Horses start early getting their bodies ready for the winter cold. After the longest day of the year: summer solstice-June 22, receptors (which are receivers of information) in the horse's eyes detect the shortening of daylight. This information is sent to the brain. The shorter days and cold weather tells the horse's body to releases special hormones. These hormones inform the haircoat to stop sleeping, wake-up, and grow.
How thick and long a horse's hair will grow depends on the temperature. Some people will keep a horse in a stable with the lights on all day and night to stop the winter hair growth. If a horse does not have their winter coat they must depend on humans to blanket them and keep them warm in a barn when it gets cold.
Many horses that have a full winter coat look like giant teddy bears. By the shortest day of the year-winter solstice December 22 the horse has stopped growing his winter coat.
The longer daylight triggers his summer coat to start growing in. The thick teddy bear lighter colored hair will start shedding. By summer you'll see the handsome sleek darker colored coat again.
Horses can't read a person's calendar. Nature provided an internal clock to keep these beautiful animals warm and cool no matter what the season.
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