When is Horse Shedding Season?
- Aug 14, 2020
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 7
Horse shedding season starts 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 Horses to shed coat?
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.
Best clothing for horse shedding season
Clipping a horse can be a messy, sweaty, and hairy job—but with the right clothing, it doesn’t have to be. The best clothing for horse clipping should protect you from flying hair, mud, dust, and sweat, while keeping you cool and comfortable through every session.
The Clipit™ Suit: The No.1 Choice for Horse Clippers
Designed by professionals for professionals, the Clipit™ Suit has become the go-to gear for horse clippers across the UK and beyond. Here’s why:
✅ Hair-Resistant Fabric
The ClipIt™ Suit is made from specially woven fabric that repels hair, so you won’t be peeling off layers of itchy debris at the end of the day.
✅ Water, Mud & Hay Protection
Whether you're clipping a sweaty horse or working in a dusty stable, the suit offers a protective barrier against water splashes, muddy legs, and loose hay.
✅ Full-Body Coverage
With long sleeves, straight zipped legs, and elasticated cuffs, it provides complete coverage—perfect for working around sensitive horses that kick up dirt or hair.
✅ Easy On, Easy Off
The straight-leg zips allow you to pull the suit on or off over your boots—no need to undress in the tack room!
✅ Machine-Washable & Fast-Drying
Daily use? No problem. The Clipit™ Suit is built to last and washes up beautifully after even the muddiest clipping session.
✅ Designed for Comfort
With a generous cut for layering and reinforced elbows and knees, the suit gives you freedom to move while working around horses.
🎨 Stylish & Functional Colour Options
Choose from professional colour ways like:
Black with Burgundy Piping
Navy with Silver Piping
Navy with Red Piping (featuring elasticated leg cuffs)
And our limited 10-Year Anniversary Edition in Pink Blush with Purple Piping!
🐴 The Bottom Line
The best clothing for horse clipping doesn’t just protect you—it helps you focus on the job without distractions. The ClipIt™ Suit is a favourite among professional clippers, yard staff, and grooming teams because it does exactly that.
Whether you're prepping for a show or doing a spring tidy-up, stay clean, dry, and hair-free with the Clipit™ Suit—trusted worldwide for over a decade.
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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