Any ideas on how to get and keep a black horse black - Not bleached Brown!

gadabout · 07-04-2006, 01:34 AM

Does anyone know what to feed black horses to keep them black and prevent them from bleaching and going red brown? I was feeding lucerne/oaten chaff working horse mix ( a mix of oats barley sunflower seeds etc in a molasses base).

I am now working him and he is clipped (about mid june) & (Nth Australian winter) and he is now getting the same as above but also some soaked copra and I have just added canola oil, black sunflower seeds, 2 teaspoons of paprika twice daily, a mineral supplement and seaweed meal. I also wash him if he sweats so that doesn't bleach him.

He started winter off with a beautiful black coat and is always rugged. He started fading in about April and went chocolate on his flanks and rump so now he just looks "Blah" and it's the start of our show season now. I have posted some pics of him, so have a look. The ones where he looks black were taken in march April and the chocolate/black pictures of him jumping etc are taken in the last 2 weeks.

I think I'm going to have to wait for his spring coat to come thru and try and keep that from fading. Any ideas on how to have him looking fabulous for a big show in 6 weeks time? (end of August '06) Thanks in advance!

binkygirl · 07-04-2006, 02:31 AM

some people keep summer rugs on them all the time until shows etc to stop sunbleach etc just a light sheet works from horseland not too expensive either

Chester · 07-04-2006, 03:45 AM

First up, welcome fellow Cane Toad.

I am guessing you are in the Townsville/Cairns show area as the nth/western run is finished for the year.

Black horses do have this bad habit of colour changing don't they? I am not sure about any feeds that will actually alter the colour. You said you had him rugged so that obviously isn't fixing the colour change.

Next time try clipping him earlier in the season so he has more time for his coat to come through well. Other than that you could try stabling and putting him under lights which will get him in good coat for the season.

I have known people with a similar problemt o actually dye their horses but it probably isn't a road I would wish to travel. Perhaps the tail to cover the sunbleach but not the whole horse.

Horseland also sell colour enhancing shampoos.

Good luck in the shows and do come and let us know how you go. We love pics as well.

CowGirlUp1833 · 07-04-2006, 04:16 AM

I agree with the suggestion for a summer sheet. This has a double purpose, as it also helps with fly control as well....OH... AND it helps them stay clean. Its a great thing, really!!!

probarrelracer · 07-04-2006, 04:44 AM

Try a UV spray. Black As Knight does work. I've used it myself. Other than these, and a sheet, your only other option is to stall him.

3WishesDun · 07-04-2006, 06:28 AM

Before he starts to bleach from the sun, you can feed 1 tablespoon of Paprika. - or the Black as Knight. Along with the wonderful suggestions given above- your horse should remain darker.

MissBandit · 07-04-2006, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CowGirlUp1833

I agree with the suggestion for a summer sheet. This has a double purpose, as it also helps with fly control as well....OH... AND it helps them stay clean. Its a great thing, really!!!

yep, yep and yep. I personally would never use stalling as an option.

Morganhorse321 · 07-04-2006, 09:24 AM

Umm..I have a black gelding and I give him that black as knight coat enhancer, wash him with quic black, and keep a fly sheet/uv protection sheet on him while he is outside...It seems to work pretty well for him...good luck!

cowgirlntexas · 10-17-2006, 02:41 PM

THE only thing that i have found that does work is to put a sunscreen spray on mine, i use mosquito halt with sunscreen by farnam an it keeps her black all summer.

JBandRio · 10-17-2006, 04:18 PM

Paprika for a black horse?

07-04-2006, 01:34 AM	#1
gadabout Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 2 Images: 11	Any ideas on how to get and keep a black horse black - Not bleached Brown! Does anyone know what to feed black horses to keep them black and prevent them from bleaching and going red brown? I was feeding lucerne/oaten chaff working horse mix ( a mix of oats barley sunflower seeds etc in a molasses base). I am now working him and he is clipped (about mid june) & (Nth Australian winter) and he is now getting the same as above but also some soaked copra and I have just added canola oil, black sunflower seeds, 2 teaspoons of paprika twice daily, a mineral supplement and seaweed meal. I also wash him if he sweats so that doesn't bleach him. He started winter off with a beautiful black coat and is always rugged. He started fading in about April and went chocolate on his flanks and rump so now he just looks "Blah" and it's the start of our show season now. I have posted some pics of him, so have a look. The ones where he looks black were taken in march April and the chocolate/black pictures of him jumping etc are taken in the last 2 weeks. I think I'm going to have to wait for his spring coat to come thru and try and keep that from fading. Any ideas on how to have him looking fabulous for a big show in 6 weeks time? (end of August '06) Thanks in advance!

07-04-2006, 02:31 AM	#2
binkygirl Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: I live in Brisbane qld Posts: 1,001 Images: 25	some people keep summer rugs on them all the time until shows etc to stop sunbleach etc just a light sheet works from horseland not too expensive either __________________ you can ask a stallion, you can tell a gelding, but you must discuss it with a mare!!!!

07-04-2006, 03:45 AM	#3
Chester Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: inland of the coral sea Posts: 9,529 Images: 760	First up, welcome fellow Cane Toad. I am guessing you are in the Townsville/Cairns show area as the nth/western run is finished for the year. Black horses do have this bad habit of colour changing don't they? I am not sure about any feeds that will actually alter the colour. You said you had him rugged so that obviously isn't fixing the colour change. Next time try clipping him earlier in the season so he has more time for his coat to come through well. Other than that you could try stabling and putting him under lights which will get him in good coat for the season. I have known people with a similar problemt o actually dye their horses but it probably isn't a road I would wish to travel. Perhaps the tail to cover the sunbleach but not the whole horse. Horseland also sell colour enhancing shampoos. Good luck in the shows and do come and let us know how you go. We love pics as well. __________________ Aussie Aussie Aussie OI OI OI "We're all members of the outback club, we don't back down and we don't give up" Lee Kernaghan "Good friends are worth more than money any day" Adam Brand Is it full moon time again? Did the cereal truck overturn and fruitloops got spilt?

07-04-2006, 04:16 AM	#4
CowGirlUp1833 Senior Member+ Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Holland Lake Shore, West Michigan Posts: 15,996 Images: 384 Blog Entries: 33	I agree with the suggestion for a summer sheet. This has a double purpose, as it also helps with fly control as well....OH... AND it helps them stay clean. Its a great thing, really!!! __________________ www.Equine-Endeavors.com "Horses are like potato chips - You can't have just one" ~Unknown Yay! I'm down to just 3 right now!! Those meetings must be helping!

07-04-2006, 06:28 AM	#6
3WishesDun Senior Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: At My Wit's End Posts: 16,436 Images: 650 Blog Entries: 27	Before he starts to bleach from the sun, you can feed 1 tablespoon of Paprika. - or the Black as Knight. Along with the wonderful suggestions given above- your horse should remain darker. __________________ Madness takes its toll. Please have exact change. The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep. -Frost SCHWEELS, BABY, SCHWEELS!

07-04-2006, 04:44 AM	#5
probarrelracer Senior Member+ Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Louisiana Posts: 2,267 Images: 603	Try a UV spray. Black As Knight does work. I've used it myself. Other than these, and a sheet, your only other option is to stall him.

07-04-2006, 09:24 AM	#8
Morganhorse321 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 683 Images: 26	Umm..I have a black gelding and I give him that black as knight coat enhancer, wash him with quic black, and keep a fly sheet/uv protection sheet on him while he is outside...It seems to work pretty well for him...good luck!

10-17-2006, 02:41 PM	#9
cowgirlntexas Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: KIRVIN ,TEXAS Posts: 17 Images: 12	THE only thing that i have found that does work is to put a sunscreen spray on mine, i use mosquito halt with sunscreen by farnam an it keeps her black all summer.

10-17-2006, 04:18 PM	#10
JBandRio Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NC Posts: 22,346 Images: 138 Blog Entries: 12	Paprika for a black horse? __________________ - JB Acres, owned and operated by Dynamite animals. - It's a wonder horses as a whole don't just kill us all and be done with their misery. - Keep your voice soothing and low - even when things get western (buck1173) - Rio feels good - he bounced an in-and-out

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