maintaining coat colour

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jj4y

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Sorry, i'd posted this in stable yard last night, but thought i'd put it in here because its busier!
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I was just wondering if anyone had tried, or has knowledge on using any of the following for helping to maintain a deep black coat colour over summer rather than it bleaching quite so much:

Black as Knight (cheval international)
Paprika
Black oil sunflower seeds

I've read that they can be used to help prevent the bleaching, but ideally wanted people's views on them before i decided whether or not to go ahead.

Thanks
 
I am having the same trouble.

A friend of mine uses black sunflower seeds, but I have heard that they increase energy as well, so if he's a bit of a handful, possibly avoid it.

I am about to use paprika in my black pony's feed, someone on the yard recommended it as she has found that it stops her liver chestnut going orange!

I think at the end of the day is personal preference, not much help I know, sorry!
 
[ QUOTE ]
Put a rug on it.

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He is rugged with a fly rug with UV protection, as I'm well aware of the effects of sun bleaching (not that we've actually had much sun yet this year). I was asking if anybody had experience of the above supplements.

Thankyou to the one reply to my question. What quantity of paprika have you been advised to use?
 
Ok, sorry.

To expand. I have no experience of the above suppliments. But would suggest that as coats are affected by elemental factors, suppliments will do little (if anything) to prevent a coat from bleaching.

To keep a coat in tip top condition, as well as ensuring that your horse has the right nutrition, try keeping it in a rug. This will need to be either a LW turnout rug or a summer sheet when dry (and providing your horse will not tear it). Whilst some fly sheets have a UVA protective quality about them - they will not prevent all of the coat from bleaching - and in many cases can enhance the look of a sun damaged coat, where the ends of the coat stick through the mesh.

Putting a rug on your horse will also help the coat looking good by laying the coat and keeping the horse clean.

Rugging is not for everyone obviously, and speak only from personal experience.
 
I have a friend how does a lot of high level showing with quarter horses and they swear by black as knight.

I also know that BSS and paprika are said to help with skin colour.

I do feed BSS and have noticed that Chancer's bay is darker and richer since having it, but this may also be where he is growing up.

Haven't had a problem with BSS and energy levels but mine are laid back types.
 
Thanks for the replies. I don't think I'd have a problem with the energy levels with mine either, he's pretty laid back the majority of the time
 
Does it matter that he lightens - personally feel a bit cruel if I was to rug a horse in summer just to keep his coat how I like it

xx
 
Can I ask - Why do you care?
I have a black horse who gets orange tinges in summer! It's never affected him for showing and coat colour doesn't affect his showjumping!
 
I don't class putting a fly rug on him as cruel! I don't put any other rugs on him during summer for that reason, as I wouldn't want him to be uncomfortable.

Surely it doesn't really matter if I care about his colour or not? My horse has a permanent home with me, irrespective of his colour. I'm only making enquiries as to whether there is something more I can do to help maintain his deep black colour in summer...what's so wrong about that? I like to find out as much info about things as possible before choosing whether to go ahead and try something or not. If supplementing his feed with something like black sunflower seeds will help, then why not?
 
I tried Black-as-Knight and have to say it was extremely good, but also extremely pricey. I then used a Product called Colour Glow which is made in Glos and is much cheaper.(The lady had BaK analysed!!!)
Now though, I prefer to keep a fly sheet on.(and what is cruel about that, keeps the flies off too, and it also helps keep dark horses cooler)
I can give contact details for the Colour Glow to anyone who is interested though. It's a great general supplement too, and horses love it, smells great
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