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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Hair Care

5/16/2018

 
I've written about Izzy's hair color a few times, but I can't find the posts I wanted to share about how much his coat fades in the summer. Suffice it to say that since we left our last barn a year and a half ago, his chocolatey coat filled with dapples is long gone.
Picture
November 2015
I have lots of photos like the one above. And the shine is just good health as I am not much of a groomer. At our old barn, Izzy had a large, two-sided covered space in which to hang out. His water and feed were positioned there, so he spent a lot of time inside.
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Izzy's last stall.
Izzy now lives in a huge dry "pasture" that has trees for shelter, but no actual roof. He loves it and doesn't seem to mind standing outside during the occasional rainy day.
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Half of Izzy's dry lot pasture.
While I love being able to let my boys be real horses, our 350 days of sunshine are hard on hair. Last summer, Izzy turned into a buckskin.
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August 2017 - is that a buckskin I see?
He won't wear a flysheet for longer than eight minutes, and he refuses to stand in the shade even though I've begged. So this year, I am trying something different.

In the past, I've stuck with Pyranha Fly Spray as it was the most effective on our fly population. Since it's oil-based though, I think it contributed to the burned hair that Izzy gets. So for this year's fly season (all nine months of it), I've switched to Equiderma Neem and Aloe Fly Spray. I can't say yet whether it works as well as Pyranha, but it does smell good and since it's water based, I am hoping it will be kinder to his hair. I ordered two new bottles over the weekend to take advantage of Riding Warehouse's gift card promotion.
Picture
My new summer arsenal.
Another product I am trying is Knotty Horse Apricot Reconstructing Conditioner. I've been using it for nearly a month. First of all, it smells really, really good. At $28.95 though, it has to do more than just smell good. So far, I am spraying it pretty liberally all over Izzy's body each time I groom or ride.

According to the directions, you can even use it under the saddle which is great because that's the part of Izzy's coat that suffers the most from sweat and sun. Even though I hose him off, the salt in his sweat is still pretty harsh. The product claims that it repairs damaged ends and softens the hair.
Picture
Kind of shiny and not too faded yet ...
It's too early to tell how effective my new protocol will be. I like the Knotty Horse Conditioner though. It leaves Izzy's coat looking pretty shiny and feeling smooth. It's too soon to say how long the effect lasts though. Just in case it is working, I ordered a second bottle to have as soon as the first one runs out.

​I'll keep you posted.
Amanda Chance link
5/16/2018 07:03:55 am

In the summer I switch to the water based Pyranha (which I buy literally by the gallon) instead of the oil. It doesn't last quite as long between applications but it works just as well, and there's definitely less fading.

Bakersfield Dressage link
5/17/2018 03:10:19 pm

I've definitely thought of doing that, Amanda, but I am going to try the Equiderma for a while, especially since it's safer for me. LOL

carol holm
5/16/2018 08:45:32 am

With a fly spray season that long I would experiment with DIY formulas.
The one I have from another blog is equal parts water, pinesol,vinegar.
Also there is a recipe that calls for Avon Skin So Soft. Good luck with fly season

Bakersfield Dressage link
5/17/2018 03:10:58 pm

I wish I were a DIYer ... I am too lazy. :0)

Suzy link
5/16/2018 03:18:39 pm

Wow I'm familiar with fading but that buckskin is pretty extreme! Looks like he just got clipped! I hope the new products help keep him shiny.

Bakersfield Dressage link
5/17/2018 03:12:26 pm

He definitely faded more last summer than any other horse I've owned. Speedy doesn't fade at all so at least I only have to worry about one. LOL

Darcy
5/16/2018 07:27:14 pm

A good flax supplement and paprika!!! I really like glanzen3+blackenall or BLACK. but there are other good coat supplements. Zinc, copper are really important. This has made a ton of difference with my Friesians!!! My grays I just like on glanzen.

Bakersfield Dressage link
5/17/2018 03:17:22 pm

Both of my boys are on Platinum Performance, so I don't really want another feed through supplement. I am open to tried and true topical sprays or rub ons though. :0)

And while it might be a mineral deficiency, I think the fading truly is primarily due to how much time he spends in the sun. When we moved to the ranch in the summer of 2016, he faded dramatically within just a couple of weeks. I was shocked at how fast it happened. He kept his color pretty well through most of the summer. He only faded once he didn't have a solid roof under which to stand.


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    About the Writer and Rider

    ​I am a lifelong rider. 
    I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010.
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    About Speedy G

    ​Speedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. After helping me earn a USDF Bronze medal in the summer of 2020, he is now semi-retired. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.
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    About Izzy

    Izzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
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Among other things, Karen is a Wife, Friend, Reader, Writer, Rider, Traveler, and Dog Lover
Contact her at bakersfielddressage@gmail.com
  • Home
  • About
  • My Horses
    • Horses
    • Imperioso
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
    • Memberships
    • 2019 Dressage Tests
  • Local
    • Shopping List
  • Home