The Horses Are Shedding!

We are nearing the end of shedding season and I don’t know about you but I have serious spring fever.  We still have snow on the ground but it’s melting quickly. The days are getting longer which has me dreaming of warmer temperatures and morning rides out on the trail.  I don’t clip my horses simply because, in a harsh climate like ours, I believe their natural coat is best at keeping them warm. It’s a long shedding season but I’m so excited that it’s here!

I’ve tried my share of deshedding tools over the years but I’m always looking for the new, magic tool that will make grooming quick and easy!

My deshedding tools have evolved over time.  When I was a kid we used the metal shedder blade horse scraper with the handle that you could open and hold one with each hand and glide it over the horse.  From what I remember that tool worked well.  

This season I’ve used the Oster Equine Mane & Tail Brush. I’ve had this brush for years and randomly grabbed it one day to brush the shedding hair. It works so well and keeps the hair contained in the brush so cleanup was easy! I actually don’t use it for the mane and tail because I don’t like how it breaks the hair. So glad I discovered it for deshedding!

I also have used the Epona rubber curry in combo with the SleekEZ. Years ago I originally bought the SleekEZ for my dog but somehow it migrated out to the barn where is has stayed.  I find this type of shedding blade works really well for horses.  I have a thin-skinned, more sensitive horse and he is perfectly happy when I use this tool.  So currently I’m using the Epona rubber curry and my SleekEZ.  

I also use the Strip Hair. I really like this tool for deshedding their faces and heads and actually prefer it for removing dried mud on their coats and rubbing hair off my saddle pads before they go into the wash.

In the past I did a poll on Instagram.  A large majority of horse owners are using the SleekEZ.  The second most popular deshedding tool was a curry…Rubber and Flower being the most popular while some horse owners use the old-school metal curry.  A few horse owners swore by the Shedding Block / Bot Block.  HandsOn Gloves were also very popular. And Strip Hair was used by many.

Check out my Amazon Storefront for items listed. #Ad