Buttermilk Buckskin: Winter Fuzz

I know that our horses' winter coats can be a hassle, but something about long hair is just so romantic.  I may not feel that way once shedding season begins or if Harley decides to roll in the mud, but for now, it looks pretty cool.

The setting sun added to the ambiance and made his coat look more golden than usual.

Did you know that those longer hairs on his jowls, belly, and legs are functional?  If the horse is precipitated upon, the rain or melting snow will travel down the longer hairs and off his coat.  This helps to keep his undercoat and skin dry, which helps him maintain his body temperature in inclement weather.  It is for this reason that I never trim these hairs during the winter months.  And plus, Harley lives out.

Fuzzy ears: I make sure that I free them from the browband.  This picture was taken in artificial lighting.

As much as I like his winter duds, I enjoy trimming the hairs that remain once he does shed out.  My horse transforms into a delicate-looking animal again, with the help of the clippers.  That sort of thing satisfies the left side of my brain and the right side gets to have fun matching the curvature of his jaw and cheek.  Despite what the groundhog says, it still seems to be too early to charge up the clippers...