Well its spring here in Florida.  Everything is blooming.  Now that’s not to say that we won’t get another frost, but I’m really starting to believe we won’t.  While we’re enjoy near 80 degree weather, with beautiful sunshine here, I know a good part of the country is having snow storms.  But hang in there, there is hope.

I know most horses have started shedding.  Yay!!!  We get so tired of the long thick hair. We can’t wait for them to start losing all that fluff, until we have our eyes and mouths full of that stuff.  If we’re brave enough we will pull out our body clippers and end the pain right now.  However, most just wait it out.

It’s very rewarding to groom your horse and see the difference, or maybe not.  You’ve just spent a good hour shedding out your horse and the darn stuff is still there.  It looks like something tore a bunny apart in your barn and yard.  You’re covered head to toe. You new puppy runs by grabbing a mouthful and looks like Santa Dog.  You’ve got some in your eye so you take your hand to get it out and deposit more in its place.  It’s in your hair and other places that you don’t even want to think about.  You now have more hair on you than your horse has on him.  Oh the joys of horse ownership.

Just keep in mind that it’s also on the inside of his blanket and saddle pad,  it will mat and cause bald spots and sores if you don’t also keep your equipment clean.  Don’t forget to look for skin damage under all that loose hair.  Fungus, sores, irritations are all common.

Remember, they will shed out.  You will stop finding hair in your dinner, tooth-brush, hair brush, and shower drain.  When you do finally find the dirt and grass again, remember to start back slowly, both for you and your horse.  You both are a few months older than when you went into winter, and you both will feel it for a while.  Your horse may not tell you, but believe me, it’s for real.

Believe that this winter will come to an end.  It always does, eventually.