What are the pros and cons of trimming your horse's ear hair?
Your horse's ears are covered in hair - the inside, the outside, and the edges! It can create a nice picture to have trimmed up ears. Or you can leave them fuzzy.
The hair inside the horse's ears helps with insect control. It's theorized that some types of flies transmit viruses that create aural plaques in the ears. These sometimes painful growths look a bit like cauliflower. Other insects, known as midges, contribute to the horrible and itchy skin infection known as sweet itch. Not every horse is susceptible to this, but having some hair on the ears can help keep midges away. Ticks can also find a meal inside of an ear.
On the flip side, fuzzy ears are less likely to make any skin condition or insect problem obvious. A daily inspection with your fingertips will reveal scabs, ticks, and other skin problems.
Fuzzy horse ears keep the sun's UV rays from creating sunburn in the ears. In the winter, ear hair helps protect the skin from frostbite, although it can still happen in extreme cases.
Some horses get a bit of gunk built up on the ear hair. Towards the bottom of the ear is the usual spot for goopy strands to clump together. Rule out any strange issues with your vet, and groom as necessary.
Ear trimming options
You can leave it all wild and natural! That's certainly an option for any horse, even show horses.
You can opt to trim the edges of the ears. This presents a clean outer edge of the horse's ear. Towards the bottom, where there might be some goop collected, trim any dirty hair.
You can choose to clip the outside of the ears. In conjunction with a body clip or trace clip, clipping the outer ear creates a seamless look on your horse.
Clipping the inner ear is also an option. Many show horses have their ears clipped, inside and out. Horses with sores or skin problems in the ears may benefit, as medications are more comfortable to apply without hair.
You will need to make adjustments to your horse's management if you clip the inside and outside of the ear! At all times, horses should wear fly masks with ears to replace any clipped hair. When being ridden, use fly bonnets to cover the ears.
Is clipping your horse's whiskers best for your horse?
Whiskers are another part of the horse that's traditionally clipped for many show horses.
But here's the thing about whiskers on a horse - they help him navigate his world! Whiskers are sensory hairs called vibrissae. Your horse's eyes can't see what's under his chin, so his whiskers tell him. Removing those whiskers takes away part of his ability to feel around for food and water.
Horses have adapted to having their whiskers clipped. Horses have also been injured when they have bonked themselves.
Whisker trimming options
If you decide to trim your horse's whiskers, chat with your vet first to determine if this is right for your horse. If you show, check your show organization's rules and regulations about this.
The skin around the muzzle is tough, wavy, and sensitive. If you decide to clip the whiskers, use a pair of trimmers. The handheld blade options leave too much room for error around the muzzle's skin.
What about the longer hairs around your horse's eyes?
These horse eyebrows, if you will, are above the eye. They are not as thick or numerous as human eyebrows. Some horses might have a single hair!
These eyebrows, like the whiskers, are vibrissae. This hair provides feedback about your horse's location in his environment. Only this time - it's his eye!
The consensus among professionals and veterinarians is to let this hair do its job. However, some eyebrow hairs can grow so long that they curl down and interfere directly with the eyeball. In this case, careful shortening of the hair is in order.
Whisker and ear hair clipping in the news - the controversy.
It's been in the news that the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) has recently banned whisker and ear trimming for horses competing in FEI horse shows and events.
The FEI governs several equestrian disciplines at the international level and joined Germany and Switzerland in banning whisker clipping. The FEI has also banned clipping the outer ear hair and eye hairs.
The ban has brought up some questions about long hairs interfering with blinders and bits, and can this hair be trimmed, or does it only apply to hair clipped to the skin?
The FEI ban is slated to begin in the summer of 2021 and applies only to competition horses competing in FEI events. Perhaps one day, this will apply to other show horse organizations, as well.
If you have any questions about this topic related to your horse, talk to your vet. For show horses, read your horse show organization's rules about clipping, and do what's best for your horse.
For more great tips and tutorials from Liv, check out her website Pro Equine Grooms.