Horse coat change

Sub-zero temperatures in winter, bikini weather in summer: the seasons determine whether we dress breezily or combine several layers in a twilight look. Our partner horse is also prepared for the change of seasons and changes its hair twice a year. This is exhausting, for you, as you have to rid your horse of a huge pile of hair, but especially for your horse as well, because the whole immune system has to cooperate to change from summer to winter wardrobe and vice versa. It is therefore important that you support your horse and make sure that it survives the change of coat well and healthy.

But how does a horse know that it's time to shed its old coat and get a new one?


Your horse's coat change is influenced by how long the days are. When it starts to get lighter again after a dark winter, which is already the case at the end of December, your horse gets the signal that it has to prepare for a change of seasons. This is why some horses start shedding their long winter coats as early as mid-January. The same happens when the days become shorter again in late summer. Here, the shorter coat is exchanged for a longer one. 

The temperature has a rather subordinate influence on the time of the change. However, it does influence the length and density of the horse's coat. How long the coat becomes depends on whether you cover your horse and whether it is kept in a stable or an open stable. Furthermore, different breeds of horses develop different densities of coat; an Icelandic horse, for example, produces more hair mass than an Arabian.

The largest organ of the horse is the skin, which protects the body from external influences, transmits stimuli and is also responsible for heat regulation and immune defence. It is therefore very important for the organism that the skin and the coat are intact. During the change of coat, the horse's organism suffers particularly. It may be that your horse seems a little more tired and limp than usual during this time. This is not a problem and is completely normal, because your horse's metabolism has a lot to do. If you notice that your horse is not as fiery as usual, you should support the metabolism, the intestines and the entire organism of your horse so that the horse's coat can renew itself healthily.

Older horses in particular often have problems during the coat change. Then you should take special care of your horse. Of course, you should also take a more relaxed approach to training so that your horse can work happily and joyfully despite the change of coat and is not overloaded.

But how can you support the horse's coat change?

On the one hand it is important to give your horse the right coat care, on the other hand you can help the organism from the inside with herbs for horses. During the time of the change of coat, your horse will especially enjoy being pampered with the right horse brushes. Because now it itches and scratches everywhere.

What should the horse grooming kit contain?

Which horse brushes are important and useful for horse grooming?

Your horse grooming kit should definitely contain a rubber currycomb with which you can brush your horse's coat in circular movements. The rubber brush stimulates the skin and your horse will thank you with a happy grooming face. A root brush is also part of the horse grooming kit and supports horse care. You use it by brushing the direction of the horse's coat with the brush. A soft card brush is used on the sensitive parts of your horse's body such as the head and legs. There are also various horse brushes that have been specially developed for the change of coat and help to brush loose undercoat out of the coat. These usually have close-meshed knobs or prongs to catch deeper lying coats.

Our

Animalon massage currycomb is the absolute "secret weapon" against loose hairs and helps us and our favourite to change the coat quickly and effortlessly. The positive side effect - your horse is not only helped to lose the excess coat, but also enjoys a pleasant massage at the same time. As you can see, the Animalon massage brush should not be missing from your horse's grooming box. 


Furthermore, nutrients and herbs can support the horse's coat change. It is important that you cover your horse's increased nutritional needs during the coat change and thus strengthen the organism. There are some helpful home remedies and herbs for horses.

Only what additives and herbs are useful now?

To ensure that the coat change is not delayed due to a lack of omega-3 fatty acids, your horse should definitely get oil in the form of linseed, sunflower or hemp oil. You can simply add a little oil to the feed and your horse will absorb it without any further effort. In order for the omega-3 fatty acid to be converted into the active form, docosahexaenoic acid, your horse needs zinc. Zinc is also involved in cell division and the growth of hair and hair roots. Nowadays, many horses suffer from acute zinc deficiency because the hay no longer contains enough of it. It therefore makes sense to feed zinc during the change of coat. Your vet will be happy to advise you on this and can recommend the right preparation.

Herbs for horses help to support the change of coat in horses. The liver and kidneys need help in removing stressful waste products, as do your horse's defences, so that your horse gets through the change well. Stinging nettle, fenugreek seeds, dandelion, milk thistle herb, sticky herb, hawthorn and horsetail herb are particularly suitable for this purpose. You have a wide choice of supportive products that combine these herbs in the right amounts. Of course, it is also possible to mix your own herbal cocktail for your horse. Unfortunately, this is much more complicated than simply buying a ready-made product.

Furthermore, keep in mind that your horse usually gets less exercise in winter and excess fats can put an excessive strain on your horse's metabolism. This can lead to fat deposits and increased uric acid levels in the blood. Regenerative and also diuretic herbs, such as fennel or cleaver, can now support the kidneys and liver to detoxify.

Keep a close eye on your horse during the shedding period. If your horse's organism does not receive the necessary minerals, your horse will be particularly susceptible to illness. If possible, you should not put your horse under any further stress, such as changing stables or being stressed at competitions. If you take care of the right nutrients, take care of your horse and pamper him regularly with soothing massages, you will get over this debilitating time well.

Enjoy the time of grooming with your four-legged friend and you will surely grow even closer together. As you know, grooming is very important for our herd animals and promotes trust between them. And if you can make a warming jumper out of all that brushed fur, you'll end up benefiting from this admittedly sometimes exhausting time.

So, keep calm, and get to brushing your horse!

Are you still looking for a coat change helper?

Then definitely take a look at our massage currycomb.

Written by Marie Augustin