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birdof1977
Silver Member
308 Posts |
 Posted - 23 Feb 2010 : 7:11:37 PM
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My lad has been a bit lack lustre lately, he is also loosing some of the pigmentation on his face, and his coat is fading, (although he is dapple grey, and I know this does happen sometimes). I am I right in thinking this is a sign of lack of copper and or Zinc in his diet?
If so, is there a test that can be done to tell for sure? I don't want to over supplement him if its not needed.
Thanks in advance. 
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Pashon2001
Platinum Member
3575 Posts |
Posted - 23 Feb 2010 : 8:12:41 PM
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| I'm not sure if there is a test but pigmentation loss is linked to copper deficiency, I use pink powder on mine, one of my mares gets it when pregnant. I've been told you can't oversupplement, the body will get rid of excess vitamins/minerals that are not required. Give the powder a try, I know its not cheap but usually works within a month. |
     
www.jarvastud.com http://hocon.webs.com/ |
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birdof1977
Silver Member
308 Posts |
Posted - 23 Feb 2010 : 8:24:48 PM
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Thanks Pashon2001. I will go and get some this weekend and give it a go. He is currently on Baileys local, but I'm not sure if this contains copper, and how much. Its just says vitamins and minerals on the bag. He is coming off this soon though, so I may just replace the local with pink powder now.
Thaks again. |
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tamila
Platinum Member
England
2532 Posts |
Posted - 24 Feb 2010 : 07:24:05 AM
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| Try giving Roger Hatch at Trinity Consultants on 01243 551766 as he frequently deals with horses in this situation. It could be that your feed is not properly balanced. |
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karen s
Gold Member
United Kingdom
728 Posts |
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Emagetic
Bronze Member
England
126 Posts |
Posted - 27 Feb 2010 : 2:56:53 PM
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The experience I have had with pigment loss has not been due to a copper deficiency.
My horse was on top spec (a complete mix with the maximum legal amount of copper allowed in a horse feed) and he still had pigment loss. He was being fed as per the recommended amount for his size, age and work load. We contacted top spec and they suggested putting him on seaweed for no more than 2 months (after this time the minerals built up and become a problem for the horse to process) to see if that made a difference and it did improve the condition. Note seaweed should not be given to mares or youngstock.
Before I put him on Top Spec I used copperplex from horse health, for 6 months, and it had no effect. Six months is the recommended amount of time to try out a new feed routine in order to see the full results with pigment loss. I also tried feelgood 30 linseed oil with parsley and this did improve his coat and colour as well.
It is can be easy to over supplement horses without knowing the full effects and so I'd recommend speaking to a horse nutritionist. You don't want to do more harm than good and some feed stuffs are complex with little info on the bag - as you have already found out.
Good luck and please let me know how you get on. |
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delly-b
Gold Member
United Kingdom
1107 Posts |
Posted - 02 Mar 2010 : 10:56:43 PM
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Ooh glad this has come up... My mare had a late (Oct) foal and has started loosing pigment in the skin around the eyes.. Any suggestions to help her would be greatfully received. Obviously foal isn't weaned yet so some suppliments couldn't be given.
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Adele
Batley, West Yorkshire |
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sub
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
1919 Posts |
Posted - 05 Mar 2010 : 1:16:36 PM
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Seaweed - that what I've used anyway.
Doesn't reverse the pigmentation loss around the eyes, but does halt it. |
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Libby Frost
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4711 Posts |
Posted - 05 Mar 2010 : 2:15:33 PM
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as Herbs has had this for a while now , when i spoke to Dave my vet, he said theres nothing you can do. it has a posh long name, possibly beginning in "A" this condition in horses, this condition very similar to Vitaligo in humans, i explained he hated the copper supplements etc discussed a vitamin lick etc, and the difficulties i had experienced with it.He said theres nothing you can do it maybe something they inherit. |
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Medina
New Member
England
18 Posts |
Posted - 30 Mar 2010 : 1:53:43 PM
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Why shouldn't youngsters be given seaweed?
I am currently feeding brewers yeast, seaweed, linseed and MagOx to my 2 - one 5yr old and one 2 yr old.
I was recommended Coppertrition as a supplement to boost copper intake as hay and grazing is often low in copper. |
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Vera
Membership Moderator
United Kingdom
8652 Posts |
Posted - 31 Mar 2010 : 5:45:53 PM
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Because of seaweeds high Iodine content which can cause growth problems.
I've used Copperplex with success in the past for pigmentation loss. |
    
Hampshire |
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Topic |
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How to tell if he's lacking in Copper.
