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  Discussion on When do horses finish shedding their winter coat?
Author Message
Member:
mysi

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 6, 2010 - 9:31 pm:

This is my third real winter here in NC. My first my horses got here in the winter from FL already clipped so they were blanketed all winter. Last year the grew out full winter coats and shed at what I remember being an appropriate time. This year all 4 still have a good part of their winter coats. They are all shedding but it seemed like they were done by the time it got hot last year. Is there a specific time when they are completely shed or is there a big variance? We did have a hard winter here and it went from winter weather to upper 80's to low 90's overnight it seemed. Does that have a factor in it too?
Member:
canter

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 7, 2010 - 7:28 am:

Melissa, I don't have the scientific answer for you, but here, in SW MI, all the horses at the barn still have a lot of their winter coats left (and it hit the 80s last week, but I believe coat growth is related to daylight hours, not temps)...and this is no different this year than any other year. If I remember correctly, my mare usually has lost the remainder of her winter coat usually by mid-May.
Member:
hpyhaulr

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 7, 2010 - 8:11 am:

Melissa,
I am not far from you in SC... since this unusual heat I have been using the shed blades every day. The minis gave up their coats instantly. They are just about shed out completely after one week of this. My paintXdraft was next in shed volume (this is his first year here, he came from Arizona in July), the Quarter horses are still shedding although less significantly but my donkey has not given up his coat one little bit. Historically we have shaved him in May and again in August(that's when we usually get this heat) but I am wondering if we are doing him a favor. I can usually get some from him, but this year....nothing. I am thinking that you are OK as long as they are still shedding. We will be cooler after the storms due tomorrow, and I wonder what effect that will have on their shedding.Let us know if that slows your process down further?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 7, 2010 - 12:53 pm:

A big variance between horses is normal. The main control is daylight length but I think temperatures play a role too.
DrO
Member:
cometrdr

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 7, 2010 - 2:22 pm:

You know I am not a scientist - but I think Fresh Green stuff helps too. Maybe its the coincicence of Green Stuff, Daylight and Heat that does it but once I let my guys get some Fresh Green Succlent Grass - off the hair comes!
Member:
dsibley

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 7, 2010 - 10:42 pm:

Mine always seem to let loose with their first good bath. I wait until it is above 70 degrees, bathe them with warm water and a medicated shampoo the first time. I scrub 'heartedly' with a rubber brush. The hair I get off, even after a good groom prior to the bath, is phenomenal. The next day I get a good shed as well.

Most of mine are still hairy, even in the MW. Hmmm...do they know something??
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