Posted 2012-03-18 9:18 AM (#142235) Subject: Shedding out
Regular
Posts: 79
Location: Hopkinsville, Ky
I have always let my horses shed out on their own. Maybe brushing them every couple days to speed it along. I need to get my daughters horse shed of slick in exactly one month. How can I speed this process along, and will I get it as slick as want to? I have body clipped many mules in my life, and also wondered if this was advisable?
Posted 2012-03-20 8:03 AM (#142318 - in reply to #142235) Subject: RE: Shedding out
Expert
Posts: 2614
Is it time for your worming schedule? I have found that when I worm my horses in the spring (I do so every 2 mo) that for some reason,it really takes off.
Have you ever tried a grooming tool called the "furminator"? I think it was first made for dogs,I bought mine that is sized for equines from EBay a lot cheaper than in the stores.It works great!
Posted 2012-03-20 9:00 AM (#142321 - in reply to #142235) Subject: RE: Shedding out
Expert
Posts: 2453
Location: Northern Utah
I've heard, but never tried, So you probably want to ask others.
Others have told me that massaging in baby oil into the horses coat will help loosen the old hairs roots. Allowing the old hair to slip and shed out faster. Just something I've heard over the years
Posted 2012-03-22 2:55 PM (#142386 - in reply to #142235) Subject: RE: Shedding out
New User
Posts: 2
Location: Eureka MO
I am all for body clipping. I dont know what I would do with out it. I live in missouri and the weather can change to crazy extremes so I have plenty of blankets to compensate if it gets cold. So, If you have blankets/sheets and can clip your horse... DO IT. you wont regret it.
Posted 2012-03-22 5:07 PM (#142390 - in reply to #142386) Subject: RE: Shedding out
Expert
Posts: 2614
I live in AR,and,the weather extremes can be the same.However,my horses live outside most of the year,and I do have blankets,but,I don't believe in body clipping horses that are outdoors,nor am I going to struggle around with blankets most of the winter,either. I think that's fine for folks that show or ride in winter on a real regular basis,but,not for me.to me,in our particular situation,it is unnatural just for my convenience.
Posted 2012-03-25 10:29 PM (#142486 - in reply to #142482) Subject: RE: Shedding out
Elite Veteran
Posts: 781
Location: La Cygne, KS
I use the large dog size on the horses. Ebay or craigslist would offer cheaper option. Bought mine three years ago for $25 on ebay. Still works great and I think it is worth the money.
Posted 2012-03-25 11:19 PM (#142487 - in reply to #142235) Subject: RE: Shedding out
Elite Veteran
Posts: 610
Location: Northern CA
I guess we should be asking... are you doing this for shows? If so, clipping will not make for a shiny coat. If you are wanting the shiny coat... rice bran and curry curry curry. Also put a mid-weight blanket on the horse every night. That will make the horse shed out quik. If the days are cooler or windy, put a sheet on for the day to keep out mud and dirt. ( will also keep the day chill out)
Posted 2012-03-26 10:40 AM (#142496 - in reply to #142482) Subject: RE: Shedding out
Expert
Posts: 2614
Originally written by bigfoot on 2012-03-25 9:26 PM
That Furminator is REALLY expensive. Are yaw sure its woth it? I'll buy one if it will slick her horse off.
Keep looking on EBay.I don't know what you consider expensive,I got mine for about $20 or so,and they sell in stores for a lot more.Keep watching EBay,you'll find one.
Cheapest one I found on Ebay,for now.They come up cheaper on there,tho,if you want to wait.Or check on Craigslist or maybe some other sites,might find one at a closeout site or something.They're nice.
Posted 2012-03-27 6:30 PM (#142546 - in reply to #142235) Subject: RE: Shedding out
Regular
Posts: 51
Location: VA
Brushing won't help as much as a "shedding blade", the long narrow metal type with close set small "teeth" that you can use in both hands. These work well to help pull the loose hair out. When I "bladed" a horse today I had a small pile of loose hair around the horse. After daily use for a week, I can see a big difference. Probably works like the Furminator, but very cheap item. Either one will add to your allergies.
Posted 2012-03-28 8:59 AM (#142567 - in reply to #142235) Subject: RE: Shedding out
Expert
Posts: 1723
Location: michigan
I used to body clip for shows every spring. Wash the horse then apply showsheen. When horse is dry clip with a wide 10 and have two..one for each side. Don't go below the knees or hocks as you can do them later. if your horse has been well fed a solid high fat diet their coat will look great in a few days or so. if not it will be dry because it is. You can help it out a bit by rinsing the horse in oil bath- you can either buy hair coat oil for horses or buy a bunch of those human oil treatment tubes and add them to warm water. Rinse and then throw on a sheet. let the horse stand there for a hour or so. You can do this a few times a week. Don't wash the horse after a clip for a few weeks to allow the oils to come back. Keep a sheet on them after that to help the oils and to keep the hair flatter. I have never had any luck with additives to get them to shed out sooner. The best way to get less hair is to keep them well blanketed all winter to discourage thick hair growth.