Question about Greys

[Flame_]

OK. I've viewed a nice four year old grey mare. One thing I'm wondering about is, she's a very light dapple grey for a four year old. She's so fair she looks almost white already. I know that as grey horses get older they often start to develop melanomas and sometimes growths which wouldn't normally put me off. I'm also aware (thanks to you lot!) that these tumours are linked to the changing pigmentation of the coat colour. My question is, as this grey seems whiter sooner than most, is it more likely to develop these problems sooner as well?

 

[hellybelly6]

Melanomas are also triggered by strong sunlight. The light can encourage the black colour making cells to get 'over excited' and make to much melanin, causing the lumps.

Its not the colour of the coat, but the colour of the skin underneath, black skinned horses are more prone to melanomas be they grey or black coated.

I have a grey.

 

[scotsmare]

I had a grey mare who had a melanoma, she developed it when she was 5 - she's now 8 and hasn't developed anymore. I think in a lot of cases it's pot luck - she may well fall into the 'prone' range but never get them.

 

[Kenzo]

Agree with Hb6, not all greys get them, the dark skins have there pro's and cons and so do the pink ones, we had a mare that had them, she was very old though, huge clusters of them on her bottom an in her dock, she was dark skinned.

 

[Lou23]

We have a chestnut mare on our yard who has bad melanomas.
My freind has an almost white grey and has no problems.

I think its a bit pot luck

 

[MACCIMOO]

I have a 13 year old grey,i have got pics of him when he was younger he was quite dappled grey and darker,as he has got older he is now nearly white all over and a few fleabitten bits,when i got him about 3 years ago he had melanomas in his mouth and under his tail,he is ridden in a hackamore and so far touch wood they havnt got any bigger,my vet said he could live to a ripe old age and not to worry unless he stops eating or poohing and i love him to bits

 

[Flame_]

This is all sounding quite positive. Going back for another ride on her today but the dealer's got a chestnut I really enjoyed riding as well. I can't make my mind up but at the moment the grey's in the lead as she's a four year old and the chestnut's six. Trying to pick faults as they are both too good to be true. Apparently horses are like buses.....

 

[Hippona]

I have a 20 year old grey -black skinned- he's got none at all- I think its luck of the draw really.

 

[bexsodb]

i agree

got a 27yr old arab she has none