My Five Things: Izzy's Coat

Izzy's coat is the most beautiful in early spring and early fall. By late summer he fades to what many would call a buckskin, and by late winter his coat looks like a grizzly's. Right now, his dapples are just starting to show, and his coat hasn't yet started to fade.

#1 His RPSI Brand
I know Izzy hasn't fully shed his winter coat until his brand starts to show through. I can almost see it now, but it will be another month or two before it's visible without a miscroscope.

This is where it should be.

#2 Dapples
While they'll get more pronounced as his coat begins to fade, his dapples are also just beginning to show. He doesn't have them with his winter coat, but when the light hits just right, you can see them appearing.

#3 The Shiny Gene
Izzy has the shiny gene; Speedy doesn't. It's short lived though. Once his coat begins to fade, the shine goes with it. I've learned to appreciate it while it lasts.

#4 Itchy Skin
Along with a beautiful coat, early spring also brings out the itchiness. Izzy's mane has finally grown back so that it is at least long enough to braid. I doubt I'll get to though as he has already started rubbing it out. I've tried a variety of steroids, shampoos, topical ointments, and more, but nothing seems to help. We live too close to the river and the biting, itchy no-see-ums. 

Dammit.

#5 Hock Sores
As soon as it warms up, the ground also turns hard. Izzy's paddock is sandy and warm, but that combination seems to be the perfect formula for hock sores. He sleeps on the same dry sand all winter long, but his coat must be thick enough to protect the thin skin on his legs. Without that extra hair to protect his skin, he gets small sores on his legs. This weekend I started using coconut oil to help keep his skin more moist and elastic. After just one application, the sores already looked better.

That's not blood. It's the coconut oil from the day before.

Horses' coats require different maintenance depending on the season. There might not be any mud to scrape off in the spring, but having such a thin coat means their skin needs a lot of love. Hopefully summer will take its time arriving and won't overstay its welcome.

​Izzy's skin and coat would sure appreciate it.