When Do Horses Shed Their Winter Coats?
- Aug 14, 2020
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 24
Horses typically begin shedding their winter coat between late autumn and early spring, with most horses fully shed out by mid-May. Their summer coat begins growing as daylight hours increase and temperatures rise.
Shedding is a natural process, but the rate of coat change can vary based on the horse’s environment, care routine, and overall health.
What Triggers Winter Coat Growth in Horses?
So when do horses shed their winter coat? A horse’s winter coat begins to grow during late summer and thickens throughout autumn. A few cold nights are enough to stimulate hair growth, even before significant weather changes are felt.
The new coat helps insulate the horse through winter, but some owners choose to body clip their horses to manage sweat and hygiene during work or competition.
The rate at which the winter coat grows in is influenced by autumn temperatures - a few nippy nights will cause horses to grow their winter hair faster.
In the spring, the shedding out process is triggered by the lengthening day light as well as warmer temperatures.
The long winter coat may be altered for winter by body clipping or by blanketing. An un-clipped coat is usually softer and richer in colour than if it was clipped. If you choose to keep the coat short by clipping , remember that the horse needs more care. He is very vulnerable to drafts, yet he needs fresh air and good ventilation.
Clipped vs Unclipped Coats: What’s the Difference?
An unclipped coat is often softer and richer in colour. If you choose to clip your horse’s coat, it’s important to provide extra care:
Use properly fitting, clean blankets
Remove or add rugs as temperatures change
Check the horse’s skin daily for irritation
Wash with warm water or a gentle body wash
His blankets must be clean, must fit properly and must be added or taken off when the temperature changes. The skin must be inspected after every ride and washed with clean water, or a little body wash may be added.
Why Isn’t My Horse Shedding?
If you find your horse isn't shedding his coat, we would recommend you seek Veterinary advice and have a blood test done on your horse. From the results, your vet can ascertain whether your horse is suffering with Cushings Disease. Equine's Cushing Disease is correctly known as Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID).
How to Help Your Horse Shed Its Coat Faster
To help your horse shed it's coat faster the first tool to use is a Clipit Hand Groomer to loosen the dirt, scurf and dandruff and massage the skin and muscle beneath the coat. These bendable gloves can flex with your hand so you can bear down and massage the skin as well. Too many people buy a stiff curry comb and then cannot use it because the horse will not tolerate it.
Give a light massage and you will find the loose undercoat will start to shed. Instead of a plastic currycomb, a shedding blade can be used to shed out the long winter hair in the spring. It has a flexible blade with a serrated edge for shedding; the smooth edge can be used as a sweet scraper. Don't bend it backward or the blade will break. Be adventuresome and try a cactus cloth. The cloth is made from the fibres of the maguey plant. It contains a little natural oil and helps to shine the coat. The rough surface makes it easy to scrub away sweat marks and dried mud. Cactus cloths are available as a large grooming cloth or in the form of a mitt backed with fleece.
Grooming Is About More Than Hair
Daily grooming helps you monitor your horse’s overall health. Pay attention to:
Skin condition (dryness, lumps, scabs)
Reaction to touch (tension, flinching)
Coat shine and softness
Any signs of discomfort
Your horse’s skin and coat can tell you a lot about their internal health.
Final Thought
Grooming helps your horse feel better, look better, and stay healthier. With the right tools and routine, you can support a smooth spring coat transition and spot any early health concerns.
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