Influence of parasitic load, breed, age, housing and season on skin and hair coat condition in horses.

BACKGROUND

Strongyles are nematode parasites that affect the large intestine and cecum of the horse, with symptoms ranging from poor hair coat to colic. This can influence gut health, nutrient absorption, and overall body condition.

AIMS/

OBJECTIVES

Determine the effects of parasitic load, breed, age, housing, and season on skin and hair coat conditions. We hypothesized that horses with low fecal egg counts would have better hair and skin coat condition compared with those with high fecal egg counts.

METHODS

A total of forty-five Morgan and 11 Thoroughbred horses were included in this study. We tested the effect of strongyle load on horse skin and hair conditions, while also evaluating the effects of breed (Morgan vs Thoroughbred), age (years), sex (mares vs non-mares), body weight, housing (four levels), and season (spring vs fall). Linear mixed models with random intercepts for each horse were used; hair luster was analyzed using a binomial mixed model based on the frequency of glossy coat observations per season.

RESULTS

Horses with higher parasitic loads had lower odds of glossy hair luster, compared with dull hair luster (P < 0.01). There was no significant association between load and any of the other outcomes (P > 0.1). Compared with Morgans, Thoroughbreds had decreased skin thickness (P < 0.01), lower odds of glossy hair luster (P < 0.01), decreased tail dryness (P < 0.05), and increased shedding (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Parasite load was significantly associated with hair luster in this study, and there was no association between parasite load and any other outcome.