Does anyone know of a darkening supplement that won’t show up on tests? :yes:
Making sure the diet is high enough in copper and zinc 
I followed JB’s advice last year (good advice, as usual 
) and started adding a zinc and a copper supplement to my true black filly’s diet–the BO’s water has a LOT of iron in it, to the point where it’s often yellow, yikes! :-/
She has stayed much blacker as a result, and this year’s coat (as well as her mane and tail) are darker–with no apparently bleaching yet; we’ll see how much the sun affects that between now and when they are switched over to night turnout.
I get the supplements from Uckele:
http://equine.uckele.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=copper+supplement+for+horses
The poly Zinc is on the third page. Not pricey, and they do the trick!
That’s awesome
Horsetech also have polycopper and polyzinc, if you’re already ordering from them
[QUOTE=JB;8132516]
That’s awesome
Horsetech also have polycopper and polyzinc, if you’re already ordering from them[/QUOTE]
Thanks for the tip! Rats, I just (re)ordered Glanzen from them, and could have added the polycopper and polyzinc to the order and saved myself the shipping from Ucklele :sigh:
Next time, since I will inevitably run out and need to re-order
I just wanted to add that you ROCK, JB I always enjoy your posts, and find that you are–without fail–educated, reasonable, logical, well-spoken, decent, and polite, with a sense of humor. You also have the skill and tact to come across without ever being condescending, smug, sanctimonious, or holier than thou (an ahem COUGH, rarity on this board!)–even though you are a fount of knowledge. I always learn something from you
You are a COTH treasure.
Kudos and cheers! Insert little hand clapping emoticon here
Wow Doolittle, ummm…thank you!! :o Seriously - you are so sweet and just made my month!
Add me to the JB fan club! Super knowledgable about feed, hooves, etc. and is the undisputed COTH Deworming Guru! :applause:
[QUOTE=JB;8133411]
Wow Doolittle, ummm…thank you!! :o Seriously - you are so sweet and just made my month![/QUOTE]
Frizzle–I’m glad you agree!
JB, I am tickled that I made your month (and it’s my favorite month–so we are already happy!), but you really do SO deserve these accolades.
There needs to be more posters like you, and we should appreciate them more frequently and publicly.
I’ve been feeding my solid black mare Omolene Horseshine. It has fat plus both minerals to cover all my bases.
o You guys are too much
[QUOTE=Dr. Doolittle;8133387]
You are a COTH treasure.[/QUOTE]
Yeppers!
OP: most of the commercial darkening supplements contain paprika, which tests. While making sure your horse has the above vitamins, his/her coat color and whether or not it will bleach does have a genetic component. I do know of a product, can’t remember the name, that has a sunblock that I’ve used in black tails with moderate success. But I imagine that any sunblock might work? A non-greasy spray maybe? But for coat color…you are too late this year for growing a darker coat, but keeping your horse in during midday or a sunsheet might save it from bleaching.
I had great luck keeping my gorgeous dappled buckskin from bleaching out to an unrecognizable…something…by applying Quic Screen (from the makers of Quic Silver) it’s a spray on sunscreen. Directions say to apply once every 8 days. I typically applied it once every 5 or so days, more if the horse got rinsed or wet otherwise.
Seemed to keep her black points and mane and tail black, and her buckskin rich and dapply. Now that she’s sold, I’m using what’s left on my OTTB’s black tail. which seems to be the only thing susceptible to the sun for whatever reason.
OH! And I too, am on the JB bandwagon. LOVE the respectful, insightful, knowledge filled advice. Everybody should have one of you stowed away in their feed room! COTH should pay you.
[QUOTE=enjoytheride;8133993]
I’ve been feeding my solid black mare Omolene Horseshine. It has fat plus both minerals to cover all my bases.[/QUOTE]
Do you mean Omega Horseshine?
While the above does contain copper & zinc, the amounts of each (listed in ppm’s = mg/kg) are quite small if fed at the recommended levels of 0.5 - 1 cup/day) and not really enough IMO.
It’s really too late for any supplement to improve fading. These things need to be fed before the new coat grows in. Once the hair has formed it’s done.
Light colored fly sheets, limiting exposure to the sun, hosing off sweat ASAP, and applying heavy duty sun screens daily* are about the only options left at this point.
*Like people, horses sweat so any topical will “wash” off. In addition, dark colored horses should be hosed at least daily in hot weather, more often when being ridden, if the goal is keeping them dark. Sweat is like bleach!
[QUOTE=rcloisonne;8137160]
It’s really too late for any supplement to improve fading. These things need to be fed before the new coat grows in. Once the hair has formed it’s done.
Light colored fly sheets, limiting exposure to the sun, hosing off sweat ASAP, and applying heavy duty sun screens daily* are about the only options left at this point.
*Like people, horses sweat so any topical will “wash” off. In addition, dark colored horses should be hosed at least daily in hot weather, more often when being ridden, if the goal is keeping them dark. Sweat is like bleach![/QUOTE]
Yes, the dreaded “sweat bleach” :sigh:
My coming 3 year old black WB filly HATES water (just hates it!), and has yet to have a “formal bath.” My boarding facility is not set up to desensitize youngsters to bathing/hosing–the only source of water that’s not ice cold well water out of a hose is in a TERRIBLY uninviting “wash stall” with 3 1/2 sides made of light colored boards, up on top of a hill, concrete floor, hose coming out of the ceiling. Yikes! Seasoned horses have to be coaxed into it, and I won’t use this as her first “wash stall experience”.
She hasn’t been started U/S yet, but I’m doing preparatory ground work stuff with her and she does sweat when it’s hot; I guess wiping her down with a damp towel is better than nothing??
I will also second Omega Horseshine, it’s an awesome supplement to improve overall coat quality. Not darkening, specifically, but a really awesome supplement.
And I will also second Quick Screen. I apply it every time I fly spray my horse in the summer and it really helped to slow down bleaching last summer.
I’ve also read that it helps to be selective with your fly sprays. If I recall correctly, oil based fly sprays speed up the bleaching process, so you’d want to look for something water based (someone please correct me if I’m wrong).
Doolittle - I would fill a bucket of water, let it sit in the sun while you do whatever with her, and then sponge it on as a way to acclimate her to baths. You can put a few glugs of acv in it, and use that to cut through the sweat, which will be easier than using soap/shampoo and then having to use enough water to get that out of her coat.
[QUOTE=JB;8137390]
Doolittle - I would fill a bucket of water, let it sit in the sun while you do whatever with her, and then sponge it on as a way to acclimate her to baths. You can put a few glugs of acv in it, and use that to cut through the sweat, which will be easier than using soap/shampoo and then having to use enough water to get that out of her coat.[/QUOTE]
The problem with that is “containment”, she will FLEE the moment she feels drips on her skin. It’s tough when I’m working with her by myself, and I can’t hard tie her in the stall (I tie her in the corner to groom her with a blocker ring on a high tie ring, she’s fine with that.) She’s a complete twit about it, not quite sure why–but it sends her into panic mode, even though we have tried to gradually get her used to a little water on her in the stall. She CAN’T STAND IT! She will “tolerate” a wet towel rubbed on her, but it took me a long time to get her gradually accustomed to the sensation. Flyspraying her is a treat :rolleyes: It took me months of desensitization to get her to tolerate it, feeding her carrot pieces, taking an excruciating amount of time, patience, and praise out the ying yang.
Oy vey! And this is a filly who couldn’t care less about long lines or saddle pads or surcingles, I’ve dragged them all over her body and her legs, and she is completely blase’. But WATER?!? :eek:
Figures a black horse would be water averse…:rolleyes:
