Can Pigmentation return???? *Pics*

[nic85]

My share horse has gradually turned pink around his eyes and muzzle, but recently his black seems to be coming back

Anyone have any ideas??

here he is with his gradual changes......over about a year....

From the beginning........

The starting of the pinkness....

And now its coming back!!

So, any ideas?? Or will he just change colour every so often??

** NOTHING IN HIS DIET OR SURROUNDINGS ETC HAS CHANGED**

Thanks

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

Nic85, I can only judge by the pix but if it was me I'd have the vet out fairly pronto to check for a) eye problems and b) liver function. To me, it looks like your ponio's eyes are uncomfortable and whatever is causing the changing colour of the skin may also be going INSIDE the eye as well. In most of the pix, ponio is holding his eyes half shut and if he is doing that a lot now, maybe also liking to be out of bright light, it could mean something's going on that needs to be investigated. Re the blood test for liver function, grey skin should'nt burn but pink skin does. And burnt pink skin can be an indication that the horse or pony has eaten ragwort. Just grasping at straws to rule everything out. How old is the ponio hun? I've never heard of an adult horse/pony changing skin colour unless it was associated with some underlying problem.

 

[macnachtan]

Loss of pigmentation (called "vitiligo" or "leukoderma") can occur in horses especially around hairless or thinly haired areas. In most of these conditions, the skin is normal other than the loss of pigmentation. Check with your veterinarian about any possible new treatments for this condition. Some horses have improvement copper supplementation in the diet, and your veterinarian should be able to test the horse's blood copper levels to see if they are within a normal range. If the horse is deficient in copper there are many commercial supplements available that contain copper that you can feed to your horse.

Depigmentation is more common in some breeds of horses, suggesting there may be a genetic basis to the condition. Arabians, in particular, have a juvenile form of depigmentation. The good news is if the condition is simply depigmentation, it is harmless to the horse.

 

[nic85]

[ QUOTE ]
Nic85, I can only judge by the pix but if it was me I'd have the vet out fairly pronto to check for a) eye problems and b) liver function. To me, it looks like your ponio's eyes are uncomfortable and whatever is causing the changing colour of the skin may also be going INSIDE the eye as well. In most of the pix, ponio is holding his eyes half shut and if he is doing that a lot now, maybe also liking to be out of bright light, it could mean something's going on that needs to be investigated. Re the blood test for liver function, grey skin should'nt burn but pink skin does. And burnt pink skin can be an indication that the horse or pony has eaten ragwort. Just grasping at straws to rule everything out. How old is the ponio hun? I've never heard of an adult horse/pony changing skin colour unless it was associated with some underlying problem.

[/ QUOTE ]

Umm...he had the vet out for his Jabs on Monday and had a check over then...was told he was, for 24 years old, in very good health. his eyes maybe half closed but thats probably due to coming in from light to dark so will take a little time to adjust. he lives out 24/7 through summer and the land he grazes has NO ragwort oh and hes been owned by thr same people and been on this land for approx 10 years so nothing has changed in his diet surroundings......im not sure if the fact he used to be coloured has anything to do with it???
Thanks for your concern though

Also we have been told that its not vitiligo by a vet friend of the horses owner

ETA...have just spoken to owner and she said he had Liver tests a few years ago and was fine and had never grazed on fields with ragwort....his only problem was depigmentation and then the return of pigment??!! However, we will try a copper supplemt to see if this helps...anyone reccommend one??

 

[StinkiPinki]

My horse has exactly the same problem. Hes had it for many years and like yours it comes and goes. Its more common in greys and liver chestnuts (which mine is) It can be linked r=to mineral deficiency, which is why it comes and goes.
It has caused mine absolutley no harm at all. He is 12 now and is an advance dressage horse. I just make sure he has a good vit min sup

 

[nic85]

[ QUOTE ]
My horse has exactly the same problem. Hes had it for many years and like yours it comes and goes. Its more common in greys and liver chestnuts (which mine is) It can be linked r=to mineral deficiency, which is why it comes and goes.
It has caused mine absolutley no harm at all. He is 12 now and is an advance dressage horse. I just make sure he has a good vit min sup

[/ QUOTE ]

oo thats interesting!! what supp do you use?? PM if you prefer

 

[amandap]

[ QUOTE ]
Some horses have improvement copper supplementation in the diet, and your veterinarian should be able to test the horse's blood copper levels to see if they are within a normal range. If the horse is deficient in copper there are many commercial supplements available that contain copper that you can feed to your horse.


[/ QUOTE ]
Copper deficiency was what first sprang into my mind. If it is copper d. use a chelated copper preparation, the vet would advise here. I'd definitely get a vet check anyway to rule out treatable causes especially infection.

Eta... copper deficiency often leads to anaemia I believe.

 

[macnachtan]

[ QUOTE ]



Eta... copper deficiency often leads to anaemia I believe.

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh yes. Very much so. Most people think its only lack of iron that produces anemia. But there are other minerals that do as well. And that may very well be the reason for the look in his eyes. He's tired. Which anemia will produce a tired feeling.

 

[amandap]

http://www.forans.com/nutrition.asp?Action=Detail&ArticleID=12
There's loads of info out there but here's an overview of copper in horses.

 

[silverbullet]

He's definately not tired! lol!

He still behaves like a 2 year old to ride, i've never known him as lively as he has been recently.

I honestly can't see what people mean by his eyes - he has always looked like that so it is maybe just his usual expression.

This is a picture from a few years ago to show the expression...

And this is what he looked like when I first got him 15 years ago!!

Will try him on a general supplement to see if it makes any difference.