It's that time of year again! Spring is in the air, and the ponies are balls of fluff with hair shedding everywhere.
After using more traditional shedding blades in the past I was excited to give the StripHair a try this year. For those who haven't seen one the StripHair is basically a rubber block with an "edge" for removing hair and pebbly "cleaning diamonds" on the rest of the surface (larger ones on one side, and smaller/finer ones on the other). It's made from a blend of ingredients including natural tree rubber, orange and olive oils, and is non-porous and anti-microbial. The StripHair is a multi-use tool that in addition to shedding can be used for removing mud and sweat, bathing and lathering shampoo, distributing the skins natural oils to improve the coat, and as a massage tool to increase circulation. The StripHair retails for about $39 (USD).
Biggest Pro: Gentle and safe for use everywhere on your horse's body
Unlike a traditional shedding blade, the StripHair can be used anywhere, which is amazing for someone like me who has an unclipped horse with a very fluffy winter coat. I love that I can use it to get the hair off his legs and face which I couldn't do with my SleekEZ. It's gentle and flexible enough to get those weird nooks and crannies too, like the contours of the flank and hip, and around the elbow. Being able to use one tool to shed the hair from everywhere on my horse's body has been awesome!
Biggest Con: Static cling
While sometimes the loose hair collected into a nice pile that could be swept right off my horse to the ground, other times I found the hair clinging to the StripHair and becoming very difficult to get off. Sometimes it would stick to the block and kind of slide around the edge so that I felt like I was just spreading the hair around on my horse instead of removing it which was annoying. I do live in a very, very dry climate so maybe that contributed to this problem. One thing I found that helped was to apply a light misting of (non-slippery!) conditioning spray onto my horse's coat before using the StripHair to help reduce the static (my favorite is Purvida Healthy Horse).
More Details
As a shedding tool, I would say the StripHair is as effective as more traditional blades. It doesn't seem to be better at just removing hair, though it can be used in many more places on the body than a blade can.
In addition to removing the loose hair, the StripHair also collects dirt and dander that is hiding deeper in the coat. I love seeing all the gross stuff it brings to the surface, and after using it I feel like my horse's coat is so much cleaner. Unlike after using a shedding blade, I don't necessarily need to grab a bunch of brushes to do more grooming. It definitely feels like a multi-purpose grooming tool, as opposed to a shedding blade which really only removes hair.
My horse's coat looks and feels very soft and smooth after using the StripHair, and over time I think I will see it help to bring out the shine from helping to distribute the natural oils.
I haven't specifically tried using the StripHair as a massage tool yet, but when I'm going over certain areas (like the booty) I have noticed my horse lean into the pressure. So, to a certain extent it does seem to be feeling good for him!
The StripHair can also be used to remove hair from saddle pads and blankets which is an added bonus.
So, is the StripHair worth it?
Yes if...
-you want something that can be used all over your horse's body for hair removal
-you think you'll get use out of the multiple functions it provides
-you like having one tool for shedding and grooming to help shorten your routine
Maybe Not if...
-you will only use it for shedding and already have an lineup of other tools that you love and will continue using
The StripHair is bit expensive for a single grooming tool, so I can understand not wanting to splurge on it for just the hair removal function. To me, it's value is in the fact that it can be safely used everywhere, and that it provides more of a "deep clean" that a shedding blade doesn't. I've used it every day this week and don't regret the purchase. I can see myself continuing to use it even after shedding season to remove dander, help promote a healthy coat, and for bath time.
If you want one of your own here are some links to help you find the best price: