Murphy's white patches - update - they're weird!

[bex1984]

Some of you may remember that when i clipped Murphy I was shocked to find 2 big white patches on one side of his back.

I've called the saddle fitter, who is booked in but can't come out for a few weeks. She told me to carry on riding him as normal as long as he wasn't showing any discomfort, putting his ears back when tacking up, dipping his back away from the saddle...etc etc...he's not doing any of these things so am carrying on as normal.

Anyway, his coat has grown quite a bit and I was poking around with the white patches today...and most of the hair is now going through black again at the roots

It's about a cm long, and about half is black, half is white. It really is very strange

 

[milliepops]

Hmm, the same thing happened to a horse on the yard that I clip. The hair grew back in the original colour in the spring... but by the next year it came back white, permanently.

I'm no expert but with the one I knew, I think her saddle didn't fit as her shape fluctuated during the year - maybe the owner got away with it for a while but eventually the damage was permanent.

I would still want to have the saddle checked and would keep a close eye. Fingers crossed you'll be OK, perhaps you got a lucky early warning

 

[bex1984]

that's what I'm hoping - he keeps changing shape so maybe it did fit, then didn't, then did...then maybe didn't...then did...who knows

Defo getting it checked anyway and hopefully if I can get it sorted now the damage won't be permenant.

 

[AngieandBen]

Same as Ben. I was shocked when I saw his winter coat was growing white near his withers. I have had his back and saddle checked and they are fine.

The only thing I can think of as he's 18 years old, is that at some time he has had a badly fitted saddle. ( I've only had him 9 months ) His hair is growing darker now, but still a worry.

He's going better than ever as well, so I don't think he's uncomfortable.