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Discussion on Just going grey?
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Member:
Louwhite
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Posted on Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 - 11:36 pm:
Hi there,
My 10yo Arab had a few grey/white hairs in his mane when I bought him a year ago, but now he is getting more in his mane and tail. In addition, white hair is growing in various places on his body - back left coronet, along the spine, along the neck etc. Its not very dense, but I'm wondering if he is just going grey or is this something else? My first horse so new to such things. Many thanks Dr. O or anyone who can shed light.
Lou
PS. Its not sore spots.
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Monday, Jun 27, 2005 - 12:12 am:
What color is he? And, do you know what color his parents or grandparents are?
Usually a horse (Arabs at least) will start out getting a dappled look, which will fade more and more into grey if they are turning gray. But, sometimes even a dark chestnut or bay will get some gray flecking or a few grey hairs in it's mane and tail if it has grey in it's pedigree.
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Member:
Louwhite
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Posted on Monday, Jun 27, 2005 - 6:43 pm:
He is dark bay but is actually 3/4 Arab and 1/4 paint horse! So even after 10 years the paint side of him can begin to start showing through?
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Monday, Jun 27, 2005 - 8:47 pm:
I don't know about that; in fact, I doubt it. But, if he has gray on his Arabian side, it can start showing through at his age.
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Member:
Louwhite
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Posted on Monday, Jun 27, 2005 - 9:14 pm:
Ok thanks Sara. So, basically, its nothing to worry about? Meaning he's not going grey because he's stressed out or anything?! Sounds silly I know - comparing it to humans. At least he's not going bald!
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Monday, Jun 27, 2005 - 10:36 pm:
I don't think it's anything to worry about. We have a dark bay gelding (Arab) that at the age of 12 is starting to get a few gray hairs in his mane and a few little gray flecks. From a distance he still looks dark bay. He has a gray sire and a bay dam. Gray is dominant in Arabians, so it's just "coming through" as he gets older. Gives him a certain "look of distinction" I think. He'll never be a gray, but will just have these little gray hairs here and there. I think your guy is the same.
...and thank goodness he's not going bald! Then there'd be something to worry about!
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Member:
Shirl
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Posted on Monday, Jun 27, 2005 - 11:13 pm:
Sarah, same with my half Arab/half Qt, Sierra. When she was about 12 she started little white hairs here and there, when she passed at 23, she had quite a lot around her mussel, eyes, here and there on her body, but was still a beautiful, shiny red bay till the end. She had a white Arab grandfather! It will be okay. Shirl
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Member:
Louwhite
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Posted on Monday, Jun 27, 2005 - 11:39 pm:
Thanks Sara & Shirley - I shall now stop worrying (about that at least!).
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