Your horse is good at his job. As a reiner he consistently pluses maneuvers. Or as a cutter he gets high scores. Or as a pleasure horse he has amazing movement. Or he is a retired pasture pet. So is it important that he has a shiny coat?
Short answer – YES!
A shiny coat matters for a lot of reasons.
1. A Shiny Coat is a Sign of Health
The most important reason is that a shiny coat is a great indicator of good health. A poor coat – long hair that’s dull and broken looking – is a clear indication that the horse’s health is not top notch. A dull coat could indicate poor nutrition, digestive problems, metabolic issues, and many other health concerns.
A horse that is in good health will grow longer thicker hair in the winter months, but as long as that hair has luster, it is healthy.
A horse who is constantly covered in mud or is often wet can develop several health issues. Regular cleaning – washing if possible, brushing if not – will help prevent things like rain rot, fungus and other dermatological disfunctions.
2. Human Nature and Judging
If you compete in a judged event, a shiny horse is an absolute must. Even in a scored event like reining or working cow horse, having a horse that looks healthy and well presented can help a judge subconsciously lean a little in your favor. Its human nature to like something that is pleasing to the eye. There is a reason that even the most talented signers dress in flashy clothing or have a fancy stage!
Taking the time to ensure your horse is clean, well taken care of, and shiny shows that you are serious about what you are doing. That level of commitment of time and resources shows the judge that you are dedicated to putting your best foot forward. As animal lovers and competitors, a judge will respect that.
3. Pride and Care
You love your horses. Whether you are competitor or a pet owner, you want to take good care of them. So you feel better when you can see the results of your work. That shine on that horse shows you and everyone who sees him how much you care and how much pride you have in your animal and your hard work. Your horse gives you so much, doesn’t he deserve to feel good?
That’s why Basic Animal Health includes grooming products
We took our building blocks approach to internal health and applied it to the external health of your horse. We offer 3 formulas of all natural fly spray, Oatmeal shampoo, healthy skin conditioner, a shine spray that detangles, and a whole line of anti-fungal products called DF Crosley.
Get your horse looking as good as he feels! Go to Basic Animal Health and enter coupon code SHINEBLOG at checkout for 15% off of your order today!