We’re deep into shedding season, and if your barn looks anything like mine, there’s hair on everything. Your clothes. Your truck. Your coffee cup, somehow.
The SleekEZ has been a barn staple for years now, and most people know it’s great for getting that winter coat off your horse. But here’s the thing — I use mine for way more than just shedding horses.
Here are five ways this one tool earns its keep in my tack room.
1. Shedding Out Horses (Obviously)
Let’s get the obvious one out of the way first.
The SleekEZ 10-inch is hands-down the fastest way to strip a winter coat. The blade design pulls out loose hair without irritating the skin, and it works on everything from fine Thoroughbred coats to fuzzy draft crosses.
I run it over the whole body before clipping season, and the difference is night and day. You’re not fighting through dead coat with your blades — they glide right through.
Pro tip: Use short, flicking strokes in the direction of hair growth. You’ll get more hair per stroke and it’s gentler on their skin.
2. Cleaning Saddle Pads
This is where the SleekEZ really starts to pay for itself.
You know how saddle pads basically become hair magnets? Especially fleece-lined ones? Running them through the wash doesn’t get all that embedded hair out — it just redistributes it.
Before washing, I hit my saddle pads with the SleekEZ. Five minutes per pad and you’ve got a pile of hair that would’ve otherwise clogged your washing machine.
It works on all materials — fleece, cotton, synthetic. The blade is gentle enough that it won’t damage the fabric but aggressive enough to actually pull the hair out.
3. Back on Track Mesh Sheets
Here’s where it gets specific.
I use Back on Track mesh sheets on several horses, and if you’ve ever tried to clean one of these, you know hair gets trapped in that mesh weave and does NOT want to come out.
The SleekEZ is the only thing I’ve found that actually removes it. The blade gets into those little mesh holes and pulls the hair through. It’s weirdly satisfying.
Same goes for any therapeutic mesh sheet — Benefab, whatever you’re using. The mesh traps hair, the SleekEZ removes it.
4. Benefab Sheets (And Other Therapeutic Gear)
Speaking of Benefab — their ceramic-infused fabric is amazing for recovery, but it’s also a hair magnet.
I treat my Benefab sheets the same way as my Back on Track stuff. Quick pass with the SleekEZ before washing, and you’re not destroying your washing machine with a pound of horse hair every load.
This extends the life of your therapeutic gear, too. Less hair buildup means the fabric breathes better and the ceramic technology works more effectively.
5. Truck Seats After Hauling
This one might be my favorite hack.
After a day of hauling to a show or clinic, my truck looks like a horse exploded in it. Hair on the seats, hair in the carpet, hair in places hair shouldn’t be.
The SleekEZ works on upholstery just as well as it works on horses. I keep one in my truck specifically for this. Quick pass over the seats and floor mats, and I’m not embarrassed to give someone a ride home.
Works on cloth seats, works on the carpet, works on floor mats. Won’t scratch leather if you’re gentle, but test a hidden spot first if you’re nervous.
Bottom Line
The SleekEZ is one of those tools that seems like a one-trick pony until you realize it solves about five different problems in your barn.
At around $25 for the 10-inch size, it’s paid for itself many times over in saddle pad longevity alone. Plus, shedding season actually becomes manageable instead of a month-long battle.
If you’re still fighting winter coats with a curry comb, do yourself a favor.
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