Hairy for life? Or just a slow shedder?

Kinzam · 04-25-2007, 08:07 AM

I have a 11.2 hand mix, unknown age/parentage, although the vet suspects some sort of pony mix at about 9-10 months old. She has gotten very hairy over the winter and has shed some, but is still really shaggy and curly. All our other horses have shed out completely but this poor baby is running around with dreads from the GA humidity and heat combined with seriously tangling long, curly coat. Is she going to be this hairy for life or is she just a slow shedder? Should we clip her or let her got natural.

Pic of said horse

http://www.horsegroomingsupplies.com...3/mistynow.gif

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g2...s/100_6064.jpg

Heavenly Jumper · 04-25-2007, 08:18 AM

Have the vet do a check for age on the pony.

Age can have a lot to do with shedding...

Have you heard of Cushings Syndrome?
CUSHING'S SYNDROME IN HORSES - Equiworld - Equestrian Information - horses and ponies on the internet

Oh and Hi! I am in GA too!

APHAgurl91 · 04-25-2007, 11:37 AM

the first thing i thought of was cushings also... you might want to have a vet check for that. and if it turns out she doesnt have it, you could trya grooming block. they work miracles!

freedom32 · 04-25-2007, 11:56 AM

When Freedom was a youngster she took forever to shed out--she was a pretty hair little one, and is still a fairly furry horse. You may want to clip her so she is more comfortable.

jumpthemoon · 04-25-2007, 12:49 PM

Is she wormy? She looks like she might be in those pics. The encysted worms often result in a poor hair coat. If she's not on a regular program, would try a weight appropriate dose of Quest.

nixalba · 04-26-2007, 06:31 AM

If she is that young, I find they usually take a while to shed out. I clipped my yearling colt last year because he was sweating just standing around.

My rising 2 yr old filly still has quite a bit of winter hair, but I don't think I'll need to clip her.

If she seems quite uncomfortable, clip her, her summer coat will grow in fine afterward.

KZWestern · 04-26-2007, 09:27 AM

First of all, keep in mind that ponys are naturally hairy little guys. If he is old then it could be cushings. By looking at his teeth you can't tell how old he is specifically, but you CAN tell whether he's older or younger. (The longer the teeth the older the horse. There are guides you can find easily enough that show what you'll see in different aged horses teeth)

Some horses just take a long time to shed out too. If it's hot out and he's miserable, then I'd clip him.

Gallop N Gal · 04-26-2007, 09:30 AM

Cushinhgs diesease???? I dunno if thats it though it mainly happens to older horses...

cindyf · 04-26-2007, 09:50 AM

This horse is young, generally speaking it takes a youngster a long time to shed. Me, I would clip him. I doubt that anything is wrong with him, he's young. And I would not doubt that you have yourself a curly!!!

minihorses4ever · 04-26-2007, 03:09 PM

I agree, it can take a while for the little ones to shed out. And she may just be a slower shedder in general. My gelding has always been a slow shedder, and he is wormed on a constant basis, has quality feed, and has a clean bill of health. I would clip her if I were you!

Oh, and I just wanted to add, she looks well loved. Just look at those smiling faces behind her!

04-25-2007, 08:07 AM	#1
Kinzam Full Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 112 Images: 16	Hairy for life? Or just a slow shedder? I have a 11.2 hand mix, unknown age/parentage, although the vet suspects some sort of pony mix at about 9-10 months old. She has gotten very hairy over the winter and has shed some, but is still really shaggy and curly. All our other horses have shed out completely but this poor baby is running around with dreads from the GA humidity and heat combined with seriously tangling long, curly coat. Is she going to be this hairy for life or is she just a slow shedder? Should we clip her or let her got natural. Pic of said horse http://www.horsegroomingsupplies.com...3/mistynow.gif http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g2...s/100_6064.jpg Last edited by Kinzam; 04-25-2007 at 08:17 AM. Reason: added a better picture

04-25-2007, 08:18 AM	#2
Heavenly Jumper Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Yokosuka, Japan Posts: 15,464 Images: 1323 Blog Entries: 272	Have the vet do a check for age on the pony. Age can have a lot to do with shedding... Have you heard of Cushings Syndrome? CUSHING'S SYNDROME IN HORSES - Equiworld - Equestrian Information - horses and ponies on the internet Oh and Hi! I am in GA too! __________________ OMG I'm actually IN JAPAN! like, right now! .'~'. epi tan e epi tas .'~'. I've been SNOWBALLED X10!I have been NOEL’ed and Blessed In His Name

04-25-2007, 11:37 AM	#3
APHAgurl91 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: USA Posts: 367 Images: 31	the first thing i thought of was cushings also... you might want to have a vet check for that. and if it turns out she doesnt have it, you could trya grooming block. they work miracles! __________________ "Brilliant!" ~Harry Potter

04-25-2007, 11:56 AM	#4
freedom32 Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Capital of the Steeler Nation--PITTSBURGH Posts: 8,250 Images: 460 Blog Entries: 144	When Freedom was a youngster she took forever to shed out--she was a pretty hair little one, and is still a fairly furry horse. You may want to clip her so she is more comfortable. __________________ Pittsburgh gals bleed black & gold Snowballs!! Been hit with regular, yellow, mushy, and kitty ones! I have been NOEL'ed and Blessed In His Name

04-25-2007, 12:49 PM	#5
jumpthemoon Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: CA Posts: 4,418 Images: 49	Is she wormy? She looks like she might be in those pics. The encysted worms often result in a poor hair coat. If she's not on a regular program, would try a weight appropriate dose of Quest. __________________ I love the Backyardigans! "Last I checked, the snarky kids were not the judges." kellidahorsegirl

04-26-2007, 06:31 AM	#6
nixalba Full Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Posts: 200 Images: 19	If she is that young, I find they usually take a while to shed out. I clipped my yearling colt last year because he was sweating just standing around. My rising 2 yr old filly still has quite a bit of winter hair, but I don't think I'll need to clip her. If she seems quite uncomfortable, clip her, her summer coat will grow in fine afterward.

04-26-2007, 09:27 AM	#7
KZWestern Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 3,643 Images: 35	First of all, keep in mind that ponys are naturally hairy little guys. If he is old then it could be cushings. By looking at his teeth you can't tell how old he is specifically, but you CAN tell whether he's older or younger. (The longer the teeth the older the horse. There are guides you can find easily enough that show what you'll see in different aged horses teeth) Some horses just take a long time to shed out too. If it's hot out and he's miserable, then I'd clip him. __________________ Kristie + Isis = Krisis!!!!!!!!! Isis - slaughter rescue Grattitude - Swedish Warmblood

04-26-2007, 09:30 AM	#8
Gallop N Gal Senior Member+ Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Land O' Cheese Posts: 4,273 Images: 771 Blog Entries: 2	Cushinhgs diesease???? I dunno if thats it though it mainly happens to older horses... __________________ *It Takes More Muscles to Frown* ......Than to Smile!**

04-26-2007, 09:50 AM	#9
cindyf Full Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: MN Posts: 171 Images: 38	This horse is young, generally speaking it takes a youngster a long time to shed. Me, I would clip him. I doubt that anything is wrong with him, he's young. And I would not doubt that you have yourself a curly!!!

04-26-2007, 03:09 PM	#10
minihorses4ever Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 1,326 Images: 28	I agree, it can take a while for the little ones to shed out. And she may just be a slower shedder in general. My gelding has always been a slow shedder, and he is wormed on a constant basis, has quality feed, and has a clean bill of health. I would clip her if I were you! Oh, and I just wanted to add, she looks well loved. Just look at those smiling faces behind her! __________________ -Breanne Never frown, even when you are sad, because you never know who is falling in love with your smile.

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