sizzlestud
Tourist
Hey everyone. I am curious who all shaves there equines for the summer and who doesn't. In the mainstream equine world this seems to be more controversial than i thought and i am interested in your opinions. Some say not to shave as the extra hair protect from flies, other say shaving keeps northern animals who have trouble shedding cooler in the summer and less stressed.
I do a combo of both. My miniature donkey and a few others get shaved most years as they do not shed until labor day. They enjoy it when they get shaved and seem to be much less stressed and sweaty. All the horses and mules shed out on their own so there is no need to shave them. I have never experienced a difference in flies bothering the shaved ones vs unshaved but i also keep my paddocks quite clean.
I do a combo of both. My miniature donkey and a few others get shaved most years as they do not shed until labor day. They enjoy it when they get shaved and seem to be much less stressed and sweaty. All the horses and mules shed out on their own so there is no need to shave them. I have never experienced a difference in flies bothering the shaved ones vs unshaved but i also keep my paddocks quite clean.