Spring is here! Your horses winter coats are loosening, and the slick summer coat is trying to come out. Winter coats provide essential protection from the frigid temperatures, winds, snow and ice, but shedding it is a natural process. As the daylight hours and temperatures begin to increase in the springtime, you’ll notice that the thick, long winter hair starts to shed.
There are several safe, easy ways to help your horse lose its overgrown winter coat.
- The natural process
The natural process is exactly what it sounds like – allowing your horse to naturally shed their winter coat. Horse owners that decide to do nothing about the shedding process will allow the coat to naturally fall out. The problem with this method, is that it takes MUCH longer than most methods.
- Elbow Grease
Some good old fashion elbow grease and TLC! Use a select number of grooming tools to shed your horse out. A few of these tools include a curry comb, shedding brush, body brush, shedding block, etc. Grooming your horse thoroughly for a few weeks will help loosen that winter coat. This is the most common and cost-effective method.
- Break out the clippers
In a few hours, your horse’s winter coat can be completely removed. After your horse is clipped, they should be bathed, brushed, and groomed normally. You should only body clip your horse if you know what you are doing. This is process takes a few hours at a time and there are many different types of clips that can be done. If you are not experienced in this, look into hiring a professional to clip your horse. Using clippers is also a great opportunity to desensitize your horse to noises around his face, ears, and legs.
- Exercise your horse
This will stimulate circulation and coat health. Lunge him, ride him, or just take him for a walk. And once you have completed your work out, get grooming. You will see his coat and excess hair comes off easier.
- Coat supplement
For horses with dry, damaged, or dandruff-y skin and coats a coat supplement can help give them a better winter and summer coat, making shedding season an easier experience. Shedding is inevitable but these 5 ways can help to speed up the process unless using the natural process. Happy Spring!
