Pink spots on dark skin...any ideas?

[Inchy]

I have noticed over the winter my pony has started to develop small pink spots on his skin. The rest of his skin is very dark and when i have clipped in the past they were not there..yet this year they have appeared only a few at first but quite alot now - all over him!

They are about 5mm in diameter, not itchy, not raised...look like perfectly normal skin just pink! The hair over the top is still dark - no white patches...

Does anyone know what this is? or what might be causing it?

 

[hellybelly6]

It could be a condition called vitiligo where previously dark skin turns pink.

If you are concerned, have your vet take a look. It is mostly greys who are prone to this.

 

[Abandluc]

We have a horse on our yard with this - we only noticed them when he was clipped.
The owner hasn't got them looked at as they are not causing any problems just like yours - I'll be watching this thread with interest!

 

[Inchy]

Is Vitiligo what Toytown has? i thought that turned the hair white too.

He is a dark bay! I am not particularly concerned as they don't bother him in the slightest and arn't that noticable...just curious!!!

 

[EQUISCENE]

I have also seen this condition on a horse that had a copper deficiency, he was blood tested and then given a copper supplement and after a few weeks the skin returned to normal.

 

[Lucy_Nottingham]

sounds to me like vitiligo..... (just had a lecture on it today!!!)
It doesn't have to turn the hair white as it is a melanin issue, hwich will directly effect the skin, whereas the hair (being already formed) will not change colour!

Not sure baout copper deficiency, sorry!
get vet to come check!!! can;t hurt can only help!

 

[brighteyes]

My liver chestnut has gone spotty - but the spots seem to come and go on his skin - here are some pics