White mottled hair discolouration around eyes?

[Achinghips]

Viewed a horse recently with this. Have seen this in some horses before. Is it impetigo? Is it marked down in showing? What caused it and will it get worse? In a dilemma about purchasing. Thanks everyone

 

[CinnamonChristmasCookie]

Can't remember if it's inside or outside around the eyes that the white indicates copper deficiency? I'd love to do a grass sample at my place!

 

[lhotse]

I think you mean vitiligo as impetigo is a bacterial infection of the skin. My mare has it around her eyes, she's arabian and it's know as arabian fading syndrome. Doesn't bother me in the least, infact, I think it adds to her character. However, some judges might dislike it, same as some dislike wall eyes.

 

[BlackRider]

My arab had this, and it went away when I gave him an all round supplement with correct levels of copper.

 

[Louby]

A pony on 'our' yard has this too, its slowly got worse. Owner rang a feed help line and they said copper deficiancy too. Its odd as hes the only one with it and some of the horses have been on the yard for years, yet are unaffected.

 

[Achinghips]

Vitiligo, yes thats it ! ...... Would it be marked down for in-hand showing in pure bred classes?

 

[Spring Feather]

A friend of mine has a horse with vitiligo. He's a jumper so it's no big deal that he has some depigmentation. I don't know about in hand showing though. It shouldn't matter as it's purely cosmetic and there's nothing you can do about it, but who knows, showing judges are individuals and mark up or mark down as they see fit.