Is this normal for end of summer/beginning of fall or something I should be concerned about? I don't think it is fungal but was debating getting some kind of antibacterial soap to give him a good wash just incase. Just kinda bummed because he is 3ish weeks on grain and I guess I was expecting him to be all shiny and pretty like half the reviews say he should be. >.> LOL!

The other thing is could it be caused by parasites? He's due to be dewormed but I've been putting it off because everywhere I look it says to do a fecal egg count and honestly I just haven't had time to do it. I've seen about 5 million different opinions on how/when/what to deworm with and my brain literally just wants to explode.

Any advice appreciated!

Give him a good wash down with an antifungal just to do it. Wont hurt if thats not it. And if you can, give a good conditioning after washing (i think its ok to do. Havent washed with antifungal in a loooong time).

Also there are other topicals or feed throughs to get that shiny coat. Some horses respond good to things some dont. But Biomane is a great supplement for coats and manes (a teeny bit expensive) and there also various topicals that enhance the coats and work fabulously too.

As for worming. Everyone will say differently.. some say once a month. Some say once every 6. Overuse can cause resistance which is not good at all. Cause it wont always get all the worms. Id just ask whatever your vet thinks (and you could do the counts just to see if he does actually need it) and ask for the top few products and alternate to keep resistance at a minimum

Antifungal resistance is a thing, too.

He's getting his feets done today and I'm going to give him a regular bath to shine him up. First stop is going to be getting a poo sample to the vet to do a fecal egg count because it could be worms and I need to deworm him. Going to go from there. Just wanted to get other's thoughts. :) I don't really want to put him on a bunch of expensive supplements if I don't have to. 1) I can't afford a bunch of stuff and 2) we aren't showing or doing anything crazy so he doesn't need to look like a 100k show pony - I just want to make sure he's healthy and happy. :D

Also if you bathe him use a conditioner. I wash then condition. I use Equifuse. Absolutely love the stuff! It's fantastic. I have 6 adult horses of my own and two foals. So I totally hear you on the 100K show pony part.

Ace - I've read a lot of good things about flaxseed, how is it fed? Is it something I can just dump dry into his grain baggies or how is it done?

I feed it dry. So much easier. You can get the oils and others tell me they see a difference faster, but it really just depends on you and how/ when you feed. I get a 40# bag from the feed store of regular flax seeds mine get 1-2 cups a day. While it doesn't get them as "plump" as fast as soy rations I like it much better. I've also fed apple cider vinegar. Didn't see much difference honestly. It's also a pain in the arse to feed and I don't feel comfortable prepping that the night before. With one horses though I am certain it is much easier lol

https://www.equinemedsurg.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/sweetitchwholehorse1.jpg

It could be irritated skin becoming more aggravated by the transition of coats. A warm, medicated bath could at least help clear the loose hair and skin so you can get a better look.

Is he allergic to any of the products you are using?

Flaxseed and other nutritional oils can be added to his feed to improve coat quality.