From the evidence on your fleece jacket and truck upholstery, it’s clear: Shedding season has begun. Shedding begins in some horses by mid-February and in others later. But, by the end of March, every horse in your barn should be losing his winter coat.
The Ins and Outs of Shedding
Shedding is a complex physiological process that can tell you a lot about your horse’s health. It’s linked to photoperiods: As the hours of daylight increase, a horse’s winter coat begins to loosen and shed. This process started way back in late December, but you usually won’t see the obvious, hairy results until early March.
Some horses hang on to their coats longer than others, but an individual’s shedding “schedule” will typically be consistent from year to year. Along the same lines, some horses shed out in a particular pattern each year, losing hair from their necks first, for instance, then along their flanks. It’s worrisome, however, if a horse isn’t shedding out as he usually would.
What If Your Horse Isn’t Shedding Yet?
It’s important to note which horses aren’t shedding. Holding on to a thick, winter coat is a hallmark of the metabolic disorder pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID, aka Cushing’s disease). Horses with PPID also tend to shed the long “cat hairs” under their bellies and chins last. So, the sudden appearance of that pattern is cause for concern.
If your hairy horse hasn’t been diagnosed with PPID—especially if he’s older—ask your veterinarian about the possibility. These horses are more likely to develop laminitis, so it’s important to get a diagnosis and begin treatment as soon as possible.
Also call the veterinarian if your horse has been diagnosed with PPID and is under treatment but still seems to be shedding slowly. His medication dose might need to be adjusted.
Finally, although it’s much rarer than metabolic disease, horses with significant blindness might be slow to shed. Their eyes cannot register the daylight cues that trigger the process.
Strange Shedding Patterns
Some horses are patchy shedders, meaning they will lose large swaths of hair on one part of their body and then another. This looks odd—or even unsightly—for a few weeks, but it isn’t a sign of illness. It’s just a congenital quirk. Likewise, some horses will lose fine, outer layers of skin as they shed. This can look alarming but is also harmless. If you’re concerned with how your shedding horse looks, take a photo, send it to your veterinarian, and ask if it’s time to worry.
Related Reading:
- Horse Spring Shedding Simplified: Tips, Tools, and Techniques
- How to Body Clip a Horse: Tips and Patterns
- A Healthy Coat Means a Happy Horse
This article originally appeared on Equus Magazine.
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