Feeding copper to stop/discourage bleaching

MuffettMischief

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As above!

How do I find out what is safe to feed and how much? Our black horse has some real red/bleached patches this year that he didnt get last year. I have heard that it can be dangerous to feed too much so could anyone give me some advice?
 

HufflyPuffly

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I used the 'Horse First' copper supplement, so the amounts were already worked out, last summer though sadly it didn't make any difference :(.
 

HufflyPuffly

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I keep telling my mum it's because she's secretly bay :lol:, but really she only bleaches where she sweats and it's only coat colour, just looks pants :(.
 

MuffettMischief

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haha, yes it seems to be where he sweats is worse. Its such a shame as its not the nicest colour in the world when bleached and I show him so it would be nice if he stayed black!
 

HufflyPuffly

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I did see a product for a semi-permanent horse hair dye on facebook the other day, so maybe another option if the copper doesn't work ;). Luckily I only do dressage with her so it's not so important, but for showing it must be a nightmare!
 

kathantoinette

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Get a UV fly rug - made a huge difference with mine.

August 2012

37287489_10156671756873103_6931439421690478592_n.jpg


August 2014

37357270_10156671773498103_815097196922798080_n.jpg
 

Doublethyme

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Wash the sweat off with water containing cider vinegar.....works really well! My mare's coat is so much better this year, no major bleaching at all. I add a little bit of lavender oil or one of the washes you can get that don't need rinsing so that you don't get quite such a 'fish and chips' vinegar smell.
 

Surbie

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I started to feed forageplus balancer to mine 2 weeks ago and he now goes out at night (rugged for sweetitch) and comes in by 8. I don't know whether it's just being out of the sun or having the balancer, which has copper and says on the pack will reduce bleaching but he is already a bit darker now. The bridle bleaching is going too.

This was April:

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This was him 3 or so weeks ago:

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And this was him on Sunday:

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ameeyal

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I fed a copper supplement just for horses, { carnt remember the name} you didn't need to feed much, I found it really helped with my black horses, but they hated it, it took them ages to eat their feed, so I stopped it, { they are not fussy eaters}
 
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