Shedding tips

If your show horse hasn’t already started shedding or isn’t slick enough for the early shows, there are some ways you can expedite the process for an impressive high-gloss coat in the ring.

A healthy horse normally sheds twice a year in outdoor conditions with cold winters and warm summers. First, she sheds her lighter summer coat in the fall, which is replaced by a longer, fuzzier coat for winter. Second, she sheds her heavier coat in the spring to prepare for summer’s heat. Several factors can play a role in shedding, and should be taken into consideration if your horse is slow to lose her wooly hair.

1. Weather. Although horses normally shed in spring and fall, severely cold or hot weather can delay this process. However, since exposure to daylight hours is the major contributing factor to shedding, it’s important to realize your horse may start shedding her long, protective coat as soon as the days get longer—possibly before it stays consistently warm outside. In that case, stabling or a blanket may be necessary until the temperature warms up.

2. Nutrition. Poor nutrition or health can delay the process. Some feeds and supplements on the market claim to expedite shedding; depending on their ingredients, they may or may not actually do so. Proteins, biotin, fatty acids and zinc are needed for hair growth, and are often found in hoof supplements. Many showmen know that hoof supplements such as Farrier’s Formula are also widely used to grow luxurious manes and tails. Therefore, a proper diet with the right combination of calories and the addition of some fats, vitamins, minerals and protein should help.

3. Health. Older horses, ponies or light-colored horses may have a denser hair coat that takes longer to shed. But if they don’t drop the coat at all, you may want to have your vet check for Cushing’s disease, a pituitary gland disorder that’s ultimately fatal but can often be maintained for years once diagnosed. A persistent long hair coat can also be a sign of worms, and it’s not uncommon for a horse to rapidly shed its coat after being de-wormed. Make sure your horse is on a regular de-worming schedule.

4. Daylight. To encourage early shedding, simply expose your horse to enough light to simulate daytime in a small paddock or stall. Keep the lights on the same amount of time her daylight exposure will be, which can be from 12–14 hours. Some folks also use heat lamps and believe that the combination of heat and light expedites the process even more.

Most professionals who’ve shown horses have a few of their own secrets to help a horse shed. Feel free to try some of these other tips:

• Body shave. Using a size 10 blade about 30 days prior to the show allows re-growth that looks natural and covers mistakes. There’s some argument whether this actually creates a heavier, longer coat the following year. However, those who do believe in body clipping like the results. Never use dull blades or allow them to become too hot; those are the main contributors to a really bad clip job.

• Try a hot bath. Many pros say a hot, soapy bath in an indoor area that’s draft-free will trigger shedding. Also, some horse shampoos make the same claim, and it wouldn’t hurt to give them a try.

• Additional fat. Applying some vegetable oil to your horse’s feed may help her shed and add extra shine to her summer coat.

• Grooming. Whether they prefer a metal shedding blade or rubber curry comb, most show people agree it’s brush, brush, brush to expedite shedding. Some say metal splits the hair, so they prefer rubber as a less damaging alternative. As with anything, consult with a successful professional that you admire and get some tips for your program.

Compiled by Doreen Shumpert

Printed in the April 2007 issue of Appaloosa Journal.

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