Lumps, dry or oily skin and itching – how to help your horse

You may know it: Your horse starts to shed its coat, or the weather changes, and suddenly you notice small irregularities in its skin. Maybe there are oily or dry areas, small bumps, scabs or even slightly inflamed changes on the skin surface.

It's not necessarily dangerous – but it's a sign that your skin is under pressure. And luckily, there's a lot you can do to help.

What is the reason for this?

The horse's skin is a large and sensitive organ that responds to changes in weather, feeding and hormonal balance. During periods when the skin needs to renew itself – for example, when changing its coat – some horses tend to produce too much sebum (skin fat). This can cause:

• Small bumps and bumps
• Greasy or sticky areas of the skin
• Dandruff, crusts, dryness and possible itching
• Mild inflammation in individual pores or hair follicles

It can resemble what is called “rain eczema” and is often caused by a combination of moisture, heat, sebum and bacteria in the skin. It can occur both during transitional periods and in everyday routines – especially if the skin is not given the opportunity to breathe or regenerate.

What can you do?

1. Supply the right fatty acids

The skin needs a healthy balance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Many horses today often receive omega-3 supplements (e.g. from algae oil), but for oily or dry skin and small bumps, it can also be helpful to add a little extra omega-6 from a mild, stable oil such as rapeseed oil.

Our recommendation:

The combination of RC O3 Algae Oil and rapeseed oil supports the skin's own balance and helps the body to reduce irritation and regenerate the skin - from the inside.

2. If necessary, clip the horse lightly.

If the coat is dense and the skin feels warm and moist, it may be beneficial to clip the horse – especially on the neck, saddle area, hindquarters or other areas with dense fur. This helps the skin breathe and reduces the risk of irritation.

3. Gently remove crusts

If there are small crusts or accumulations of sebum, you can gently loosen them with your fingers or a soft brush. Be gentle – the skin must not be irritated or damaged.

4. Consider gentle washing

For more severe skin problems, you may want to consider washing the area with a mild antibacterial or antifungal product – for example:

• Chlorhexidine shampoo (antibacterial and mild)
• Betadine soap (iodine-based and broad-spectrum)
• Imaverol (contains enilconazole, targeting fungus)

👉 Always use these products with care, and avoid drying out and irritating the skin unnecessarily.
Imaverol is a prescription drug and must be used in consultation with a veterinarian.

5. Keep an eye on developments

Adjusting food and care often helps quickly. However, if the skin becomes red, warm, painful, or starts to ooze fluid, you should contact your vet to rule out infection or allergy.

Remember: Skin problems can occur all year round

Although many people experience skin problems in connection with the shedding of their coat, they can occur throughout the year – especially if the horse:

• Wears the blanket for longer periods
• Has high humidity around the body
• Has imbalances in metabolism, diet or hormone profile
• Have a tendency to sensitive skin or allergies
• Has a lot of fur

Cold-blooded breeds and other horses with thick coats can easily get too hot in the Danish climate – especially if they are also wearing a blanket. The hot and humid environment can cause skin problems, which are worsened if the skin is not allowed to breathe.

Persistent minor skin problems can be the body's way of saying "help" - and it's obvious to start by supporting from within.

Give your skin what it needs

We always recommend starting with the basics:

• Sufficient protein, vitamins and minerals
• Good quality roughage – plenty every day
• Supplementation with the right fatty acids – not too little and not too much

The combination of RC O3 Algae Oil and rapeseed oil is a gentle and natural place to start, the skin's balance is disturbed - both during the coat change and in everyday life.