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Feeding Oils for a Glossy Coat, Healthy Mane and Tail in Horses

Feeding Oils for a Glossy Coat, Healthy Mane and Tail in Horses

A shiny coat and healthy mane and tail are not just signs of a well-groomed horse, they’re reflections of inner health and balanced nutrition. One of the most effective ways to promote hair and skin health in horses is by feeding the right types of fats and oils. 

 Why Feed Oils to Horses? 

 Feeding oils to horses has been shown to provide a range of benefits beyond just improved appearance. When included at 10–15% of the diet, oils can: 

  • Provide cool, non-heating energy 
  • Support calm behaviour
  • Improve feed palatability and reduce dust 
  • Enhance coat, mane and tail shine 
  • Support metabolic health and reduce the risk of disorders like tying-up 

 But not all oils are equal—some offer significant benefits while others can have negative effects depending on their source, processing, and how they're fed. 

 Coconut Oil – A Superior Source of Saturated Fat 

 Coconut oil is a highly stable, saturated fat derived from tropical coconuts. Unlike animal fats (like tallow), which are impractical and unpalatable for horses, coconut oil is safe, palatable, and easy to include in the diet. 

 Saturated oils like coconut oil are less prone to oxidation, making them more stable and less likely to go rancid compared to polyunsaturated oils. Research shows they can be more effective at supporting:

  •  Skin health and coat shine 
  •  Safe energy for performance horses 
  •  Improved metabolism and digestive function 
  • Provides ketones..the fourth energy system from MCT for aerobic metabolism 

 CoolStance Copra Meal, a coconut-based feed, is also rich in medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) and natural proteins that support hair and hoof growth. 

 Coat, Mane and Tail: The Role of Amino Acids 

 Hair, including the mane and tail, is made mostly of keratin, a protein formed from specific amino acids known as sulphur-containing amino acids, methionine, cystine, and cysteine. 

These amino acids also support: 

  •  Wool growth in sheep 
  •  Antler growth in deer 
  •  Hoof growth and repair in horses 
  • Coat mane an tail growth
 Without enough of these nutrients, horses may develop dry, brittle hair and hooves. Feeding a product like CoolStance copra meal  which is naturally rich in methionine and cysteine, helps promote the production of strong, healthy keratin resulting in a lustrous coat and strong, thick mane and tail. 

 Oil and Hair Shine: How It Works 

 Feeding oils enhances the gloss of a horse’s coat, mane and tail by softening the hair cuticle. This smoother surface reflects more light, giving hair that coveted shiny appearance. It’s not just cosmetic, healthy hair is a sign of proper metabolic function and nutritional balance. . 

Stance oil supplements

 Key Takeaways 

 Feed oils like coconut or soybean oil for safe energy, coat shine, and calm behaviour. Support keratin formation with sulphur amino acids like methionine and cysteine. Choose stable, saturated oils that resist oxidation and support digestive health. Use grooming and nutrition together to maximise coat, mane and tail health. Avoid mouldy or high-NSC feeds that cause metabolic stress and a dull coat.


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