Can good grazing change a horses colour?

[joeley]

OK, my TB mare is 15 rising 16. I have had her for 3 years. For the past 2 years she has been a bright chestnut, almost orange but this year she is a dark, also most liver chestnut. The only thing I can put this down to is that I changed years in February and we have really good grazing, something that I didn't have in the previous yard. I know she is definately healthier 'from the inside out' as this year she also has dapples. I know they say that it can take 1-2 years to get a horse in tip top condition from a poor state, and boy was she poor when I rescued her! Will she go darker? Anyone else had this experience?

 

[skippy1994]

hi. A similar thing has happenend to my horse, but i put it down to his age. untill he was 12 he was also orange but since then (now 16) he has turned a liver chestnut colour which also make his mane look blonde. not sure why but it suits him.

 

[Old Bat]

This time last year I bought a Welsh part bred for my daughter, advertised as palomino...she was quite a dark one but definitely that sort of colour...wishy,washy pale chestnut and cream mane and tail. She is 16. Now she is rich red with a flaxen mane and tail...definitely chestnut and much more striking! She was well looked after in her previous home as well so the only think I can think is different grazing

 

[only_me]

Dapples on a dark coat are the sign that the horse is in very good health and thriving

Unless they have them all year round - my bay horse had dapples all year round