Encouraging a summer coat.

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SonnysHumanSlave

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My boys live out 24/7 and i want to know if theres any way i can speed up them getting a summer coat??

they are still in new zealands, but they are in winter coats still, which are no good for showing.

So is there anything I can do or give to help them shed into their summer coats???
 
I'm interested in this too, as my Welshie had a chaser clip back in November and still has a very obvious line, despite lots of moulting.
 
I am in a yard where the YO is very into her showing (and has done it at a very high level before) so she doesn't think anything of clipping hers again. I had always been taught this would spoil the summer coat but have to say it doesnt seem to make any difference to her horses coat when she does it. I gave mine a full clip but left on his legs till the last one when I then took those off too... but he is currently moulting which I had hoped to avoid!
 
To encourage a summer coat,there are a couple of tricks to remember.

To moult properly,they must be warm,also there needs to be as much daylight as possible.

I have a couple of ponies,one of which has got a full summer coat already. This has been done quite easily. She lived out until the beginning of February rugless so had a healthy full and very thick winter coat. She was brought in from field and rugged,and I mean very well rugged. Hooded as well. She wore up to 3 stables rugs over night and at least one in the day,and always hooded. I also leave the stable lights on until late at night....11 ish. This fooled her body into thinking it was spring.

Old tricks of the trade.....the only way for early shows....

She also goes out every day in field for relax time....still well rugged,but if sunny,then a lightweight t/o or flysheet to keep coat covered.

She will continue like this until the shows finish now and then be turned out after to chillax and just be a horse again for at least 3 months.
 
TBh i think its too late now to try and get an early summer coat.
you need to rug up early and keep them well rugged over winter to stop them getting a winter coat in the first place and i mean a snuggy hood and a thermatex and at least 2/3 HW rugs.

rugging up now will help, but not much i dont think, you need to fool nature earlier next year so keep her well rugged all summer and rug up with thicker rugs earlier this autumn, and keep lights on for longer.

i used to produce ponies for my sister to HOYS/RIHS level and this is the only way to do it really. iv carried on doing this with my dressage horses as it means i have to clip less often.

my horses have had full summer coats for about 4 weeks now.
 
Ohhh ok, I'm a bit too late. Then, my friend has suggested using a fur minator, but I guess that'll be only a bit useful.

I'll hopefully take their new zealands off later in the week, asthey have had a few days without them, then the weather turned, guess I'll have to put some elbow grease in.
 
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