Feeding copper to stop/discourage bleaching

[MuffettMischief]

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]

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

 

[MuffettMischief]

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

i didnt even think to check Horse First. I really rate their products. what a shame that it didnt work though

 

[HufflyPuffly]

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]

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]

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]

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

August 2012

August 2014

 

[Doublethyme]

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]

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:

This was him 3 or so weeks ago:

And this was him on Sunday:

 

[ameeyal]

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}