Horse Hair and Clipping Myths

A horse’s brain may seem distracted by food sometimes, but they know how to regulate their hair growth and shedding cycles. While there are exceptions to most horse “rules,” horse hair and clipping myths still persist. Let’s bust ’em up.

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Some horses benefit from blankets! Others don’t.

Horse Hair Myths

Myth: Coats grow according to temperatures and weather

A horse’s brain notices the seasons changing, and will shed and re-grow a coat depending on how many daylight hours are registered by their eyes.

After the summer solstice in June, daylight hours start to decrease. Six weeks later, give or take, horses begin to shed and grow a winter coat.

After the winter solstice in December, daylight hours start to increase. About six weeks later, the shedding process starts, followed by the new summer coat growing in. Most of us notice this shedding easier than in fall – there is just so much winter coat to drop.

The shedding and growing process takes weeks to months – but by the time hot and cold weather arrives, your horse has the appropriate coat.

Myth: Manes don’t have nerves, so a horse doesn’t feel mane pulling.

Hair is an integral part of a horse’s skin. In the skin, hair follicles grow and house an individual strand of hair. Oil glands, sweat glands, and nerves live amongst the hair, too.

Many horses don’t mind mane pulling, but that doesn’t mean their manes don’t have nerves. Some horses intensely dislike their mane being pulled, and obviously protest.

Wide-tooth combs and brushes are best for tails

Myth: You should never brush a tail

The primary reason for never brushing a horse’s tail is to prevent hair loss. But, hair loss is a normal part of the hair life cycle. Of course, it takes years for a single tail hair to grow, but it will eventually fall out. Properly brushing the tail removes hair at the end of the life cycle.

However – correct brushing takes a few steps. The tail should be relatively clean and conditioned, with no giant knots or tangles. Use a wide-tooth comb or brush to work from the bottom up.

When the tail is ignored or picked, tangles are more likely. And when you do brush, there will be an extensive collection of hair that seems like you are ruining the tail – but you are only removing what has already been set free.

However – take care to avoid breakage of the hair. Prevent breakage with good nutrition and good grooming habits. Add products to the tail to help prevent tangles, too.

Clipping Myths

Myth: There’s an exact right time to clip

Clipping your horse isn’t dependent on the calendar. Clip when your horse needs it. If the winter coat comes while it’s still hot outside, which it can, clip to improve your horse’s comfort. Same for the spring – you can lob off the winter coat if your horse is uncomfortable.

The glorious feathers can be wonderful or a petri dish for mystery science experiments.

Myth: You should never clip horse feathers

Horse feathers are a defining feature of so many breeds and can function to channel water away from the hoof. Feathers are also masters at trapping moisture, bacteria, fungus, and mites that can create painful skin infections.

Clipping feathers may prevent skin troubles and make applying topical medications much more manageable and effective.

For horses that wear polo wraps or protective boots, clipping may also help them fit better and trap less dirt underneath.

Myth: Body clipping is unnecessary

Many horses will never need to be fully body clipped. While body clipping can be cosmetic for the show horse, the main reason to clip is to help regulate sweat in cold weather and prevent overheating in warm weather. Horses with skin conditions may also benefit from body clipping.

As always, let your horse’s needs dictate how to care for their skin and coat.

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