I think my horse has vitiligo...any advice/experience?

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Natassia

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I have just had my horse (8 y/o chestnut gelding) clipped for the second time this year and have noticed some small white circles on his neck where it looks like the pigment has gone. There is no change to the skin's texture and they don't look sore, I've only noticed since he's been clipped so I don't think they've been there long otherwise I would have seen them in his coat before. I read something about vitiligo in horses recently and it said that chestnuts are more likely to suffer from it, does what I've seen sound like it? Should I get the vet out or just keep an eye on it myself? Is there anything I can do for him?
Thanks for reading Nx
 
I had a bay/brown gelding with it, was under his tail, and changed shape often. Left it alone on advice of the vet I had at the time (was years ago so not sure if there is a different set of advice now)
 
My chestnut gets it on his neck...they change all year round!! I have been told that copper can help, but ive left it alone as it does not affect him at all!!!!
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Thats interesting that they change during the year, I assumed it affected horses like it affects humans and it would just get worse. For now I think I'll leave it and just keep an eye on it, I'll check to see if his usual vitamin supplement contains copper as well. Thanks for the replies Nx
 
Manneken (little chestnut below) has had vitiligo for 5 years,he goes from having 10-20 small white spots to having around 200 large white splodges,depending on the time of the year!!! He's very healthy and only problem we have had is at the vet control at international shows!!!!
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