I have a question horsey people :)) when do horses grow a winter coat in the south hemisphere?

Question

I know that winter whether comes at the opposite times of the year from the North hemisphere.  But... horse hair and dog and cat hair as well is triggered by the number of daylight hours and that the dates of the changes co-inside with the solstices and equinoxes.  So how does that work in Australia?

Rebecca · Answer

Carl is right, it's all about the dropping temperature. where i live in australia most horses don't get a winter coat as it's still hot year round, except my horse, who ends up looking like a woolly mammoth for about a month and everyone laughs at him. in fact, i didn't know horses grew and shed winter coats like that until this year, which is ridiculous seeing i've been around horses for so long. but that's just what this part of australia's like... hot and humid.

Carl · Answer

No difference. 
As the hours of daylight diminish, the coat thickens.
As the hours of daylight increase, it's shedding time.
Horses don't keep a calendar.

antonius · Answer

Yes, I agree with with Carl and add the fact of temperature and you have your answer.

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I have a question horsey people :)) when do horses grow a winter coat in the south hemisphere?

3 Answers