In temperate and cold regions such as Finland and the other Nordic countries, horses renew their coat seasonally—once in autumn and again in spring. Many horse owners notice the start of spring shedding as early as February–March, often quite literally on their own sleeves covered in hair. The shedding period frequently continues well into April. In autumn, the coat-shedding season typically takes place from August to November. Some horses start shedding earlier than others, depending on factors such as the speed of coat growth and shedding, the horse’s breed, age, and its nutritional or overall health status.
In older horses, coat shedding may be slower due to health-related or hormonal reasons, such as Cushing’s syndrome. Coat shedding requires a significant amount of energy and physiological resources from the horse’s body, and it can affect horses of all ages. A shiny coat, a healthy appearance, and a well-fed horse often go hand in hand, which is why coat quality is commonly regarded as an indicator of overall wellbeing and health.
Light and temperature influence coat shedding
Day length, and consequently the amount of light, affects a horse’s hormonal activity and thus also coat shedding. In addition to light, temperature also plays a role in the shedding process. The hormone known as melatonin, sometimes referred to as the “darkness hormone,” signals to the horse in autumn that it is time to begin growing a winter coat. Light receptors in the horse’s eyes detect changes in day length and transmit signals to the brain. As daylight hours shorten, both melatonin production and coat growth increase. Coat growth is at its most active in autumn as light levels decrease and temperatures drop.
In spring, melatonin is replaced by prolactin, which triggers the shedding of the winter coat and its replacement with a lighter summer coat. Typically, shedding begins first from the belly and flanks.
From hair follicle to hair
A horse’s hair is made up of keratin protein. Hair growth in horses occurs in three distinct phases. The first phase is the active growth phase, during which the hair itself is formed. A small hair structure develops at the root and gradually grows longer. The next phase is a short transitional stage in which hair growth slows and the hair is “finished.” In the final phase, hair growth stops completely and blood circulation to the hair ceases. The hairs remain attached to the skin until new hairs push the old ones out when the next shedding cycle begins.
Coat shedding can be mechanically supported through regular grooming. Brushing increases blood circulation in the skin and hair follicles and improves the delivery of nutrients to the hair.
Coat shedding requires resources
Growing a new coat consumes a great deal of the horse’s resources. The same process applies when a clipped horse grows new hair. The quantity and quality of the horse’s diet directly influence the structure, appearance, and color of the coat. Coat shedding and coat growth are always demanding processes for the horse’s body and may, for example, affect immune function. For this reason, it is advisable to provide additional nutritional support during the shedding period to aid the growth of a new coat.
Nutrients for skin and coat
The secret to a beautiful coat comes from within, meaning that feeding plays a major role. A horse’s diet should include sufficient amounts of forage, good-quality fiber to support digestion, and often some complete or supplementary feeds to meet overall nutrient and energy requirements. Adequate fiber intake influences how effectively the horse can produce B vitamins and biotin on its own—nutrients that also play a role in coat shedding.
Minerals, vitamins, and fatty acids all have a significant impact on coat quality and growth. Adding oil to the diet is one way to increase coat shine and support skin health. Oils stimulate the activity of the skin’s sebaceous glands, allowing sebum to coat the hair and enhance its shine. The horse’s body is capable of storing minerals that can then be utilized during coat shedding, when mineral requirements are higher than usual. For this reason, it is recommended to increase the intake of trace elements such as zinc, copper, and selenium during shedding, along with B vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids.
For example, zinc and copper play an important role in coat color and structure. Fading of coat and mane color or poor coat quality can indicate deficiencies in these trace elements. Supplementing B vitamins is advisable during coat shedding, as the large intestine’s own production of B vitamins does not always keep pace with the increased demands of the shedding process. B vitamins are needed both for the skin cells from which hair grows and for the transport of nutrients into the hair itself. All essential B vitamins required by the horse can be found in brewer’s yeast. In some horses, coat shedding may cause fatigue due to increased demands for nutrients and energy, and omega fatty acids can also be helpful in supporting energy levels during this period.
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