Nearly 2,400 readers of TheHorse.com responded to a poll asking, “Do you help your horses shed their winter coats?”

• Yes, with a curry or lots of brushing: 95.29% (2,247)
  
• Yes, by bathing: 21.84% (515)
  
• I clip my horse: 9.37% (221)
  
• Yes, with a vacuum: 6.32% (149)
  
• Yes, I supply a rubbing post: 4.03% (95)
  
• I don’t help my horses shed their winter coats: 2.59% (61)

Readers shared their tips on helping their horses shed in the comments below.

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• Use a “slick and easy”
  
• Blanketing
  
• I only use a shedding blade sparingly
  
• I also use a shedding blade
  
• I have an Electro-Groom and love it!!
  
• Double edge shedding blade and sand to roll in
  
• Lots of currying/then clipping before a show.
  
• A good scrubby bath really helps shedding
  
• Good Deworming, Good Grooming, Bathing and sunshine:0)
  
• Good brushing after they have worked really helps
  
• Flax meal makes the winter hair just fall out and leaves a beautiful coat underneath
  
• Stand up wind.
  
• If you don’t groom your horse, you should be doing so.
  
• Add corn oil to feed
  
• I add corn oil to their daily feed, they shed out quicker and their coats shine
  
• For our woolliest residents we use a “dethatching” tool used for Icelandics.
  
• And a shedding blade…
  
• Make sure the wind is blowing in the right direction, nothing worse then a mouth full of horsehair!
  
• A little elbow grease goes a long ways to help shed your horse’s coat.
  
• Shedding blade works great also
  
• I use the metal shedder when I rinse him off on warm days too
  
• I also have my horses on a product called dac orange that helps minimize their winter coat
  
• I fasten a push broom head on a VERY secure post
  
• I also use a shedding blade
  
• Don’t get much winter coat in AZ esp. with a blanket
  
• Rice bran supplement
  
• Vigorously Curry at least once a day everyday.
  
• Good old shedding blade!
  
• We have heat in the day and snow at night till June
  
• I also put a light on them in the early spring to make the days seem longer sooner
  
• I use a slick and easy and supplement with flax and BOSS
  
• Some can be “plucked” like chickens, too.
  
• My guy is a fur ball living in NC – go figure.
  
• Erratic weather changes here in NE TN. We bathe when weather permits, daily grooming w/ curry & br.
  
• First curry and then use the stone.
  
• Take a horse for a ride; get really sweaty, brush and bath helps
  
• Every day
  
• Yes, and no.most of it is up to them.
  
• I think it is very important for both horse and rider to spend as much time grooming as possible
  
• I use the Furminator, a shedding brush.
  
• A trace clip can help your shaggy horse get thru spring w/o much blanketing.
  
• Try skin and coat supplements. That also helped my mare that was difficult to shed.
  
• Furminators really work
  
• Lots of brushing and enough places for them to roll and rub
  
• I let the horses groom each other, and then I brush the remainder off with a shedding blade and curry
  
• My horse has Cushing’s disease and doesn’t shed on his own.
  
• I use a wire “brush” that is usually used on dogs. Never on the lower legs but for the back, ribs a
  
• Shedding blade is used a LOT
  
• I brush my horse every day, year round.
  
• I don’t do nearly as much as I should; a net-lined sheet helps a lot too
  
• Grill stone
  
• I curry and use a shedding blade a few times a week until all shedded out
  
• Grooming stones really take off the loose hair.
  
• Slick n’ Easy turns him from a yak to a horse again!
  
• Also use a shedding blade – daily
  
• When I help them shed, they stop scratching.
  
• I bought a furminator for my dog, and it did wonders for my Paso Fino shedding.
  
• After I curry, then I give a bath, then turn them out in the arena with sand so they can roll.
  
• Slick & easy blocks work well also
  
• Mine love to roll
  
• Love my vacuum!
  
• For slow to shed ponies – oil baths help
  
• Shedding blades and good nutrition
  
• I also use a shedding blade
  
• Using my bare hands work best and the horses love it.
  
• I use a round metal curry, a lollipop curry and a lava stone
  
• We body clip the horses going to shows and curry the others
  
• Cushing’s mare, treated with pergolide, needs lots of brushing and belly clip for comfort.
  
• Feed a fat supp.,rice bran or coat conditioner to help for a few weeks.Kim,Reno
  
• My horses seem to like this one the best!
  
• I use a curry and a shedding blade…then brush.
  
• I use one of those little Grooma Shedding Flowers, they stay in your hand and work great!
  
• Brushing will naturally help, if your horse is ready to shed.
  
• Shed’N blade or rubber mitt works great!
  
• I also plan to put up a post with some brushes attached to it for them to rub on.
  
• supplement w/ flaxseed to give glossy coat
  
• Horses love good daily circular motion brushing & a bath really helps them to stop itching so badly!
  
• So FL not much of a winter coat, but enough to require currying daily.
  
• brush..brush…brush…and then brush myself off!
  
• We show year round so I don’t let my horse grow a winter coat by keeping lights on during the winter
  
• shedding blade
  
• it’s either brush it, or wear it on my sleeve!
  
• I think I’ve brushed myself some carpal tunnel syndrome, but he sure looks shiny!!!
  
• dont like to see a fuzzy dirty horse when the weather starts getting warmer
  
• All my animals use the Scratchnall. The animals use it, I don’t. Awesome!
  
• we have 9 so we pretty much do anything we can to help, short of vacuuming them.
  
• also a hack saw blade does wonderful to help with the shedding
  
• also PVC fly sheets help with shedding
  
• lots and lots of brushing
  
• exercising your horse, whether by riding or lunging, helps them part with their coats
  
• of course that dead itchy hair is awful!
  
• Use rubber brush that gets to the skin and lifts loose hair.
  
• Slick Bricks work really well also
  
• just put on that old shirt and curry like mad
  
• let them roll in the sand arena and have a rubbing post
  
• if there is water my mare helps shed herself
  
• Add soya oil to their feed
  
• Uless there is a cold spell predicted as it is happ0ening this year. I don’t help them shed with f
  
• Flaxseed meal helps too, dun horse is the worst
  
• Our first show of the year was April 4/5/6 and both my geldings had to be clipped and clean.
  
• I am the rubbing post!!
  
• Using Sulfur salt blocks instead of mineral blocks will help shed faster.
  
• The Mini’s may get clipped. But the ridding horses shed out with lots of brushing
  
• i love to brush my horses and they get free time grazing while I bursh/curry. great trust builder
  
• lots of grooming, the mare enjoys it and it’s good exercize for me
  
• shedding blocks are the best
  
• Lights go on automatic
  
• By the beginning of May, my horses’ winter coat is all shed.
  
• I give corn oil also in the spring
  
• Horses are clipped,fall/winter/spring. Although I own 11 I’m allergic to horse hair
  
• use of a shedding bar is the easiest way to shed off winter hair
  
• plus letting them out t roll, helps my allergies better than all the brushing
  
• My horse NEVER grow winter coats.
  
• I keep lights on all winter long and feed coat and vitamin suppliments
  
• 1 IR/C, 1 IR – LOTS of brushing…
  
• In spring you should brush them five times a day to hoelp them.
  
• The shedding blade gets used a lot! With over 25 horses…it’s not daily..but it sure helps
  
• Our weather variables have made me less agressive about shedding.
  
• In addition to curry
  
• brushed before & after a ride, plenty of trees for rubbing
  
• a metal spring curry that the farmers used on cows works great on horses and they love it
  
• They just love the massage !
  
• Lots of currying and use of a shedding blade gives me enough hair to make a pony!
  
• Corn Oil helps too.
  
• all of the about
  
• Stand upwind!
  
• Love the Slick and Easy!! Nothing works better to get those under hairs off and put a shine on them
  
• they enjoy it.must be itchy.
  
• The need the extra help..plus if feels good to them.
  
• shedding blade to start then rubber curry everywhere
  
• I do continue to brush them when shedding out but usually I just end up with a mouthful of hair
  
• To accelerate the horses’ shedding, we mix 1 c. cottonseed meal with their daily grain ration.
  
• some brushing with a shedding blade – they love it!
  
• TWO YOUNGER HORSES SHED OUT EASY BY BRUSH, OLDER HORSE 27 TAKES WEEKS.
  
• My old mare I have to clip once most of the hair is shed.Round springy metal curry & palm curry really help.
  
• Regular grooming is beneficial as the transition is so intensely itchy for my horse
  
• I use a shedder and also the tank vac when too cold to bathe.
  
• When we had our mares we really never brushed them much.
  
• Shed blade, curry brush and alot of elbow grease!
  
• use blankets all winter so there is not much to shed
  
• A draw knife type srapper (handle on both ends, saratted edge), works GREAT!
  
• A shedding blade is very effective for heavy coat.
  
• and they do appreciate it! — bathing ONLY when weather appropriate
  
• Lots of currying is esp. appreciated as my Icelandic suffers from sweet itch (onset in spring)
  
• That stinky slick stone and an old-fashioned rubber curry!
  
• We also use our horses, sweat from a good workout removes a lot of winter coat.
  
• My minis take forever to shed, and some have VERY thick coats. Those, I clip. They get too hot.
  
• The mules get body clipped
  
• I add a little corn oil to their feed.
  
• I sometimes clip the legs – but not body
  
• I use a shedding blade and a shedding stone which works great and helps polish the coat.
  
• That beard was 5 1/2 inches long!
  
• I feel they will not itch as much and they look nicer faster
  
• I just work with the riding horses, not the youngsters.
  
• Just CURRY for starters! then vacuum. Then CURRY more !
  
• jute bag rug helps rip out the coat
  
• It depends. I dont help until it is into spring enough that it will not get cold over night.
  
• Also by scratching on them – they love it and it takes out more hair
  
• we use a shedding blade and a rubber curry almost daily…UGH
  
• Starting in January I leave the barn lights on until 10 pm. By April 1st my horses are “slick”
  
• Round metal currys with teeth and/or shedding blades
  
• I enjoy grooming, and my horses love it as well.
  
• using a shedding blade
  
• I generally use a shedding blade and several different brushes to help them shed their winter coat.
  
• I use a shed blade gently on a daily basis this time of year.
  
• Sometimes you can just pluck it out while petting. She likes it!
  
• I have rugs that take the loose coat out but she doesnt grow a coat in winter
  
• I clip my mule twice a year
  
• always clip horses being worked
  
• I put on a fly sheet and it does all the work!
  
• I also feed Platinum Performance which seems to shorten the shedding season.
  
• Grooming is a way to show my love for my beloveds.
  
• And they wear blankets all winter
  
• I start brushing with a curry comb as soon as the horse starts to look like it is shedding.
  
• Shedding blades are the best thing ever.
  
• I can only bathe when it gets above 75 because there isn’t any outside hot water here.
  
• I use the Furminator.
  
• Not until it stays warm enough at night (MN).
  
• I also blanket my show horse
  
• using babyoil, if at shedding max, will get rid of the loose hair
  
• I clip everybody… keeps them from getting overheated during workouts
  
• Use shedding brush
  
• I buy a cheap lava rock from home depot used to clean grills.
  
• All get grooming; Cushings horse is sometimes body clipped depending on weather.
  
• I use a shedding blade, curry and than brush.
  
• his companion pony completes the job
  
• not all the time. just our older guy
  
• I use a furminator
  
• I leave stall light in til late Pm, groomingwhen the temperature gets warm enough in Minnesota I will give a bath
  
• Not until it gets quite warm or I want to saddle up
  
• shedding blade and lots of repeat grooming with blade between all other brushes too
  
• I start as soon as they start, this helps in less heat, and sweat while riding.
  
• We also add black oil sunflower seeds to feed. helps shedding and shiny coats
  
• It doesn’t seem to matter whether I help or not.
  
• Elbow grease!
  
• wrap a 1″or 3/4″ minila or nylon rope(50ft) around a post. Works great.
  
• I use a rubber curry to help shed loose winter hair
  
• I do everything I can to help my horses.
  
• elbow grease and lots of it!
  
• I use a double shed blade on my pony, a single on my warmblood whose skin is more sensitive
  
• I also add supplements that help them shed
  
• Depends on the horse. My riding horses are clipped, my pasture horses shed by themseves.
  
• Lots of elbow grease, a curry mitt and a ShopVac.
  
• I clip the minis and the big guys get lots of bathing and brushing!!
  
• Brushing my horse everyday gives us one on one time for the new season
  
• I think of it as helping the birds line their nests.
  
• I also give them cottonseed meal.
  
• I use a shedding blade as a part of routine grooming.
  
• It’s always exciting to see a new horse emerge!
  
• My mare has Cushing’s; I clip in the spring otherwise she sweats heavily with work.
  
• with proper nutrition and a good curry, it’s always out by april 15th
  
• it also helps with bonding
  
• I also use a shedding blade.
  
• I use a shedding blade on them each day
  
• Sheddin blade, and lights
  
• I also feed them Flax Seed which helps them shed out in the Spring
  
• and shedding blade
  
• yes,with a shedding blade if the hair is loose and ready to come out,it helps with itchiness
  
• feed flax seed starting in october
  
• I use a “Furminator” daily and it works great!
  
• FURMINATOR! Oricey but worth every penny.
  
• when grooming my 2 horses to help them shed out I thing by the time I tire out from grooming I am g
  
• I have found dog brushes to be very useful…the kind with the pins, and also an undercoat rake
  
• curry, curry, curry
  
• good ol’curring
  
• Shedding Blade
  
• Actually, I use a shedding blade and a Grooma curry.
  
• I love the grooming stones rather than a urry or shedding blade.
  
• I start night blanketing Feb 1 as well.
  
• i use a shedding stone
  
• only my pony who is especially hairy, the others do fine on their own
  
• use plastic circular brush, rinse often in water, keeps brush clean, stops loose hair floating about
  
• I start in late Feb. and this really seems to help because my horses are very hairy
  
• The Shedding Flower is fabulous!
  
• Curry, curry, curry . . . oh, and the ever-useful shedding blade.
  
• Lots of brushing and rubbing
  
• They loved to be brushed
  
• BRUSH TONS THEY LOVE IT ANYWAYS! 🙂
  
• I want to help them shed their coats because the obviously itch. They scratch themselves on trees.
  
• I use a Furminator on horses & my Danes!
  
• I use a shedding blade followed by stiff body brush
  
• Love the horse hair sweatshirt I wear to the grocery store afterwards!
  
• The hair comes loose easier after excersice, when they are warm.
  
• A dog slicker brush works well and keeps flying hair to a minimum.
  
• Put a blanket on overnight once a week then groom.
  
• With just a low trace clip, there is still lots to curry. A shedding blade after bathing is good too
  
• daily brushing
  
• extend daylight hours by artificial light beginning in January
  
• My horses use the barn doorway as a rubbing post.
  
• BRUSH, BRUSH, BRUSH!!! 🙂
  
• I curry and curry but also feed a supplement year round for coats and hooves.
  
• Lost of burshing and a shop vac gets the hair off them and keeps it off of you.
  
• Grooma then cactus cloth and lots of elbow grease!! for a beautiful shiny coat
  
• The longest coat is the Cushing’s horse, but at least he is shedding.
  
• Giving crushed flax seed is a help along with curry and brushing.
  
• shed blade works best!
  
• Full body clip, everything but mane and tail.
  
• constant brushing
  
• I CLIP IN oCTOBER & STAY BLANKE
  
• DT & KEPT BRUSHED
  
• 2 words: “mud mitt”
  
• I also use a shedding stone. Those work really well.
  
• In addition to clipping one horse I use a shedding blade along with vigorous brushing & a vacuum
  
• Use corn or wheat germ oil on feed to help slick them out too.
  
• The trick is to get the fur off the horses without applying all of it to me.
  
• Lots of help from the shedding blade!
  
• Feed extra MSM in theSpring
  
• Adding flax/oil seeds to the diet can help.
  
• My horses LOVE a fine tooth metal comb (rounded tips & use flat). They stand like angels, no halter
  
• that new furmilator is great!
  
• we are the rubbing post, our hands!
  
• curry, curry, curry; turn out, turn out, turn out
  
• Slick n Easy grooming blocks work great, we call them slicker stones. Cheap, last a long time
  
• The faster, the better!!!
  
• FURMINATOR!!
  
• The new brush out for dogs undercoat removal works wonders on a horse
  
• I add oil to the feed to make the coat shiny, and a metal shedding blade to remove dead hair
  
• I found a grooming stone at my feed store, looks like black lava rock, and it works wonders to shed
  
• Shedding blades are the way to go!
  
• a ‘grooming block’ goes a long way
  
• We clip our older pony just to make him more comfortable.
  
• I add freshly ground flax seed and black oil sunflower seeds to their ration to help.
  
• Brush, curry, shedding blade, curry, brush – daily. And wear a nylon running suit to keep self clean
  
• I also pull out clumps by hand!
  
• I use my hand….it works the best of anything
  
• also feed veg oil in hopes it will help them shed out
  
• also use a pumice block to help pull hair off.
  
• flax seed helps
  
• A shedding stone is better than a curry comb and not as rough on thin skinned horses
  
• Shedding blade and corn oil in feed
  
• currycomb/brushes or leave blanket on a little bit longer (if they’re warm, hair comes off sooner
  
• Use curry comb while horse is wet, gets the hair off even more and it doesnt blow in your face eithe
  
• Rubber “finger” brushes work best!
  
• Shedding itches! Scratching their hard-to-reach itches is a great way to bond with your horses.
  
• A dog dematting comb works great to pull of big wads of hair off of really furry horses.