Horse shedding season can be pretty challenging as horses shed their winter coats to adjust to the warmer temperatures of spring. But with the right tools and effective grooming, you can make shedding season manageable and enjoyable for you and your horse.
Understanding Horse Shedding Season
As the seasons shift, horses embrace a season of their own – shedding. This natural process is integral to horse care, and understanding it can help you better care for your horse.
What triggers shedding in horses?
Shedding in horses is primarily driven by changes in daylight and not temperature changes.
With the start of the longer days of spring, horses begin to shed their thick winter coats, making way for a lighter summer one. This phenomenon (known as photoperiodism) is a horse’s biological response to the changing daylight hours.
Do horses only shed in the spring?
Horses do not only shed in spring. They undergo a continuous cycle of hair growth and shedding throughout the year.
The most noticeable shedding, however, occurs in spring when they lose their winter coats.
What month do horses start shedding their winter coat?
Horses typically start shedding their winter coats in late January and early February, influenced by the lengthening daylight after the winter solstice. The exact timing can vary between horses but generally follows this seasonal pattern.
Do horses shed in the summer?
Yes! As the days shorten after the summer solstice, horses will shed their summer coat and grow thicker coats in preparation for winter.
The Horse Shedding Process
The shedding process in horses happens twice yearly (at the start of spring and the end of summer) as horses switch between their winter and summer coats.
The winter coat, dense and fluffy, acts as an insulating layer to protect horses from harsh winter temperatures. As spring arrives, this thick coat is replaced by a sleeker, shorter summer coat that allows better heat dissipation.
Here’s a breakdown of a horse’s shedding process:
- Approximately 6 weeks after daylight increases or decreases, horses begin shedding their winter or summer coats.
- Horses often begin shedding from their buttocks first, then the process continues over the rest of their body. This pattern can vary among individual horses, but the buttocks area is commonly where owners may first notice shedding.
This transition might seem sudden, but it’s a gradual process, requiring regular grooming sessions to help your horse shed comfortably.
And while shedding is a natural process, each horse’s “shedding schedule” may vary. Some horses may hold onto their coats longer than others, but typically, an individual’s shedding pattern will be consistent from year to year.
Grooming Tips for Horse Shedding Season
Effective grooming during shedding season not only helps remove loose horse hair but also stimulates blood flow to the skin, aids in distributing natural oils, and provides an opportunity to check for skin issues.
Here are a few essential tools you’ll need:
- Stiff-bristled brush: This tool effectively catches and removes the dense winter coat. However, they should be used gently to avoid irritating the skin.
Tail Tamers Synthetic Small Wild Colors Brush
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- Shedding rake or blade: It’s designed to reach deep into your horse’s coat to remove loose hair without tugging or pulling.
Partrade, Black Metal Shedding Blade with Grip
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- Soft-bristled brush: This brush is ideal for sensitive areas like the face and legs. They can also remove finer hair and dust after using a stiff-bristled brush.
Decker, Teal & White The Pony Soft Brush, #27
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- Curry comb: Curry combs help to bring loose hairs to the surface, making it easier for other brushes to remove them. They’re also great for stimulating circulation to the skin.
Durvet, Jumbo Metal Spiral Curry Comb
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- Mane and tail brush: Essential for detangling and smoothing the horse’s mane and tail, minimizing breakage and pulling.
Tail Tamer Mod Paddle Brush - Assorted
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- Detangler spray: Applied to the mane and tail to ease brushing, reduce knots, and enhance shine without causing damage.
Laser Sheen Shine & Detangler Spray, 32 oz.
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- Grooming block: A tool that helps remove loose hair, dirt, and dander from the coat. Ideal for lifting away the last bits of hair, especially during shedding season.
Farnam, Slick 'N Easy Grooming Block
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- Grooming cloth or mitt: This tool is gentle enough for the horse’s entire body and can apply a shine to the coat or pick up any remaining dust after brushing.
- Horse hair polish: A finishing product that adds shine and smoothness to your horse’s coat, mane, and tail while also helping to repel dust and dirt.
Absorbine ShowSheen Horse Hair Polish & Detangler 32 oz.
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Remember, while these tools aid the shedding process, nothing replaces regular, thorough grooming.
How often should I groom my horse when it’s shedding?
During shedding season, grooming your horse daily is the most beneficial. This helps manage the shedding and allows you to check for any skin issues or irritations that may arise from the shedding process.
In what order do you groom a shedding horse?
When grooming a shedding horse, it’s best to start at the top of the horse’s body and work your way down. Starting from the top and working your way down helps ensure you don’t miss any parts of the horse’s body and follows a natural and efficient sequence for grooming.
Always groom in the direction of the hair growth and adjust your tool’s pressure based on your horse’s reactions and the sensitivity of the area you’re working on.
Here’s a more detailed approach to help you get started:
- Begin with the neck: Start grooming on one side of the horse’s neck, using your curry comb or shedding blade. This allows the horse to get used to the sensation of grooming, especially with the shedding tools, which can be a bit more intense than regular grooming tools.
- Move to the shoulder and body: After the neck, progress to the shoulder. Continue along the horse’s back, sides, and belly. This helps to loosen and remove the most hair while being comfortable for the horse.
- Hindquarters and haunches: Once you’ve covered the main body, move towards the hindquarters and haunches. These areas can accumulate a lot of loose hair, so spend adequate time here.
- Legs last: The legs should be groomed last with a shedding tool, and you should switch to a softer tool like a rubber curry comb for this sensitive area. Be gentle and thorough, paying attention to both the front and back legs.
- Sensitive areas: For the face, ears, and around the eyes, use a softer brush or cloth. Be extra gentle to avoid startling or hurting the horse.
How do I groom a horse during shedding season?
Grooming a horse that is shedding its coat requires patience and the right tools to remove loose hair and maintain the horse’s skin health.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to grooming a shedding horse:
- Start with a curry comb or shedding blade: If your horse has dried mud on their hair, start with the curry comb since it pulls less. Brush the curry comb or shedding blade over the horse’s coat. This helps loosen and remove the bulk of the shedding hair. Be gentle around sensitive areas to avoid irritating the skin.
- Use a stiff brush: After you’ve removed the loose hair, use a stiff-bristled brush to remove dirt and hair from the horse’s coat. This also helps bring natural oils to the surface to promote a healthy shine.
- Follow with a soft brush: A soft-bristled brush can be used next to remove finer particles and dust from the horse’s coat. This brush is also suitable for sensitive areas where a stiff brush may be too harsh.
- Don’t forget the face and legs: Use a soft brush or a damp cloth to gently clean the horse’s face and legs, being careful around the eyes and ears.
- Clean the hooves: Pick out the horse’s hooves to remove debris and check for any issues like stones, cracks, or thrush. Remove any caked-on dirt from the coronet and apply a hoof conditioner. Read more about horse hoof care here.
- Finish with a grooming cloth or mitt: Finally, you can use a grooming cloth or mitt to give the coat a final wipe-down. This helps remove any remaining loose hair and dust to leave a smooth, clean coat.
What helps a horse shed out?
Helping a horse shed its winter coat more efficiently involves good grooming techniques, proper nutrition, and sometimes even environmental adjustments.
Here’s how you can help your horse shed out their winter coat:
- Regular grooming: Regular grooming is the most direct way to help a horse shed. Daily grooming sessions during peak shedding periods can significantly accelerate the process.
- Proper nutrition: A balanced diet is crucial for a healthy coat and can aid in shedding. Ensure your horse’s diet is rich in essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals that promote skin health and hair growth. Supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids, flaxseed, or other sources of healthy fats can improve coat condition and make it easier for old hair to shed.
- Adequate hydration: Proper hydration is essential for overall health and can influence the condition of the horse’s skin and coat. Make sure your horse has access to clean, fresh water at all times.
- Lighting and temperature: Horses naturally begin to shed their coats in response to increasing daylight, signaling the approach of spring. For horses kept indoors, mimicking natural light patterns with artificial lighting can help regulate their shedding cycle.
- Exercise: Regular exercise can improve circulation, support skin health, and promote a smoother shedding process. It also helps manage the horse’s weight, influencing skin and coat health.
- Bathing: While too frequent bathing can strip natural oils from the coat, an occasional bath with a mild shampoo can help loosen and remove dead hair. Be sure to choose a warmer day to avoid chilling the horse, and use a curry comb during the bath to maximize hair removal.
Grooming for Horse Shedding Season Success
Remember, consistent care is key to a healthy, happy horse, and the effort you put into grooming during shedding season will reflect in the quality of your horse’s coat and overall well-being.
