[hil529]

How do you do it?

My guy is out 24/7. There is no other option; he has shelter but rarely goes in it unless hes being fed. I have had a fly sheet on him since it began to get warmer, but he is still bleaching out It is not that bad, but I want to do all I can to keep him black this summer so he doesnt look awkwardly bleached. The sheet I had was the UV protect kind .. or so I was told. and its not working.

I also have pretty much invested in the quick black company in hopes that will help darken him back up but idk how well that will work.

so for all my fellow black-horse-owners out there ... how do you do it? what are your secrets of keeping your black horse just that .. BLACK?!!??!?!?

[highlandstep]

try a kensington fly sheet they are amazing! they a tighter mesh so it is more sun proof. Tight mesh fly stuff blocks more sun rays. my geldings mane likes to go all bleachy colored but i have this kensinton fly neck on and his mane is nice and brown right now

[iluvmywarmblood]

Keeping your horse blanketed is the answer. Not just during summer months but all year round. And look for blankets that have uv prtection.

[AUhunterjumper]

fly sheet!!!!

[everhopeful]

I've read that horses will fade more if their diet is deficient in copper and zinc. I've also found that an oil-rich diet seems to help keep a horse from fading. My friend and I shared a pasture. My horse, fed flax seed and rice bran, kept a shiny, full-bodied coat all summer, while hers was faded out and very dry. The only difference was in their diets.

[ArtisticCowgirl]

i would try bathing him with a color enhancing shampoo it helps my dapple keep his color and they have a supplement i cant remember the brand but its called black as night its supposed to keep your horse black

[Last Knight]

I started feeding Glanzen to my black gelding last year, and the difference in his color is amazing- so I think it helps to have a good coat to begin with.

I've fought with sunscreens, fly sheets, everything I can think of, and I still end up with a dark bay in the summer.

[sweet mustanq]

Originally Posted by Last Knight

I started feeding Glanzen to my black gelding last year, and the difference in his color is amazing- so I think it helps to have a good coat to begin with.

I've fought with sunscreens, fly sheets, everything I can think of, and I still end up with a dark bay in the summer.

what is Glanzen? And where can i find it?

[superhorse]

I got a "black" horse a while back. People often say things like "I love black horses I wish I had one" They never stay black.

The only really way is to keep them covered all the time. I gave up after my horse distroyed $200 worth of summer rugs in a week.

You can dye them black for shows, thats probly the easiest way.

I've just resigned myself to having a sun bleached horse.

Sorry to be so pesamistic.

[2manypetz]

We have 2 black horses. I put up the same post as you and got the same answers UV sheets or stall them. Mine are out 24/7 and we are here and there and i do not have time to mess and worry about sheets. We supplement ours with BOSS, ground flax, beet pulp, bean meal, mineral salts. We keep a mineral lick out at all times, and we will see how their coats look at the end of summer. They shed out the best they ever have, and looks amazing and shiny, and have not faded YET. Yet being the key word LOL. Last year they were faded some by now. We tried paprika in their food, becasue that was supposed to be the main ingrediant in Black as Knight, but could only get little jars of it, I am looking to get a big one and put them back on that to see if it will help. We have tried UV sprays, one we nice becasue it was a UV/fly spray in one, but cripes it was so expensive. I have dyed their manes, to get the red tips off, and put in this color rinse Minx stuff it works pretty well. We also use the black color coat shampoos. Let me know if you find what works, I am allwasy looking and trying new stuff for mine. I made a rule that I was never going to own a hrose with white on it becasue i hated fussing over making it white, not i am fussing over keeping my black horses black. AAGGHH!!