Dry skin is often the underlying cause behind horses’ skin problems. Dandruff and a dull coat are telltale signs of dry skin. Dry skin is also more susceptible to react to allergens and bacterial infections. For example, the mane and the tail may itch. An imbalance of the skin’s barrier function increases the risk of pastern dermatitis also known as scratches, grease heel, cracked heel and mud fever or streptotrichosis (equine dermatophilosis) and other types of dermatitis.

Horses need essential fatty acids to support the natural protective mechanisms of their skin, that is, the barrier function of the skin. Nutrolin Horse Skin & Coat™ is a unique, patented oil supplement for horses. The oil contains plenty of essential fatty acids that support the barrier function of the skin. When the barrier function works well, the skin maintains its moisture balance, which means less problems caused by dry skin.

Nutrolin® HORSE Skin & Coat

Strengthens skin’s natural protective layer: the permeability barrier

Horses’ skin problems require a tailored oil supplement

Omega-6 linoleic acid strengthens the skin’s natural protective layer, that is, the skin’s barrier function. Fish oil supplements do not have this effect (McCusker & Grant-Kels, 2010). When the skin’s barrier function operates properly, the skin maintains its moisture balance, and symptoms of dry skin are alleviated (Hansen & Jensen, 1985; Elias, 2014).

Nutrolin Horse Skin & Coat™ is an oil supplement that contains plenty of Linoleic acid, which is an essential omega-6 fatty acid for the well-being of skin and coat. In addition, Skin & Coat oil contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (ALA, SDA and GLA) that optimize the effects of linoleic acid. The daily dose for a horse weighing 500 kg contains 24,000 mg of essential fatty acids.

Includes natural vitamin E

Free radicals and reactive oxygen in the cells of an organism can cause oxidative stress in the body. Oxidative stress takes place when the amount of oxygen radicals exceeds the ability of antioxidants to protect tissues in the body against oxidation. Oxidative stress can damage cellular DNA, proteins and membranes. Inflammation and active inflammation cells increase the amount of oxygen radicals and oxidative stress. Horses benefit from supplementing their food with vitamin E in situations when they suffer from low grade inflammation, so-called silent inflammation. For example, skin irritations or joint issues as well as hard physical strain can lead to low grade inflammation.

Nutrolin® Horse™ products contain natural vitamin E (d-alfa or RRR-tocopheryl). Natural vitamin E is 1.5 times more effective than commonly used forms of synthetic vitamin E (dl-alfa tocopheryl or all-rac-alfa tocopheryl).

All Nutrolin® Horse™ products contain enough natural vitamin E to meet the body’s needs. For example, a 500 kg horse gets a 500 mg daily dose of vitamin E from Nutrolin Horse Skin & Coat™.

Nutrolin® products are based on scientific research

We have developed oil supplements for horses to meet horses’ needs for essential fatty acids. An oil supplement that contains the right fatty acids is a lot more than just an energy boost. A combination of carefully selected fatty acids complemented with equally carefully selected nutrients can meet the nutritional needs that horses have in different situations. Head of our product development and research is Mikko Griinari, fatty acid researcher and Adjunct Professor in Animal Science at the University of Helsinki. Olini Oy is the Finnish family-owned company behind Nutrolin® products.

Nutrolin® Horse Skin & Coat™ oil supplement has been tested since 2010. It has worked extremely well in treatment of horses’ skin problems. The patented oil supplement has given good results as a supporting treatment for horses suffering from sweet itch (pruritis).

TRUE StORY

FINNHORSE MARELDA

GOT HELP WITH HER SWEET ITCH

Marelda is a nearly 20-year-old Finnhorse who participated in tests for Nutrolin® Horse Skin & Coat™oil supplement. Marelda has suffered from sweet itch all her life according to her owner Jolin Häll who is a Veterinary Nurse. Sometimes, Marelda has itched so violently that she has been left with hardly any mane and tail. At worst, she has itched so badly that her skin has bled. Jolin had tried all possible remedies: antihistamine, oils, creams and sweet itch blankets. Marelda has suffered from itching all summer until temperatures drop below zero again in late autumn. She got the worst symptoms after being bitten by Culicoides midges. As a result of the symptoms, the mare became reluctant and tired especially towards late summer.

According to Jolin, Marelda really benefited from Nutrolin® Horse Skin & Coat™ oil supplement. The oil was given together with food and reduced the symptoms of Marelda’s sweet itch. She itched less, her coat got its shine back and she started to feel a lot better. Jolin says that Skin & Coat™ has improved the resilience of Marelda’s skin and that her coat now changes more regularly.