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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Vitamin E Oil

9/8/2016

 
Sometime after Izzy's leg was more or less healed, someone suggested I work on the scar by applying Vitamin E oil. For a few weeks, I applied a small bit each day, but when nothing dramatic happened, I fell off the routine and only applied it when I remembered, which has become several times a week. Even so, I do think it has helped the scar to shrink. And if the shrinkage is just natural and would have happened anyway, at least I didn't do it any harm.
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January 8, 2016 (one year after)
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September 5, 2016
While I was using the vitamin E oil on Izzy's scar, I discovered that it works really well on a variety of skin blemishes. Izzy gets a mild form of "scratches" on his lower legs. You've probably seen them yourself. They start out as a tiny scab that you can pick off with a sharp fingernail, but if you let them go too long, they get rather big and a lot harder to pick off.
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Since I had the Vitamin E oil, I started rubbing a small bit on the scabs each day. In no time at all, the scab was soft enough to pick off. Once the skin was scab-free, I continued to dab on the oil each day until the skin looked healthy and hair started to return.

I also found that it works great on hock and hip sores. Izzy's are now mostly gone, thanks to the Vitamin E oil, but Speedy just started a new hock sore the other day.
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Sunday
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Monday - it already looked softer.
One caveat: oil doesn't look good on gray horses. In fact, it make wounds look worse initially, so don't be surprised if people start pointing out all of your horse's booboos to you. I've also read that you should use caution if applying it to the face or other areas that get a lot of sunlight as the horse could get a sunburn.

To apply, I simply snip off the tip of the capsule with a pair of scissors and gently squeeze a bit onto my finger. I then dab it wherever I see dry or damaged skin. It helps to loosen crusted on dirt, like in the photo of Speedy's hock, and seems to promote healthier skin. If I apply it for several days in a row, hock sores disappear quickly and healthy skin is left behind.

As far as price, I know I paid no more than ten bucks for a bottle of 100 capsules. If the wounds are all small, I can treat all four legs with one capsule. I know Vitamin E oil also comes in a liquid, but the capsules seemed cleaner without so much cross-contamination.
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Plastic container on the left (it's hot here!), original jar on the right.
Since this bottle is almost out, I replaced it with coconut oil which is touted as having anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties. Coconut oil also contains Vitamin E which is an antioxidant. It came in a glass jar, so I poured about half of it into an empty plastic container. I left half at home in the refrigerator and took the other half to the barn.

I actually like the coconut oil better. It's thinner and lighter and seems to absorb without as much oily residue.  And even though I bought the refined version, which is supposed to remove the odor and taste of coconut, both of my boys were very interested in the jar and eager to get a closer look.


While there isn't much clinical evidence supporting the health benefits of Vitamin E and coconut oil, I saw benefits of using the Vitamin E. And since both oils are fairly cheap and won't do any harm, I am keeping them as a go-to for minor wounds and skin ailments.

What's your experience with using oils on your horse's skin?
SarahO link
9/8/2016 10:29:53 am

I haven't ever used oil on my horses before. Kachina has a couple old scars (from before I got her) on her leg that are still rough and so she breaks them open every now and then when she snags or rubs them on something, I may have to try vitamin E or coconut oil to minimize them, thanks for the tip!

For fresh cuts I use DermaGel (http://www.derma-gel.com/index1.html), I first got it from a vet for a nasty cut below my mare's tail a few years back and find it very good. It is easy to apply, doesn't require bandaging, and has multiple benefits for healing skin. It's only for open wounds, not old closed over scars though.

Bakersfield Dressage link
9/12/2016 05:52:55 am

The oils have worked for me. I'll be curious to hear back. :0)

Tracy link
9/8/2016 10:32:01 am

I've never heard of using Vitamin E for sores... but MAN hock sores are hard to get rid off -- I'm definitely going to try this!!

Bakersfield Dressage link
9/12/2016 05:53:31 am

They are hard to get rid of for sure, but this does help.

Marlane
9/8/2016 02:16:20 pm

I have used just about every kind of oil on myself and horses over the years. Vitamin E oil is an excellent healer of wounds for people and horses. I have used mineral oil, coconut oil, lanolin and all the cooking oils including olive for tack preservation and helping my gelding who has allergies. He was allergic to all of them except he was ok with vaseline and Corona. This is mainly for his allergies to no see ums. Every oil will go rancid and smell awful on tack. So I learned to used proper tack cleaning oils. The main thing I found is that I could not use any kind of oil for sheath or udder cleaning. Excalibur is the only safe thing. All my horses had horrible swelling, the vet thought they had the beginning of pigeon fever.

Bakersfield Dressage link
9/12/2016 05:54:37 am

I am pretty careful about what goes on man and lady parts. :0)

I either stick to water or Excalibur. The oils are great for lots of other stuff though.

Elinor link
9/8/2016 05:20:15 pm

Think I'm going to test out some coconut oil on some tiny hick rubs...!!!

Bakersfield Dressage link
9/12/2016 05:55:04 am

Let me know what you think!

bonita link
9/8/2016 11:10:49 pm

I have used castor oil on scraps, rubs, and closed wounds for years. I find it keeps the skin soft and the hair grows back so much faster than if I just leave it alone!

It does have the draw back of taking a long time to absorb, so sometimes it will collect a layer of dust on top of it (hence only using it on the bare skin/closed wounds - no open ones) but I think that's one of the benefits too, as it keeps the skin supple for longer.

It's always been my go-to and I haven't found anything better for promoting hair regrowth. :)

Bakersfield Dressage link
9/12/2016 05:56:09 am

The coconut oil is lighter than the vitamin E, so it does seem to absorb more quickly. I haven't been using it long enough to know if it works as well though.

Teresa link
9/9/2016 04:48:13 am

I love vitamin E has a healing tool. I do use it and it seems to help.

Bakersfield Dressage link
9/12/2016 05:56:44 am

For me it has. I hope the coconut oil works just as well.

Micaylah link
9/13/2016 12:42:45 pm

My mom swears by Tea Tree Oil. I have a tube of Corona I'll use up for now and then switch back to some sort of oil. I've always been happy with it


Comments are closed.

    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.
    ​Welcome to my dressage journey.
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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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    July 2020 (PC AJSK Photography)

    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 Second Level. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
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  • Home
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  • Horses
    • G Ima Starr FA
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    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
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    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
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