Wednesday, February 6, 2013

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...


17 comments:

  1. As always Harley is very photogenic. Love that last picture!

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  2. The long hairs give them the wild man look... :D

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  3. So cute! I love Shy fuzzy, but I have to be careful with buckling her harness on...the hairs get caught.

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    1. I noticed that can happen with the girth and bridle, too. It is an interesting contrast with the summer coat.

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    2. For sure! I like to think of the winter fuzz as cute and the summer coat as more sleek and pretty. I like them both.

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  4. I love furry coats, too. Pie's just started to shed a bit - he's always my first - so spring can't be too far behind . . .

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  5. I guess with female horses, the beard might not be as welcomed. Your "bearded lady" comment is funny!

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  6. Pete is starting to shed his winter woollies too so time to break out the shedding blades and quic screen is I want him to stay black.

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    1. I am not familiar with quic screen. I guess it is to prevent sun-bleaching. Harley has that in his mane.

      My shedding blade will be out before long, but we have a huge storm on the way right now.

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    2. Yeah it's to prevent sun bleaching. Especially useful here in Louisiana.

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  7. Shedding already? Laz waits until April ;) I agree I leave all hairs/whiskers in tact but I'm always tempted to trim it up or even do a classic looking clip job on him....but I can't and there is zero reason for me to other than just wanting him to look glorious ;)
    Val's coloring/changing is so fun!!!

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  8. Harley is hopelessly handsome, hairy and shed out! I loved this writing, Val!
    Mine being hotter hardly ever gets hair that amounts to much...but when she sheds,I always wonder when she grew it!

    I made a mistake today in a
    reply to a comment...I said"Val's girl", I meant Harley's girl" you!

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  9. I like the rugged outdoorsy look. Then in summer, I like the sleek shiny neatened up look. I am pretty easy to please I guess. I am happy you keep him natural and let him decide his wardrobe. :-)

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