Why Is My Horse Growing Hair In The Summer?

It’s approaching that time of year where your horse will be preparing their summer coats due to the hotter weather and longer days. This means they will no longer require a thick, dense coat to keep them warm and instead will grow short, finer hairs to protect them from overheating in the heat.

Do horses get hairier as they get older?

Beyond the nuisance factor, hairiness or hirsutism (think “hair suit”), is a sign of a common metabolic disorder in older horses. Pituitary Pars Intermedia Disorder (PPID), commonly called Cushings disease (no, not Cushion Disease), affects roughly a quarter of horses over age 15.

Do horses grow a summer coat?

As the daylight hours and temperatures slowly start to decrease in autumn, you may notice your horse starting to grow a soft fuzzy coat over their short, slick summer coat.

Do horses shed summer coats?

A horse’s shedding/growing coat cycle is triggered by the sun. When the days begin to grow shorter, the horse’s body knows it’s time to start preparing for the winter months and begins to shed out the “summer coat” in preparation for the winter coat.

Why is my horse not shedding out?

One of the most prevalent reasons for failure to shed or inappropriate shedding, particularly in older horses, is equine Cushing’s disease, also known as pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID). This is a hormonal imbalance common in older horses.

What are the signs of ulcers in horses?

A: Horses suffering from stomach ulcers may display signs of pain and discomfort such as:

• Sour disposition.
• Still eating but losing condition or weight.
• Avoiding hard feed and preferring hay.
• Poor appetite.
• Unsettled in training or unwilling to work.
• Grinding teeth.
• Crib-biting, wind-sucking.
• Bad coat.

How does Cushing’s disease affect horses?

Clinical signs include increased coat length and delayed shedding of the winter coat, laminitis, lethargy, increased sweating, weight loss and excessive drinking and urinating. The disease primarily affects those over the age of 10, with 19 being the average age at diagnosis.

Are fly sheets too hot for horses in summer?

While you may hesitate to put a layer on your horse during hot weather, a fly sheet should not make your horse sweat. Made with lightweight mesh, fly sheets are breathable and allow air flow. They can actually make a dark horse cooler, since they are generally made with light, UV ray reflecting colors.

Should horses be hosed off in hot weather?

Hosing or sponging the horse off with water will help bring the horse’s core temperature down quicker. No need to scrape! Let the cooling water do the work for both you and your horse.

What weather is too hot for horses?

Avoid riding your horse when the combined air temperature (F) and relative humidity is over 150, especially if the horse is not acclimated to the heat.

Why is my horse so itchy in summer?

Sweet Itch is a skin disease (sometimes called summer itch or seasonal allergic dermatitis) and is caused by an allergy to the saliva of certain biting flies or midges (e.g., Culicoides spp.).

Why isn’t my horse losing his winter coat?

Problems that cause a horse to not shed or not shed well:
Low thyroid function. Pituitary Pars intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) – Equine Cushing’s Disease which is a disease of the endocrine system affecting the pituitary gland. Parasites. Poor health in general.

What triggers moulting in horses?

Essentially, the pineal gland controls melatonin (a hormone) production during nighttime hours, which triggers a whole slew of other reactions in the body, causing hair to grow or shed. When less melatonin is secreted from the pineal gland (spring time, because of less dark hours) the horse will shed its winter coat.

How do you get a horse to drop its coat?

How to Speed Up Your Horse’s Shedding

1. Give a late-season full-body clip. Shear off the shaggy coat a month before shedding season begins; the shorter hair will be less of a torment when it does fall out.
2. Apply some old-fashioned elbows grease.
3. Pour on the oil.

How can you tell if a pony has Cushings?

Signs of Cushing’s syndrome include:

1. Failure or later shedding of the winter coat that may become really long, matted and curly especially around the legs.
2. Excessive sweating.
3. Increased drinking and urination.
4. Lethargy and poor performance.
5. A pot-bellied appearance.
6. Loss of muscle and topline.

What happens if Cushing’s is left untreated in horses?

If a horse has untreated Cushing’s Disease, it is more likely to develop laminitis and the laminitis will be more difficult to control. If an equine has any of the clinical signs suggestive of Cushing’s, a blood sample can be taken to check ACTH levels in the blood.

What triggers Cushings in horses?

Although the cause of the condition is not completely understood, it is thought that as part of the ageing process some horses develop enlargement of part of the pituitary gland (the pars intermedia), which produces excessive hormones that are important in controlling various body functions.

What is the life expectancy of a horse with Cushings?

Vets encourage owners of Cushing’s horses to decrease the amount of carbohydrates they feed (e.g., grains or other concentrates), maintain the horse at a healthy body condition score, and ensure his diet is properly balanced. Well-managed horses should live about five to seven years or more past diagnosis.

Can you reverse Cushings in horses?

Managing Cushing’s Disease
The disease can be managed with a combination of medication and supportive care. This will be a life-long process as there is no way to reverse or cure this disease.

What happens if you don’t cool down a horse?

If your horse is hot after exercising and does not properly cool down, he is not going to get enough oxygen or blood circulation, which traps heat in his muscles. In severe cases, this can cause neurological deficits or heat stroke. This can also put him at greater risk of pulling muscles.

Should you blanket your horse in the rain?

Here are some general guidelines: Body Clipped Horses: Start blanketing when the temperature gets below 60°F, or anytime it is rainy or windy. Moderate Hair Coat Horses: Start blanketing when the temperature goes below 40°F. Heavy Hair Coat Horses: Start blanketing when the temperatures go below 30°F.