6 Best Times Of Year For Horse Deshedding That Old Farmers Swear By

Walking into the barn and seeing white hair swirling in every sunbeam is the first sign that shedding season has arrived. While it looks like a chaotic mess, timing your grooming sessions with the seasons ensures your horse stays comfortable and your brushes don’t wear out prematurely. Old farmers know that shedding isn’t just about heat; it’s a biological response to light that requires a strategic approach.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!

Understanding the Natural Equine Shedding Cycle

Horses don’t actually shed because the weather gets warm. Their bodies respond to the lengthening of days, a process known as photoperiodism, which triggers the pituitary gland to release the old coat.

If you try to force a shed in January just because you have a random 60-degree day, you’ll likely just frustrate yourself. The hair follicles aren’t ready to let go until the sun stays up long enough to signal the change.

Understanding this cycle helps you manage your time on the farm. You can stop fighting nature and start working with the horse’s internal clock, saving your arms from unnecessary scrubbing.

Timing the Late February Blowout During Early Thaws

Late February often brings a "false spring" that teases us with a few days of melting snow. This is when the very first layer of long, brittle guard hairs starts to loosen up.

You aren’t looking to strip the horse down to its skin yet. Instead, focus on removing the dirt and salt trapped deep in the fur from the long winter months.

• Focus areas: The neck and the tops of the hindquarters.
• Goal: Clear out the "winter crust" to prevent skin irritation.
• Tradeoff: Removing too much now can leave them vulnerable if a blizzard hits in March.

Using the Spring Equinox to Trigger Active Shedding

Around March 21st, the day and night are equal in length, and the shedding floodgates truly open. This is the most labor-intensive week for any hobby farmer with a horse in the paddock.

The hair will come off in clumps now, often revealing a dusty, scurfy layer underneath. You’ll want to dedicate at least thirty minutes a day to a deep grooming session to keep the skin breathing.

Don’t be surprised if your horse looks a bit moth-eaten during this phase. It’s a messy transition, but keeping up with it now prevents the hair from matting into the new summer coat.

Stripping the Winter Undercoat During the May Sun

By the time May rolls around, the long guard hairs should be mostly gone, leaving behind a dense, fuzzy undercoat. This fine hair is often the hardest to remove because it sticks to everything, including your clothes and the fence posts.

The warm May sun helps oils rise to the surface of the skin, making the hair slide out more easily. Grooming in the direct sunlight for twenty minutes can do more work than an hour in a dark grooming stall.

Be careful not to over-groom sensitive areas like the belly and inner thighs. The skin is often tender as it adjusts to the loss of its heavy winter protection.

Thinning the Summer Coat During the June Solstice

Even after the winter coat is gone, horses will do a "mini-shed" around the summer solstice. This is when they transition from their transitional spring coat to their sleekest summer shine.

This isn’t a heavy blowout, but rather a refining process. A light shedding blade or a fine-toothed curry comb will help pull out any lingering dullness.

• Benefit: Increases airflow to the skin during the hottest months.
• Observation: You’ll notice the coat color deepens and becomes more vibrant after this thinning.

Brushing in Late August to Stimulate New Growth

As the days begin to shorten in August, the horse’s body is already preparing for autumn. You might notice a fine dusting of hair on your brushes again as the summer coat begins to cycle out.

Vigorous brushing now isn’t just about removing hair; it’s about stimulating blood flow to the follicles. This helps the upcoming winter coat grow in thick, even, and healthy.

Think of this as the "clean slate" phase. You want to remove any summer dust and sweat dander so the winter coat has a clean foundation to grow upon.

Final September Grooming Before the Winter Coat Sets

September is your last chance to get a deep clean down to the skin before the heavy winter fur makes it impossible. Once that thick coat sets in, you won’t see the horse’s actual skin again until spring.

Focus on removing any lingering summer "scurf" or heat rash. If you leave dirt trapped under the emerging winter coat, you’re inviting rain rot and fungal issues during the wet fall months.

Use a soft brush and a damp cloth to finish your sessions. This seals the hair shaft and helps the horse retain the natural oils they’ll need for waterproofing in the coming snow.

Using Vigorous Currying to Speed Up Shedding

The rubber curry comb is a hobby farmer’s best friend because it’s cheap, durable, and incredibly effective. Use large, circular motions to lift the hair and dirt away from the skin.

Don’t be afraid to put some elbow grease into it, especially on the large muscle groups like the shoulders and haunches. Most horses actually enjoy the "massage" feeling of a firm currying session.

• Pro Tip: Avoid metal shedding blades on bony areas like the spine or hocks.
• Efficiency: Work in sections so you don’t get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of hair.
• Cleanup: Do this outside in a breeze so the hair blows away from your barn aisle.

Managing a horse’s coat is a year-round commitment that rewards the patient farmer with a healthy, glowing animal. By following these seasonal milestones, you can minimize the mess and ensure your horse is always prepared for the changing weather. Remember that every horse is an individual, so keep a close eye on their progress and adjust your grooming routine to match their unique rhythm.