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Written by: Jessica Konopinski
Published on: 04/26/2023
Picture this. You spend hours grooming your horse or even body clip them to avoid the unwanted stress (and massive amount of hair) that comes with shedding season to only reveal your horse's dull summer coat. What went wrong?
Shedding season is right around the corner and as many of us know, it can be a huge time commitment to make sure our horses are shedding healthfully in order to show a shiny summer coat. To make sure you’re checking all the boxes, we put together a few things to consider this shedding season and get through it with ease.
No matter how much you groom your horse, if they have poor nutrition, you are going to be fighting an uphill battle trying to deliver the richness from your horse's coat. Besides the basic nutritional needs of a horse, make sure your horse is getting enough amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. If you think their basic forage and feed may not be cutting it consider adding in a supplement and determine if your horse has enough protein in their diet. There are tons of supplements that can help with this and if you’re unsure of where to start, always consult with your veterinarian.
Believe it or not, internal and external parasites can wreak havoc on a horse's coat.[1] If your horse is not on a regular deworming schedule, be sure to implement this. If you’re not a fan of deworming, consider doing a fecal test to confirm your horse is free of any worms and parasites.
To avoid and prevent external parasites from spreading it is highly encouraged to check your horse's coat for any bites, blisters, and scabs. Treat these accordingly and always reach out to your veterinarian.
It's true, currying is key! By currying your horse regularly you will be able to remove old dirt, hair and debris encouraging the winter coat to shed faster and the summer coat to come in gleaming. Always be sure to curry going in a circular motion, gently massaging your horse and be aware of any sensitive areas your horse may be reactive to.
A great way to ensure consistency and efficiency is by timing yourself on each side of your horse while currying. For example, you can make it a goal to curry on each side for seven minutes everyday. Not only will this result in a gorgeous summer coat, but also provide your horse with some much needed massage and TLC!
Shedding blades can seem intimidating, but don’t let that prevent you from giving them a try. Shedding blades are a great option in addition to currying especially if your horse has a dense winter coat. There are tons of options out there so be sure to play around and determine what works best for you and your horse. Always be cautious when first attempting to use a shedding blade on your horse as some can respond sensitively to it.
The amount of daylight hours your horses are exposed to will determine how fast they shed out their coats, not the temperate outside. A way to speed up your horse's shedding process is by exposing them to artificial life that mimics daylight. The best way to determine this is by utilizing a 200-watt bulb for a 12-foot by 12-foot stall [1]. This will trick your horse's body into thinking it is closer to the next season than it actually is. Cool right?
We’ve all experienced the feeling of our hand cramping up while vigorously currying our horse. If this is a common occurrence for you, grooming gloves can be a great alternative. Similarly to a curry comb, grooming gloves offer the exfoliation and ridges to lift the dirt and hair. Grooming gloves also serve as a great way to get into the small or more sensitive areas of your horse like the legs and face by providing more flexibility. Again, there are tons of options out there so be sure to experiment and choose what is most appropriate for your horse.
If you notice your horse is too sensitive for a shedding blade or even certain curry combs, don’t panic. Grooming blocks are an excellent alternative for sensitive horses with behavior issues relating to grooming. Similar to a shedding blade, a grooming block removes hair and dirt using fiberglass instead of blades or ridges. When used regularly you will notice your horse's coat being much more sleek and shiny.
✅ Single ingredient, 100% pure Camelina Oil.
✅ Non-GMO
✅ Ideal balance of Omega-3 compared to other products, like soybean oil.
✅ Canadian produced and operated.
✅ Single ingredient, 100% pure Camelina Oil.
✅ Non-GMO
✅ Ideal balance of Omega-3 compared to other products, like soybean oil.
✅ Canadian produced and operated.
Jessica is a brand consultant who brings awareness and intention to equestrian and pet platforms. As a former collegiate equestrian athlete and animal lover, Jessica leads with passion and experience through her writing and brand work for companies who advocate for creating a difference in their space. When she's not riding her horse or walking her dog (with iced coffee in hand), you can find her sharing her love for health and wellness with others and integrating these practices in her everyday work.
