Which supplementary feed is suitable for horses during shedding season?

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Excellent Itch Stop Horse Feed Oil

Every horse goes through the major shedding season twice a year. In spring, the thick winter coat is shed, and in autumn, the warmer winter coat grows back. Here in Bornerbroek, we notice this from the many questions that come into the shop and by email during this period: customers ask why their horse suddenly looks dull or is scratching more often despite good basic feeding.

The change itself is a normal, natural process, but it costs the horse’s body additional energy and nutrients. Not every horse copes with it on its own, especially older animals or horses with already sensitive skin, which visibly show greater needs during these weeks.

I’ll show you which supplement really helps, when and for how long supplementation is worthwhile, and which grooming steps are involved, so the new coat grows back thick and shiny.

• Start using the fatty acid oil in good time before the expected shedding season, so the skin has enough lead time before the actual change begins.
• A dull coat despite normal feeding is more likely to indicate a lack of fatty acids, while rubbing and bald patches point to irritated skin; these require different responses.
• A shedding season that lasts for several months or remains incomplete should be assessed by a veterinarian rather than treated solely with supplements.
• Daily brushing with a curry comb, felt brush and sponge, combined with the feed oil, significantly speeds up visible progress compared with either measure alone.
• Treats and toys make longer handling sessions while grooming and providing supplements easier, but they never replace targeted support for the skin and coat from within.

What happens during the shedding season, and why does my horse need support?

During the shedding season, the horse’s body replaces its entire coat in spring and autumn, which requires additional energy and nutrients beyond the normal maintenance ration. During this period, the skin and hair roots have an increased need for fatty acids and protein, as the body needs both to grow the new coat back thick and give it shine.

A dull, scruffy coat during the change is usually the first sign in our customer consultations that the ration alone is not sufficient. If sufficient fatty acids and protein are available, the new coat grows back more quickly and evenly.

It is important to distinguish a normal coat change from a delayed one. Stress, worm infestation or a genuine nutrient deficiency can significantly prolong the process; according to the Merck Veterinary Manual, factors such as age and general health also play a role. A horse that remains scruffy and unchanged for weeks instead of visibly progressing requires closer attention than one that completes the change within the usual timeframe.

Which supplementary feed best supports the coat change?

For the coat change, I recommend Excellent Itch Stop Futteröl Pferd, a feed oil supplement with fatty acids that nourishes the skin and coat directly from within. The oil is simply added to the normal feed and specifically helps combat the skin irritations that many horses experience in addition to itching during the coat change.

Unlike a general mineral feed, which covers the complete mineral supply, this feed oil specifically targets the skin and coat. So anyone already feeding a mineral supplement does not need to change anything; the oil is simply added as a targeted supplement.

In my experience, the oil is a sensible, targeted addition during the shedding period if the skin is visibly dry or the coat is dull despite a good basic diet. Horses that noticeably rub themselves more or whose coat does not become shiny despite brushing benefit particularly from this targeted support, rather than simply receiving more of their existing mineral feed.

When and for how long should I supplement?

The right time to start supplementing is four to six weeks before the coat change, not only once the old coat is already falling out in clumps. This gives the skin enough time to absorb the fatty acids before the actual change begins in spring or autumn.

How long you continue feeding it then is not determined by a fixed date, but by the coat itself. Many owners I speak to continue feeding it throughout the entire shedding period, which lasts several weeks, and only reduce it once the new coat lies thick and smooth.

If you missed the start, that’s not a problem - you can still start feeding it. The effect will simply become apparent a little later, usually in the middle of the ongoing change rather than right at the beginning.

For dosage, I follow the manufacturer's instructions on the packaging of Excellent Itch Stop Feed Oil for Horses and adjust it to the weight and condition of the individual horse. A light Pony needs noticeably less than a large warmblood with a thick winter coat.

ComfortCare tail and mane brush

How do I recognize a nutrient deficiency in the coat?

Dull, brittle hair without a natural shine despite a normal diet is the symptom I hear customers mention most often in the shop. Instead of shimmering, the coat looks dry and lies lifeless against the body, even though the hay and concentrate feed remain unchanged.

Increased rubbing, itching, or bald patches during shedding, on the other hand, are more likely to indicate irritated skin than a simple nutrient deficiency. This is exactly where Itch Stop Feed Oil is targeted, as it soothes the skin from within instead of merely replenishing nutrients.

If shedding stretches over several months or remains incomplete, it is no longer solely a feeding issue. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, metabolic disorders may be involved and should be investigated by a veterinarian.

A coat that grows back patchy or unevenly is not necessarily caused by the diet. Sun exposure or uneven grooming is often behind it, for example when one side of the horse is brushed more frequently. I then monitor the affected horse for one to two weeks before assuming a genuine deficiency, because many patchy coat patterns disappear on their own once grooming becomes more consistent.

How do I combine supplements with the right coat care?

Coat care during shedding works best with two approaches at the same time: supplements nourish the skin and coat from within, while daily brushing removes loose coat from the outside. Combining both makes progress noticeably faster than feeding or brushing alone.

During shedding season, I reach for the Double ComfortCare Grooming Brush myself to quickly remove loose hair from a thick winter or summer coat. For the finishing touch afterward, the felt on the Magic Brush is ideal, especially on sensitive areas such as the head and legs, where the skin is thinner. After such an intensive grooming session, the Excellent Horse Hi Gloss Shampoo Bar Foam Net adds extra shine to the newly grown coat. The mane and tail also need attention during this period: the ComfortCare tail and mane brush keeps both free of loose hair and tangles without putting strain on the hair structure.

Brushes and grooming tools for shedding season

What role do treats play during shedding?

Treats are mainly helpful during shedding because they encourage your horse to stand calmly during longer brushing sessions and supplementary feeding. More handling can make some horses more restless, and a reward makes the extra time at the grooming area more pleasant for many animals.

The Likit Horse Bar treat bar is well suited to achieving this without changing the regular feed ration. It is given alongside the usual ration while the targeted supplementary feed for skin and coat continues to be provided as normal.

If a horse becomes restless or impatient during longer brushing sessions, the Likit Tongue Twister can also provide extra entertainment as a toy and keep its attention focused. This is particularly helpful during shedding season, when grooming takes longer than usual.

It is important to remember that treats never replace targeted supplementary feed for skin and coat. They only support handling during grooming; the actual internal support continues to come from the feed oil.

Products for the shedding season compared

What should you do if your horse is in the middle of shedding?

If your horse has a dull coat or increased itching during the shedding season, the Excellent Itch Stop Horse Feed Oil is the right starting point, used in good time before the expected shedding period and accompanied by daily brushing. For most horses, this combination of feeding and grooming is enough to get through the change quickly and without major problems.

The situation is different if the shedding period lasts for several months or old hairs remain unusually long. In that case, it is no longer a feeding issue but a matter for the vet, before you simply increase the supplementary feeding further.

It's best to start where you are: Observe your horse's coat this week and then decide whether feed oil, more brushing or a visit to the vet should be the next step.

These steps will help you support your horse's shedding period in a targeted way:

• Start supplementing in good time before the next shedding period in spring or autumn
• Dose Excellent Itch Stop Feed Oil for Horses over the normal feed according to the manufacturer's instructions
• Check the coat and skin weekly for shine, dryness and itching
• Remove loose hair daily with the Doppelte ComfortCare grooming brush
• After intensive grooming sessions, use the Excellent Horse Hi Gloss Shampoo Bar Foam Net to add shine
• Use Likit Horse Bar treat bars as a reward during longer grooming and feeding routines
• Seek veterinary advice if the shedding period lasts for several months