As we start bemoaning the looming winter, our horse’s body is busy preparing for the onslaught of Canada’s cold, blustery weather by growing itself a heavy, protective coat. Although Mother Nature is trying her best, the seasonal shag can prove problematic and unsightly for many owners and unhealthy for some horses. One way to deal with the winter fuzzies is to clip – or shorten – the coat. While partly aesthetic, clipping is mainly about thermoregulation – how the body tries to maintain a constant internal temperature no matter how cold or hot the ambient air. A horse’s coat hairs are longer and stiffer in winter than in summer. Each hair is connected to a muscle that allows the hair to stand on end, fluffing up the coat to trap warm air just above the surface of the skin and provide insulation.
“As caregivers, we need to help some horses moderate the amount of hair they have, whether naturally produced in excess or because we have created exercise demands during periods when they have a naturally longer, thicker coat,” said Stephanie Rutherford, owner of Reintrue Equine, an Ontario-based company offering mobile clipping services.
“Whether your horse sweats from exercise or a health condition, they need a coat which allows sweat to evaporate and dry,” said Rutherford. “Heavy coats hold moisture in and delay drying time, which can be detrimental to their health and inconvenient for the owner.”