dry skin can you help me

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Chailin

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Hi can anyone help me with a problem that i have. I am a new mum of 6 mths to a 2yr old filly and recently her coat has become very dry and skin, like dandruff. I groom her for 1 1/2hrs a day but she doesnt seem to be improving any. I haven't changed her feed only that i am how steaming her hay. Her toilet are normal she eats, drinks and sleeps. She does seem tired alot and doesnt always want to go in the field:( She has lost most of her winter coat and only has some left under her belly but when i groom more and more hair comes out. AM I DOING SOMETHING WRONG TO MY BABY GIRL:confused::confused::(
 
she is on pegasus mix, chaff and speedy beet
I started steaming it because she stopped eating it and started coughining now that i steam it she eats and doesnt cough and is much happier with it that way. Also we're all asthmatic and the hay affects us but is fine once steamed
 
Pegasus may not be giving her the calories that she needs.

If you think she is lacking energy, or seems generally 'dull' in herself I'd look to swapping to a specialist youngstock mix - but also ensuring that she has good quality hay/haylage to eat, as well as good grazing.

You don't say what her overall condition is - so will assume that she may be a little poor. If you think she's getting an adequate diet then I'd think about having your vet out to do bloods. What 'type' is she??

Also contacting TGM on here - who is a minefield of knowledge with regards to feeding - could help.
 
Definately try adding some soya, vegatable oil or caron oil is good but more expensive than the other 2. The feeds she is on won't be very high in oil. Also is she rugged up? this can cause their coat to become a lot more scurffy. A good bit of sunshine on her back will do it good, you can over groom her aswell 1 1/2 hours per day is a little excessive this may be taking out some of her natural oils. I lightly brush mine everyday to check for lumps & bumps but only properly groom them once a week.
 
Her condition is very good and has a good top line on her. She loves to be chased in the field and then she chases you back and so on, but this week she seem very tied, yawning all the time and wants to stay in her box. I let her out this morning she went in the field for 15 mins and was banging the gate down to get in so i let her in and she went straight back to her box and stayed their thats not like her.
 
you can over groom her aswell 1 1/2 hours per day is a little excessive this may be taking out some of her natural oils
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This is a really good point. I actually never (well hardly ever) groom my horse. I only do it really when necessary - he actually hates being brushed...
 
Chailin said:
Her condition is very good and has a good top line on her. She loves to be chased in the field and then she chases you back and so on, but this week she seem very tied, yawning all the time and wants to stay in her box. I let her out this morning she went in the field for 15 mins and was banging the gate down to get in so i let her in and she went straight back to her box and stayed their thats not like her.
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What company does she have??
 
She loves being brushed and would stand there all day for you to do it.
I do understand what your saying about over brushing and yes can see how is would strip her natural oils from her coat
 
Can only agree with the comments re. oil and feeding in the posts above.

And also fully endorse what Cat & Mouse says:
"Also is she rugged up? this can cause their coat to become a lot more scurffy. A good bit of sunshine on her back will do it good, you can over groom her aswell 1 1/2 hours per day is a little excessive this may be taking out some of her natural oils."

Personally I wouldn't groom nearly as much as that, especially if (I'm assuming here) filly is field kept.

For moistening and soothing the skin itself, I find that a brilliant product is Gold Label Wonder Gel - just apply it liberally to the skin (no need to rub in hard, but do make sure it gets down to the skin through the hair). I've seen Wonder Gel make a difference within days to my 29yo mare whose skin always dries out when she's going through moult. So that should give filly some short term relief - but the feeding and oil advice is what you need to be looking at longer term.
 
It sounds like she is craving your attention & associates being in with your company. Instead of grooming her take her for a walk so she is still having plenty of contact & in your company. Sounds like she may need a field buddy if she hasn't got one already.
 
She is on her own now. The other horse has went out on loan with veiw to buy and in the back of my mind i AM wondering if this is making her depressed. She had a lovely glossy coat before. The other horse left 6 wks ago
 
Chailin said:
She is on her own now. The other horse has went out on loan with veiw to buy and in the back of my mind i AM wondering if this is making her depressed. She had a lovely glossy coat before. The other horse left 6 wks ago
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All horses need company - and it's especially important for youngsters. So you're going to need to help her with this by getting her a companion.......
 
It would be worth looking into getting a companioin on loan lots of people are looking for good homes & they don't have to cost you a fortune to keep if you chose carefully.

After all they are pack animals & don't like being on their own, well most don't anyway! But less grooming, more oil & maybe a play mate, she should have a shiney coat in no time!:)
 
Hw do i do this, short of buying another horse which i cant afford and the ownth of the place doesnt want another horse just yet. They want to wait to see if the other horse is coming back and in the mean time my baby is suffering.
 
How long has the owner of the place agreed for other horse to be on loan before buying? You can loan a pony surely? Talk to the owner & explain the situation. You can't have an unhappy youngster you will end up with problem later in life.
 
Even to loan a pony will cost me livery fees.
The owner of the propertyno nothing bout horses and are hoping that the other horse comes back as she was the first horse they have had there and they loved her.
My filly is a thoughbred x
 
Is Grass livery not an option for companion pony to make it a bit cheaper, filly could probably live out when its warmer at night. I think you need to look at a better qualtiy of feed for her. young TB's need good quality protein, not too high though & not too much starch to suport their growth & keep weight on them.
 
Its really hard to find a place round here everyone has horses not that i've met anyone. So all the yards are taken. Its also really nice and peacful were we are, no rules, i come and go as i please and only answer to myself
 
An Alfalfa based diet would be better as it has a higher level of natural good quality protein & minerals than chaff. A good quality high fibre nut would be best not a mix then you keep the starch low which is usually what blows a TB's mind. Ring a feed companies advice line to see what they suggest.

I wouldn't suggest you move it sounds lovely. Does the horse that gone on loan with veiw to buy belong to yard owner?
 
no she belongs to someone else.

WILL TRY WHAT YOU HAVE SUGGESTED AND MAKE THAT CALL.

Dont really like talking to people on the phone and dont want to sound thick
 
Let us know how you get on, good luck.

Don't worry about ringing then, a lot of them have email. You are not thick just a concerned new mum who wants some feeding advice. :)
 
Owning horses throws up so many challenges for us - but perhaps none more so than having a youngster.

Bottom line is that your young horse needs to be with another horse and even better a group of youngsters. Why not have a drive around your area to see what other horses you can see - to see if you can locate somewhere that has youngstock.

It may well be that a move to a more appropriate enrivonment could make the world of difference to her overall well being - as well as the additional support for you that it could offer you.
 
There are horses in the feild across the road that she talks to every morning and also one feild up but all these other horses brake out of their fields and come and visit her, she's a good girl and stays in her field.
Thanks again for all your help;):rolleyes:
 
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