Its Feb. 21 and Isis is shedding like its May

KZWestern · 02-21-2005, 12:55 PM

This morning I went outside to feed the horses and it was around 5 degrees F. And Isis walked past me and brushed her belly against the back of my coat and my coat is now covered with horse hair. I stroked her for no longer than 5 seconds and had clumps of hair coming out. I mean, CLUMPS. She has loose hair just sitting on her coat, and if she stands in a sun beam you can see it falling off in a steady stream. Today while I was training with her I was covered with hair from head to toe just being near her. She also has a couple small patches where she has no fur at all. I noticed the first one maybe a little over a week ago, and she has a couple near it now, and some on the other side of her body. (All on her shoulders) They are getting bigger, and more abundant. They arn't that noticable yet though, because fur around it kinda covers it up. But the skin looks a little dry and flaky around each of these patches.

What could this be?? Is it some kind of infection or maybe rain rot? She really is never wet, unless its snowing, which doesn't happen too often. It was warm for a couple of days (in the 40s) two weeks ago or so, but I wouldn't think that a couple warm days would trigger such major shedding... I'm getting worried about her.

Appylvr · 02-21-2005, 01:30 PM

Is it actually NO hair on these spots? Or short summer coat hair? Cause my horses are shedding out already. I can't even pet them without hair getting everywhere!

KZWestern · 02-21-2005, 01:33 PM

No, there is NO hair on those spots. Its just dry skin.

Parelli Arabian · 02-21-2005, 02:06 PM

Could it be rain scald? Do you blanket her?

Carly · 02-21-2005, 02:08 PM

My mare is shedding HORRIBLY! she was rubbing her back/bum on her hay feeder the other night and it lookes like a bunch of fluffy guini pigs were in there!LOL

indiekisses985 · 02-21-2005, 03:11 PM

Omg- same with me!!!! Pal is shedding so much that I can't even kiss him without getting a mouthful of hair. He's like a fluffbal thats going bald.

MrsC · 02-21-2005, 04:16 PM

My two wooly babies are shedding like there is no tomorrow!! I know that our weather has been absolutely bizaar. And now were going into another cold snap and they are shedding coat like it's ok. Hope it is!

Dandy_Brush · 02-21-2005, 04:17 PM

lol my dog is sheding but my horse isent!

Asfaloth · 02-22-2005, 07:33 AM

All of the horses at my stable are shedding as well. I think it is just a normal reaction to longer days and warmer weather. it really is not that cold for them. I do use light blankets when it gets to a cold snap though. Perhaps the horses know what the ground hog faild to see. Spring is comming early. Would'nt that be wonderful?

Shotgun93 · 02-22-2005, 07:47 AM

The shedding is normal. Horses actually get four or five coats a year, some get more, some get less. They grow more hair, then they shed it out. Also, because the days are longer and and nights are shorter, they loose more hair too.
As for the dry patches of skin, I would be concerned about fungus. It might be something as simple as rub marks or injuries (our horses all have little patches of no hair where they rubbed their necks on the feeder. But, if absolutely no hair is growing back at all, then it could be a fungus. You should get some fung-away or some sort of fungicide. Make sure that disenfect all saddle blankets, girths and brushes, especially if you share them with other horses.

02-21-2005, 12:55 PM	#1
KZWestern Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 3,643 Images: 35	Its Feb. 21 and Isis is shedding like its May This morning I went outside to feed the horses and it was around 5 degrees F. And Isis walked past me and brushed her belly against the back of my coat and my coat is now covered with horse hair. I stroked her for no longer than 5 seconds and had clumps of hair coming out. I mean, CLUMPS. She has loose hair just sitting on her coat, and if she stands in a sun beam you can see it falling off in a steady stream. Today while I was training with her I was covered with hair from head to toe just being near her. She also has a couple small patches where she has no fur at all. I noticed the first one maybe a little over a week ago, and she has a couple near it now, and some on the other side of her body. (All on her shoulders) They are getting bigger, and more abundant. They arn't that noticable yet though, because fur around it kinda covers it up. But the skin looks a little dry and flaky around each of these patches. What could this be?? Is it some kind of infection or maybe rain rot? She really is never wet, unless its snowing, which doesn't happen too often. It was warm for a couple of days (in the 40s) two weeks ago or so, but I wouldn't think that a couple warm days would trigger such major shedding... I'm getting worried about her. __________________ Kristie + Isis = Krisis!!!!!!!!! Isis - slaughter rescue Grattitude - Swedish Warmblood

02-21-2005, 01:30 PM	#2
Appylvr Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: California Posts: 7,015 Images: 307	Is it actually NO hair on these spots? Or short summer coat hair? Cause my horses are shedding out already. I can't even pet them without hair getting everywhere! __________________ ~Tonya~ Teak~Coco~Baylee~Dolly~Rosie~Shilo~Jazzy A solitary ride through the bush is more beneficial than six months with the best psychiatrist

02-21-2005, 01:33 PM	#3
KZWestern Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 3,643 Images: 35	No, there is NO hair on those spots. Its just dry skin. __________________ Kristie + Isis = Krisis!!!!!!!!! Isis - slaughter rescue Grattitude - Swedish Warmblood

02-21-2005, 02:08 PM	#5
Carly Senior Member+ Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: British Columbia Posts: 6,783 Images: 592 Blog Entries: 5	My mare is shedding HORRIBLY! she was rubbing her back/bum on her hay feeder the other night and it lookes like a bunch of fluffy guini pigs were in there!LOL __________________ Okay I HAVE to say it.. its BELGIAN not BELGIUM.. its a horse, not a place or a chocolate! "I've been Goosed!"

02-21-2005, 04:17 PM	#8
Dandy_Brush Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Ottawa Ont. Posts: 3,580 Images: 59 Blog Entries: 48	lol my dog is sheding but my horse isent! __________________ Arise now, arise Riders of Theoden! Dire deeds awake, dark it is eastward. Let horse be bridled, horn be sounded! Forth Eorlingas!

02-21-2005, 02:06 PM	#4
Parelli Arabian Full Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 155	Could it be rain scald? Do you blanket her?

02-21-2005, 03:11 PM	#6
indiekisses985 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,334	Omg- same with me!!!! Pal is shedding so much that I can't even kiss him without getting a mouthful of hair. He's like a fluffbal thats going bald.

02-21-2005, 04:16 PM	#7
MrsC Full Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: New York Posts: 64	My two wooly babies are shedding like there is no tomorrow!! I know that our weather has been absolutely bizaar. And now were going into another cold snap and they are shedding coat like it's ok. Hope it is!

02-22-2005, 07:33 AM	#9
Asfaloth Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Pennsylvania, south of Pittsburgh Posts: 1,025 Images: 36	All of the horses at my stable are shedding as well. I think it is just a normal reaction to longer days and warmer weather. it really is not that cold for them. I do use light blankets when it gets to a cold snap though. Perhaps the horses know what the ground hog faild to see. Spring is comming early. Would'nt that be wonderful? __________________ Happiness is Owning and Riding Somthing Extraordinary

02-22-2005, 07:47 AM	#10
Shotgun93 Senior Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Southwest SD Posts: 13,784 Images: 132	The shedding is normal. Horses actually get four or five coats a year, some get more, some get less. They grow more hair, then they shed it out. Also, because the days are longer and and nights are shorter, they loose more hair too. As for the dry patches of skin, I would be concerned about fungus. It might be something as simple as rub marks or injuries (our horses all have little patches of no hair where they rubbed their necks on the feeder. But, if absolutely no hair is growing back at all, then it could be a fungus. You should get some fung-away or some sort of fungicide. Make sure that disenfect all saddle blankets, girths and brushes, especially if you share them with other horses. __________________ In the quiet light of the stable, you hear a muffled snort, the stamp of a hoof, a friendly nicker. Gentle eyes inquire, "How was your day old friend?" and suddenly, all your troubles fade away. -Author Unknown