Coat fading - is this normal??

[bex1984]

Murph's coat has strated going brown, which I know is fairly normal sun bleaching. But it is fading LOADS where his saddle and particularly his girth go, is that normal? Could it just be a reaction from sweat or something?!

It looks like this (excuse rubbish quality, I was using my phone camera...)

 

[Shilasdair]

It will fade more under your saddle because either sweat is having a mild bleaching effect, or the friction of your tack is wearing the outer, darker surface off the hair.
S

 

[merlinsquest]

Merlin always has a tell tale girth fade.......

 

[Shilasdair]

Actually I've just realised this is FFS - Fatal Fading Syndrome, and you need to send them to me for the cure...
I'll send them back.
Honest.
S

 

[merlinsquest]

But do you want the WSS that goes with owning a Merlin???

 

[Shilasdair]

[ QUOTE ]
But do you want the WSS that goes with owning a Merlin???

[/ QUOTE ]

The WSS?
S

 

[merlinsquest]

Wallet Shrinking Syndrome!!!!

His joint supps a month cost a fortune..... not to mention his vet bills

 

[bex1984]

Merlin is a handsome boy - and am reassured to see a pic of another horsey with a fadey girth patch

I suspect all horses come with WSS to some degree?!

 

[Shilasdair]

All horses are sort of like financial tapeworms in your income.
S

 

[merlinsquest]

Thanks.... your boy is lovely too...... that pic is the first week I got merlin 4 years ago on the 19th June

He has since looked like this... When on a yard with crap grazing and little turnout

He looked nice but wasnt happy..

And now he looks like this..... fat but extremely happy

Looking longingly at the 9.5 acres that he isnt allowed on at the moment

 

[bex1984]

wow, that looks like a different horse! His coat is so shiny now!

 

[bex1984]

[ QUOTE ]
All horses are sort of like financial tapeworms in your income.
S

[/ QUOTE ]

or leeches...sucking every last penny out of you...

 

[merlinsquest]

I feed him a Linseed oily thing...... Think it helps

Just goes to show what good grazing can do...... shiney but fat

but happy

 

[Boysy]

To minimise the fading, just rinse off his girth and saddle area every time you ride with a non foaming wash like Barrier Lavender or Revitalising spearmint shampoo. You don't have to rinse these out completely and they do neutralise the sweat on the coat and therefore reduce the fading to some extent.

 

[bex1984]

Thanks Boysy