allyny
Olympic Poster
Posts: 791
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Post by allyny on Dec 31, 2012 11:06:07 GMT 1
Eeeek ... One of my horses is really shedding her hair already. Big thick clumps came out when I brushed her yesterday.one sweep with the brush was filling the brush up!!! I've never known it this early nor this exuberant! My other horse isn't showing any signs at all of moulting. The one that's moulting is black, the other is skewbald and always sheds after the black one.
It's been exceptionally mild here so far, but the winter will almost certainly arrive. I'm worried she won't have any hair left at this rate.
She lives out 24/7 on 20+ acres (at home) and has shelter if she needs it, plus hay and is 22 and in excellent health! (A least I think she is!)
Should I be worried that its something more sinister than just warm, sunny , winter days?!?
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Post by antares on Dec 31, 2012 11:51:16 GMT 1
I always thought it was the change in the amount of daylight rather than the weather that affected the coat change.
I have had horses that start moulting at new year and others that start moulting in march. Just keep your eye on her, if she starts getting too cold or the weather suddenly gets bad you can reassess.
Sometimes they will heavily moult for a week or two and then it slows down a little
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Post by specialized on Dec 31, 2012 11:54:22 GMT 1
We have had horses coating on and off all year this year due to the extremes of weather, it is the only way they can influence their temperature regulation.
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allyny
Olympic Poster
Posts: 791
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Post by allyny on Dec 31, 2012 12:11:05 GMT 1
Antares - yes, I too thought it was regulated by daylight, which is why I'm a little bit curious - the days are bright but very short still.
I've had her for 16+ years and never known it happen before.
It was minus 15 here last February, so I hope she stops moulting soon!
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Post by marianne on Dec 31, 2012 13:32:45 GMT 1
Temperatures due to drop to minus 3 or 4 overnight later this week so I hope she works it out soon! :-) I agree it's been quite mild over the last couple weeks but I would be looking for other possible causes, particularly if she's the only one affected!
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allyny
Olympic Poster
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Post by allyny on Dec 31, 2012 13:38:35 GMT 1
I agree it's been quite mild over the last couple weeks but I would be looking for other possible causes, particularly if she's the only one affected! Do you have anything in mind? |
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Post by clara81 on Dec 31, 2012 14:52:48 GMT 1
My old pony mare is moulting! I brushed her yesterday and was a bit taken aback that she's moulting already, only 8 days after the light has changed round! She's white so moults earlier than the dark ponies anyway but not usually until beginning of Feb-ish
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Post by june on Dec 31, 2012 21:11:27 GMT 1
Yes, one of ours doing that too. We've had the shortest day so I guess its not totally ridiculous.
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madmare1
Grand Prix Poster
The Gruesome Twosome
Posts: 1,500
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Post by madmare1 on Dec 31, 2012 22:14:03 GMT 1
all 3 of mine are beginning to moult. Think my lot are a bit confuzzled....my young mare is raging in season, squirting, squealing and flirting like no tomorrow, older mare is just being herself, and trying to tow me to the field (too wet here for turnout) and my gelding is getting ideas!
Hopefully things will regulate themselves!
Emma xx
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Post by Katieleeown on Jan 1, 2013 14:39:45 GMT 1
Amber is starting to moult... in fact been doing so for about two weeks....lol
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allyny
Olympic Poster
Posts: 791
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Post by allyny on Jan 1, 2013 16:03:50 GMT 1
Thanks everyone. Well I guess I feel a bit better knowing shes not the only one! The days may be a smidgen longer now, but I need to have a word in her big fluffy ear, that we haven't had any winter weather yet! Happy New Year  Modified to add - I've googled moulting but can't find anything health wise that would suggest a problem, but I'd be interested if anyone has any info or ideas. |
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