The Horse Forum banner
Status
Not open for further replies.

Sun Bleached Black Horses

4K views 5 replies 5 participants last post by  Saddlebag 
#1 ·
I've accommodated two black horses this winter and before they start getting sun bleached this summer I'd like some advice on preventing it. :D

I've heard stable sheets but sometimes it gets upwards of 100 degrees, so I'd feel like a big meanie making them where a sheet in that weather.

Also, one of the rules at my barn is that horse's must come in at night.

Thanks in advance. :)
 
#2 ·
Try a lightweight fly sheet, or, I used a supplement called Black as Night via SmartPak. Due to my paranoia about heat I didn't want to use even a fly or scrim sheet and my dark bay horse would always turn this orangey chestnut color in the summer until I started him on the supplement. He maintained his shiny dark bay color all summer. Even his mane and tail stayed dark.
 
#3 ·
Reflective fly sheets help but sometimes you get "fade lines" (opposite tan lines LOL). There are some feed supplements that help. I gave Cinny "Black as Knight" last year and he didn't fade nearly as bad. The main ingredient that prevents fading is Paprika. If you show you have to stop feeding it as it can give you a false positive on some drug tests. This year I'm just going to try addling a teaspoon of paprika to his daily grain to see if it works just as well.

My BO swears by only turning out when it's dark and keeping in a barn during the day but I have never really liked that idea. I think Horses need to see the sun in my opinion.
 
#4 ·
Most barns here on the east coast-at least in my experience-switch to night turn out for summer anyway. That really helped the bleaching with my guy.....they go out around 4 every day, and come in in the am.....they are cooler and happier in the wide open shaded breezy barn!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Top