Faster Shedding
Shedding, just like the growth of a winter coat, has as much or more to do with sunlight than it does actual weather temperatures. You can hurry the shedding process a bit if you increase the amount of light your horse gets by leaving on a 100-watt bulb in your barn for up to 12 hours. The additional light may help stimulate your horse's body into thinking the days are getting longer more quickly. Note: If you have a mare, the longer light-period may bring her into season more quickly. Be sure the light source is set up safely in your barn, of course.
Exercise will also increase the speed of losing hair. The additional work and body heat acts in your favor, as hair comes out more readily when the horse's body is warm. You'll find if you give your horse a really thorough grooming after exercise during this time of year, you'll get more hair out faster than by simply doing the usual intense pre-ride grooming and a quick brush-off after riding.
Adding a lightweight stable sheet to your horse while he's in the barn will also help warm his body more quickly. Plus, the constant natural movement of the sheet against the hair may help loosen the longer hairs. In addition, you'll find your horse has more of a slick look after wearing his sheet. You will need to be certain it fits correctly to avoid rub marks and discomfort. You also must keep the blanket clean, so you may want to have more than one available. While we stated that the sheet will help loosen hair as it moves over the horse's body, we don't mean that it should shift a lot or visibly move around on him. It's closer to how your sweater moves when you move your arm.
Grooming Extras
Although we think a set of clippers is the best way to trim your horse's bridle path, whiskers and fetlock hairs, you can get the job done with good blunt-end scissors (get stainless steel, if you can). You'll need scissors designed for cutting hair, however, or you may find the task tedious.
If you go with clippers, the easiest to use are a cordless set. The power will be virtually the same as a corded set, but you won't have to stay close to an electrical outlet or watch to be sure your horse doesn't decide to "taste" the electrical cord. Most cordless sets will have ample power to do the necessary trimming for a finished look.
The average stable-size clipper will do most of the routine grooming tasks. These should be found for under $125. Larger, heavier duty clippers are usually corded for longer sessions and are geared toward body clipping the horse. These can be very expensive, however, so be sure you need them.
If you've never used one, a horse vacuum might seem like an outrageous luxury item for your grooming kit. However, if you've had the opportunity to groom your horse with a good vacuum, you know that nothing can suck the deep down dirt and hair out of the horse's coat as quickly, comfortably and effortlessly. You'll need to train your horse to accept the noise and feel (and the little machine dragging around on the floor behind you), but once you do, you'll find nothing else can get that job done that fast.
Check to be sure the tools that come with the vacuum are comfortable and allow for good suction, which means that they can get close to the coat, like a household vacuum does on a rug. We prefer a vacuum-like nozzle over a curry-style nozzle, because we find it better for the horse if we curry first (therefore stimulating the skin and lifting off loosened hair) and then vacuum out the leftovers with the nozzle.
Theoretically, you could use the vacuum to do your horse and skip the currying and brushing. But you'll both miss out if you do that. We recommend that you go through your regular currying and dandy-brush sessions, vacuum, then run a soft brush and rub rag over your horse for the finishing touches.
Spit-Polish Finish
We tend to have a renewed enthusiasm this time of year, and it can be fun to do a few extras to get your horse looking even better faster-even just for your own enjoyment. Alcohol and witch hazel can be great stain removers (avoid the eyes), and a spray bottle with water in it can settle some of the outside dust that just doesn't seem to want to come out.
Coat polish can do double duty as a detangler on manes and tails, while making the horse shine. Be careful to spot test for sensitivity if it's a new product, and don't overdo the spraying by using it every day or mixing different polishes before the prior one has worn off. The whole process can backfire on you and cause the mane, tail and horse's coat to become dry and brittle.
While you might be tempted to put some hoof polish or conditioner on your horse's hooves, we wouldn't recommend that you do this routinely unless there's a specific need for it. Hoof sealers are available to seal out moisture, especially in very wet/muddy conditions. Hoof conditioners add moisture, which might be helpful if his hooves are very dry. You can also get hoof hardeners to help with too-soft hooves or those very prone to cracking/chipping. However, your best bet is to consult your farrier. Putting these products on your horse's hooves willy-nilly may upset an otherwise healthy foot.
