My QH mare is in the process of shedding out her summer coat for her winter coat. It is my first year owning her, and I am just wondering if it is normal for a horse to shed out almost all its hair at once? I have always seen it happen gradually, but my mare has lost so much hair at one time that you can see her skin through her chestnut coat all over her body. I know that she will not be so bald in a few weeks once the new hair grows, but in the meantime she has no protection against the increasingly colder nights.
Should I blanket her during the night? Or will that cause her winter coat not to come in as thick? i prefer not to blanket my horse in the winter & I know that she gets a great winder coat in because she had one when i bought her last year. I'm just worried about WHY she has shed out so completely to the point where her whole coat looks darker from far away because her black skin is showing through. She does not have any skin infections or allergies and is healthy.
2006-09-22 05:42:55 · 9 answers · asked by Jewlbaby 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
My QH mare is in the process of shedding out her summer coat for her winter coat. It is my first year owning her, and I am just wondering if it is normal for a horse to shed out almost all its hair at once? I have always seen it happen gradually, but my mare has lost so much hair at one time that you can see her skin through her chestnut coat all over her body. I know that she will not be so bald in a few weeks once the new hair grows, but in the meantime she has no protection against the increasingly colder nights. Should I blanket her during the night? Or will that cause her winter coat not to come in as thick? i prefer not to blanket my horse in the winter & I know that she gets a great winder coat in because she had one when i bought her last year. I'm just worried about WHY she has shed out so completely to the point where her whole coat looks darker from far away because her black skin is showing through. She does not have any skin infections or allergies & is healthy & pregnant.
2006-09-22 05:52:20 · update #1
Its best to keep your horse rugged all year round. Sun cancer affects horses just as much as humans so having a day rug is ideal. Usually a light cotton rug for the summer months. In winter to prevent her winter coat from being as long I have my horse rugged with 3 - 4 rugs and hoods / neck rugs if they are out in the paddock to prevent your horse running through the fence if the hood goes over their eyes. Oil her coat with raw linseed oil applied with a cloth, this will prevent insects from attacking your horse and add gloss and lust to her coat as well as incourage regrowth. This needs to be done evey day for the first week and every second day for the 2nd week and then apply 2 x a week there after. you can also put this in your horses feed to add lust to her coat.
2006-09-22 15:57:25 · answer #1 · answered by Maley 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I had a similar problem, though it was from winter to summer. She totally lost a lot of hair.
First off, I would put at least a light sheet on her at night. No, that won't prevent her from growing in her winter fur. I've seen my horses get more fur in the winter when the days got Really cold.
Anyway, are you sure it's not a skin infection? My mare had a fungal infection, and she was very itchy too. I just gave her a few bathes with fungal shampoo.
I might ask a vet, and maybe get a skin scrapping. Or I'd just wait and see if this works out. It is kind of strange, but I don't think I would worry too much.
2006-09-22 07:31:40 · answer #2 · answered by hlhorsenaround 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Putting a blanket on her will slow the hair growth. If you blanket her now you have to through out the winter. My horse would shed considerably at times too. Give her few weeks to start growing my hair. If not, call a vet and see what they recommend. It could be a sign of a greater problem. Also, try some vitamin supplements with her feed, if you aren't already. This may really help.
2006-09-22 05:52:20 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Call a vet for the shedding problem. I always throw a blanket on in winter. And remember: Clean the hoofs daily!
2006-09-22 05:54:06 · answer #4 · answered by ggraves1724 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it is normal for them to shed out alot especially if she had a thick coat for winter. But if there are alot of bald spots i would call a vet just to be safe
2006-09-22 08:07:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would give her extra nuitrition. She shouldn't loose that much hair. That is too thin and a sign of nuitriant loss.
Do not blanket her since it will slow down the hair growth process.
2006-09-22 10:53:55 · answer #6 · answered by Mutchkin 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No this is not normal. Did she have a foal recently. That could cause it. Otherwise, I would call my vet. I've had horses all my life, all registered QH. Never seen this happen.
2006-09-22 05:46:48 · answer #7 · answered by SHELLBELL 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
This isn't usually normal. Ask an expert for help esp if she is pregnant.
2006-09-22 07:14:47 · answer #8 · answered by Horse crazy 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is not normal, start washing her with vinegar and egg whites.
2006-09-23 18:34:59 · answer #9 · answered by Niche Jerk 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋