losing the summer coat already???

[alfiesmum]

just wondering if anyone else having this issue at the moment?
its only august and yet several of our horses are losing their summer coat in the bucket loads! its not even cold yet!
ok so they are not rugged (yet), but one is a warmblood and the others are all natives.
Dont really want to have to rug up just yet

 

[camilla4]

It's not actually temperature that governs coat change, it's daylight - as the number of daylight hours decreases, the coat changes so that the new coat is established before the temperature drops.

 

[alfiesmum]

we currently have around 13hours daylight a day maybe more, its never happened this early before tho x

 

[Shysmum]

The boy gets brushed every day, and yesterday he was normal - this morning i got down to find him with hair everywhere, coming off in huge piles. Got my new round rubber curry comb out, and the stable was full of hair in minutes. Hmmm....methinks he'll be even hairier in no time

 

[alfiesmum]

shysmum- is it getting early or what??? i dont think its been this early before? maybe its jsut me- away for another glass of wine lol x

 

[Stacy_W]

I have found this to, seemed to coincide with the slightly colder nights! (And as it happens the decrease in daylight hours!!). I don't remember it happening this early before either, but mine is 32 and has been underweight recently with the lack of grass to eat!

 

[PurplePickle]

yeah the WB is but the welshy shes not loosing yet

 

[Shysmum]

maybe it is the colder nights as well as the daylight ? urgh, it all means winter's coming *sigh* sm x

 

[alfiesmum]

did you have to mention the 'w' word?? i mean really lol x

 

[Shysmum]

sorry.......got it on my mind atm, what with all that hair falling out like a snow storm

 

[alfiesmum]

sorry.......got it on my mind atm, what with all that hair falling out like a snow storm

i got black snow

 

[WelshMisfit]

I noticed mine was losing his coat this morning when I brushed him before hacking out. Just thought "Noooooooooooo!"

 

[mytwofriends]

My fella is definitely shedding his coat. What's disappointing to realise is that I always clip him for the first time at the end of Sept, which is only about 6 weeks away Then it's back to rugging up. And then it's Winter. Nice.

 

[Bert&Maud]

I first noticed a few loose hairs at the end of July, but then remembered back to last year when I thought he must just be shedding a few hairs in preparation for an extra hot spell! Last year i was itching to clip him at the end of August, but managed to hold off until the second week of September. So actually it's normal for my horse (IDx). He's gone really dapply as well which usually means his coat's on the change.

 

[Pixxie]

im so pleased im not the only one, both of mine are growing coats and changing colour but i agree its VERY early this year

 

[Ella19]

coming out in handfuls. Gutted as I can't afford as many clips as I did last year which totaled 4 full clips!!

 

[alfiesmum]

im so pleased im not the only one, both of mine are growing coats and changing colour but i agree its VERY early this year

ah, i feel bette now, this is the first year with a warmlblood but even the welshies are moultin lol x

 

[Pixxie]

well ive got an ISH and a welsh D and both are getting fuzzy lol muppets!

 

[ofcourseyoucan]

never forget the old saying 'no horse looks good at blackberry time' the early blackberries are ripe (been picking for over a week) and coat changes start as soon as some blackberries are ready for picking! My clippers are all serviced pat tested and ready to go!!!!

 

[SVMel]

Gosh yes, I'd better get my blades sharpened quick smart!!!!!! All 3 of my big 'uns are shedding madly, But the shetland hasn't dropped a hair as yet. I wonder if he's either

a) not noticed the cooler nights yet or

b) not noticed the shorter daylight hours

Maybe all because he's shrouded in a fly rug and mask 24/7......... interesting thought or just plain daft????

Answers on a postcard..... ;p