06/02/2026
A lot of people are having trouble with their horses shesding out this year of course we've had a lot of cold days , nights and mornings here in northwestern Pennsylvania in the northern part of the East Coast.... Weather contributes a lot to this daylight sunshine ( natural vit D) an pasture quality contributes a lot also but here are some helpful things that I looked up and found If you need advice. The best thing to do when you're not sure is get blood work done from your veterinarian!! Start there first. Helpful info ......................... what could be the different causes of a horse that has trouble shedding out and is an otherwise good health +16 View allDelayed shedding in an otherwise healthy horse usually stems from hormonal imbalances, environmental factors, or nutritional gaps. While the horse may appear to be in good overall condition, these underlying issues can disrupt the natural shedding cycle.Several primary culprits can delay or prevent a horse from shedding out their winter coat:1. Hormonal ImbalancesEquine Cushingโs Disease (PPID): Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction is the most common medical cause of delayed shedding, especially in horses over the age of 15. A long, shaggy coat that refuses to dropโeven when the horse acts completely normalโis one of the hallmark signs of early PPID.Hypothyroidism: Though less common in horses than in humans, low thyroid function can suppress the metabolism and significantly delay the shedding cycle.Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS): Metabolic issues can interfere with the body's natural hormone cycles, contributing to abnormal hair growth and shedding patterns.2. Nutritional DeficienciesThe process of growing and shedding hair requires a tremendous amount of protein, vitamins, and minerals. Even well-fed horses can fall short if their diet lacks specific nutrients:Trace Minerals: Deficiencies in zinc and copper are notorious for causing poor coat quality and delayed shedding.Amino Acids: A lack of essential amino acids (like lysine and methionine) can stall hair follicle turnover.Vitamins: Deficiencies in B-complex vitamins, particularly biotin, can impact hair growth.3. Environmental and Lifestyle FactorsInsufficient Light: Horses shed in response to increasing daylight (photoperiod). Horses kept in heavily shaded areas, dark stalls, or those wearing heavy winter blankets might not receive enough light exposure to trigger the brain to shed.Lack of Exercise: Turnout and exercise improve blood circulation to the skin, which helps stimulate the hair follicles and naturally loosen the old coat.4. Underlying Stress or ParasitesChronic Infections or Illness: The body may suppress hair growth as a survival mechanism to conserve nutrients for healing or immune support, even before obvious symptoms of illness appear.Parasite Overload: A heavy burden of worms or other parasites saps the horse's energy and nutritional resources, often resulting in a dull, hard-to-shed coat.What to Do NextIt is highly recommended to consult your veterinarian to determine the exact cause, especially to rule out PPID. A simple resting blood test or a physical evaluation can give you peace of mind.To help identify the root cause of the shedding issue, sharing a few more details can be very helpful:How old is the horse?What does their current diet look like (e.g., grain, forage, or supplements)?How much turnout or sunlight do they get daily?especially if your animal is 15+. A long haircoat that fails to shed ...Mar 18, 2026 โ Shedding season is right around the corner! ๐ธ However, you notice that your equine friend is clinging to their winter coat longer than they should, it might be...www.facebook.comยทAmerican Association of Equine PractitionersCoat Condition - Kentucky Equine ResearchJan 11, 2018 โ As we emerge out of winter and start getting the rugs off our horses, something we immediately notice is the condition of their coat. The condition of your hors...www.ker.comHow to help your horse shed faster this spring โ KensingtonApr 9, 2026 โ Delayed shedding can indicate several issues. The most common is PPID (Cushing's disease), a hormonal condition that affects older horses. Other causes include ...kensingtonproducts.comNutritional Support for Shedding - Dr. K's Horse SenseMar 21, 2020 โ Supplementation of the three most important essential amino acids โ lysine, methionine and threonine โ may be helpful during shedding. A ratio of 10-5-2 for lys...drkhorsesense.wordpress.comPoor Coat Condition in Horses - Causes, Treatment and ... - VetsterDec 31, 2023 โ Key takeaways. Poor coat condition is characterized by a dry, coarse texture to the haircoat that lacks luster and shine. Healthy horses can experience changes ...vetster.comShedding (or Perhaps Not Shedding), Brought to you by Banixx ...Apr 2, 2020 โ Problems that cause a horse to not shed or not shed well: * Low thyroid function. * Pituitary Pars intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) โ Equine Cushing's Disease whic...eventingnation.comWhy horses shed in spring: The science behind your horse's coat ...Mar 19, 2026 โ What does it mean if my horse isn't shedding by May? Delayed shedding can indicate several issues: Equine Cushing's Disease (PPID), thyroid dysfunction, poor nu...kensingtonproducts.comWhat Equine Shedding Season Tells You About Your Horseโs HealthApr 16, 2025 โ ๐ฉ When Shedding Signals Trouble On the flip side, an unusual coatโwhether it's delayed shedding, patchy molting, or dull, dry hairโcan hint at underlying issue...drgarbers.comDelayed Shedding | Dr. K's Horse Sense - WordPress.comApr 5, 2021 โ In this condition, the stress of a chronic health problem causes the body to suppress thyroid function to lower metabolism and conserve nutrients for whatever t...drkhorsesense.wordpress.comWhy Your Horse is Not Shedding - Pro Equine GroomsAn equine veterinarian can help determine if slow shedding indicates hormonal imbalances, Cushing's disease, or poor nutrition. That's a lot of winter coat. Oth...proequinegrooms.comTHYROID FUNCTION AND DYSFUNCTION IN HORSESBoth hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism have been described in the horse, but true thyroid gland dysfunction is probably much rarer in horses than in some other...www.cabidigitallibrary.orgShedding in Horses: Everything Horse Owners Need to Know NowA balanced diet is crucial to support the shedding process. During this time, horses need extra nutrients to facilitate a healthy and complete coat change. Ensu...sanoanimal.comSkin health and coat change in horses โ How to optimally support yourProviding additional essential vitamins, minerals, and proteins can help facilitate this process. It is especially important to ensure an adequate supply of tra...www.nikolaus-nature.comTop 7 Nutrient Deficiencies in Horses โ [Signs & Symptoms]Oct 17, 2023 โ Preventing Nutrient Deficiencies. A common strategy to correct for nutrient deficiencies is to feed your horse a complete feed or ration balancer that contains ...madbarn.comHorse Health: Should you be concerned if your horse is shedding?Apr 25, 2018 โ Horses that carry a heavy intestinal parasite burden begin to look unthrifty, lose body condition and shed out poorly as the worms draw nutrients away from the ...www.manitobacooperator.caDealing with lazy horsesApr 12, 2018 โ Do a worm count. Sometimes a parasite burden is behind a horse's lethargy and can hinder the body's uptake of nutrients and energy from food.www.viovet.co.ukHorse owners, take care of my horseIt is recommended to change products regularly to avoid problems of parasite resistance. A horse that is affected by a high parasite load will not be able to be...www.royal-horse.comThe Long & Short of Equine CoatsJun 27, 2025 โ Parasite load In earlier eras, before diligent deworming programs were the norm, heavy parasite burdens would lead to a dull coat as the horse's nutritional res...equusmagazine.com
