Regular checks, thorough drying, and quality nutrition are the keys to welcoming spring with a healthy and shiny horse.