Sterling and his sister Rose. IF your horses are still fuzzy, take care they don't get sweaty then chilled.
Warm days and cool nights in most parts of the country have critters of all types shedding. Dog hair, cat fur, horse hair, bunny fuzz – you name it, it’s probably shedding. My horse shoer was here the other day and as we were trimming ponies’ hooves, she commented on how nice the babies were turning out and that I should get a ‘family’ picture. We looked over the lineup all tied to the hitching post and she added that maybe I should wait until they had shed out and were looking a little less shabby! Talk then turned to the hassles involved with a shedding horse. Not just the flying fur but by the time you get them saddled up, the horse is already sweating. Possibly the biggest risk right now for horses that have spent the winter outdoors or without a blanket is when you have to trailer them, especially if they are going in a trailer load with other horses for any length of time. Horses produce a lot of body heat when in an enclosed area and can become quite uncomfortable in a short amount of time. The real danger is after unloading, they may be subject to cool breezes, then if you go for a ride let’s say, and they sweat again, you unsaddle and load them back into the trailer for the ride home – well, you get the picture I am sure. This can lead to colic or even colds.
So, what to do? Although brushing your horse this time of year always seems like an exercise in futility, it does help them shed the hair faster. Use a shedding blade and put a lightweight sheet on them whenever they are sweaty and in a breeze. Give them sips of water, preferably not ice cold, walk them till they are cool and keep an eye on them after you get home again.
Have a nice ride and don’t forget to stop by and visit us at The Well Traveled Pet!