Color guru's.....turning liver chestnut at age 7

[Color_of_Light]

Other livers I’ve had were all born that strange light chestnut color and turned liver close to 3 months. They have remained liver.

This one was born bright chestnut, and has remained the same color until the 7th year. The year started out with a normal chestnut winter coat, but for the first time is shedding out to be some version of liver or almost a black/red. Parents are black and bay. Grandfathers are black and bay…the grandmothers are bright chestnut and liver…and maternal grandfathers are bright chestnut and liver. Why the sudden liver color and I’m hoping it will be permanent?

[JB]

Chestnuts are one color that can take several years to settle into the final shade for some reason. I’ve not heard one taking 7 years, but since they are a bit of an exception anyway, it wouldn’t surprise me.

Any change in nutrition in the last 4-5 months? Location?

[Daventry]

We did! Purchased a pony as a five year old. Bright chestnut with flaxen mane and tail. When he turned 8, he started changing to a liver chestnut and is now quite dark at age 12.