How to Shed Your Shetland Pony Using the Furminator

If you own a Shetland pony then you already know what the winter coat looks like. Nothing compares with the amount of hair that comes off one of these ponies in the springtime. In the past, we have always used the trustworthy shedding blade to remove the loose hair. For weeks, we are brushing, pulling, and trimming trying to give the pony some relief from the heat. Can you try to imagine what it must be like to wear a fur coat outside in 90-degree weather? A few weeks ago, while visiting the veterinarian I saw the Furminator. One employee mentioned how great it worked on horses, so I thought I’d try it.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A Furminator
• A Shetland pony losing a winter coat

1. Begin by pressing firmly, teeth-side down, on the side of the pony. Pull the Furminator along the side of the pony in the same direction that the hair lays. Repeat in the same line until you have removed most of the loose hair. Then move down a few inches and repeat until you have removed the loose hair from the side.

2. 
    
   Pull towards yourself

   Stand beside the pony to groom the underbelly. Press firmly against the belly and pull the Furminator towards your body. Repeat this step until you have removed most of the loose hair.

3. Lift the mane of the horse. Press the teeth of the Furminator teeth firmly against the neck of the horse and pull in the direction that the hair lays. Repeat until you have removed most of the loose hair from the neck.

4. 
    
   In the Direction the hair lays

   Move to the horse’s buttocks. Press the teeth of the Furminator teeth firmly against the buttocks of the horse and pull in the direction that the hair lays. Repeat until you have removed most of the loose hair from the buttocks.

5. Go around to the other side of the pony and repeat steps one through four.

Tips & Warnings

• Did you know that chiropractors used horsehair to stuff the pads on their manipulation tables years ago?
• Maybe you could save the excess horsehair and use it to stuff an antique chair.
• The Furminator also works well on horses and dogs.
• When you have removed all of the excess hair you should give your pony a shower and shampoo.
• Some ponies try to kick people who stand behind them. Know your pony’s temperament, or stand slightly off to one side and not directly behind the buttocks.

Resources

• How to Clean Your Horse’s Hooves
• How to Know When You Can Start Collecting Milk From a Cow
• How to Raise Champion Geese for 4-H or Pleasure
• How to Raise Champion Turkeys for 4-H or Pleasure
• Parenting tips
• Foster care and adoption advice

[painthorse42]

on 10/5/2008 Good article about grooming! 5*