It's not always a pleasant time when your horse is shedding. The hair flies everywhere and sticks to just about everything. On top of that, the shedding period costs your horse or pony a lot of energy. Fortunately, you can support your horse with proper nutrition and care to help them get through this (often difficult) transition!
When does a horse shed?
A horse sheds twice a year: in the summer and in the winter. However, this process is not triggered by temperature changes. Instead, daylight is the signal. When the days get longer, the horse’s pituitary gland releases hormones that signal the winter coat to shed. When the days get shorter again, the summer coat is replaced by the thicker winter coat.
It’s usually the loss of the winter coat that causes issues, especially if the horse isn’t in top condition. In those cases, your horse may need a bit of help.
How can you help your horse during shedding?
Several factors influence the shedding process, such as healthy skin circulation, which can be supported both internally and externally. Proper nutrition is key to providing the building blocks your horse needs. Both forage and concentrate feed should be of high quality. While all nutrients affect the coat to some degree, fats, minerals, and especially B-vitamins have a visible impact.
Here are some practical tips:
Grooming
Help your horse shed by giving them a thorough grooming session that massages the skin and boosts blood circulation, which helps the coat loosen more easily. Horses also tend to feel itchier during this time and really appreciate a good brushing.
A rubber curry comb works well, though it can fill up quickly during heavy shedding. You might also try special grooming blocks or rubber grooming gloves to remove loose hair more effectively.
Extra Protein
Make sure your horse’s diet includes enough protein, a key building block especially important during the shedding phase. The demand for protein is slightly higher than usual at this time.
Plenty of Exercise
Movement also supports blood circulation, which in turn promotes shedding. Go for training sessions or even just a pleasant walk together.
Lots of Daylight
Because daylight triggers shedding, it’s helpful to expose your horse to as much natural light as possible. Being outdoors also naturally encourages movement—double benefit!
Extra Vitamins
Shedding can be very energy-intensive for some horses. This may be due to insufficient natural vitamin B production. Give your horse a vitamin boost if they’re struggling, such as a course of Pavo MultiVit15, which delivers an extra dose of vitamins to support immunity and restore energy and vitality.
A Boost for the Coat
Offer your horse a nice bucket of mash. Oil-rich feeds like Pavo SlobberMash may not directly influence the shedding process but can improve coat shine. Or try one of our new oil supplements:
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If your horse just needs more shine, try Pavo LinseedOil.
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If your horse has more serious coat or skin issues, Pavo OmegaFit may help.
Made from Ahiflower, OmegaFit has a uniquely powerful fatty acid profile unlike other plant-based oils.
Written by Pavo.
