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Horse Care and Comfort

Feeding to keep Palomino colouring

By:
Denea
Date:
Hello! 2014 Cyberhunt winner 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed

Hi,

My Pally is a gorgeous dark gold with the bleached mane and tail and I've now had him for almost 6 months. I've got lots of people telling me what I should and shouldn't feed and it's getting a bit confusing. He is currently on a white grain diet with Lucerne hay as well as Weanling and Yearling Supplements (he's not long turned 2) as well as Rosehip and a Kohnke's Own product called Palomino Gold.

I've been told that Lucerne especially if fed too much can cause their coat to darken to a black or dappled black and that the rosehip will darken his coat too much. I've been feeding rosehip for years and have found it's anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties to be wonderful in assisting with healing after an injury and would prefer to keep him on lucerne hay as he heats up on oaten and the lucerne has all those extra vitamins and minerals that he needs at his age.

Any assistance anyone could give me would be greatly appreciated.

Kicki -- Sweden
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed 450 lessons completed 500 lessons completed 550 lessons completed 600 lessons completed

Any color of a horse is caused by what kind of pigmentation the cells in the skin produce. And that function in turn is based on the DNA (genetic code).
Outer conditions can have effect on the coat; for example, lots of sun on a sweaty dark horse can have a bleaching effect. Also some black horses can look "sun-bleached" but only to look a bit more red, not pale by the end of summer.
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As for food changing the actual pigmentation I'm sure there are things to that effect. (If a fair skinned human eats lots of carrots, she can develop a slightly orange hue, but not because your pigmentation of the skin changed, but rather because the carotene travels into the skin.)
Maybe the red in rose hips has a similar effect, but you would probably have to feed A LOT to even see it.
I imagine the Palomino Gold feed uses some such ingredient, but it would be interesting to hear what they say would give that effect, and above all; how!? (They usually duck that explanation!)
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That said, I am hesitant to ascribe such dramatic changes to a basic feed like Lucerne. Palomino colors have an odd way of shifting a bit with the seasons. I have seen pics from people (on Color genetic boards) whose Palos are bright gold in summer and sooty dapples in winter BUT a light palo just can't turn black unless something serious has happened to the DNA.

Denea
Hello! 2014 Cyberhunt winner 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed

Hi Kicki,

That's what I thought as well. When I got him it was winter and he still had his baby winter coat which was almost white and in the hot climate i am in I'm not surprised he has darkened over the warmer months.

The amount of rosehip he gets I don't feel would be a contributing factor.

Thank you for your answer. It helped clarify what I thought. :) I'm not overly keen on changing his feed regime now that I have found a ratio that works for him both in nutritional value and assisting with keeping him at a healthy weight.

MaggieF, Melbourne - Australia
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed

Hi Denea the idea that diet can effect the colour of their coats is new to me. Your Pally looks gorgeous but I think that you will find that his colour will change quiet dramatically with the seasons unless you keep him constantly rugged. I would love to keep my Tricka her beautiful golden dappled colour she has once her winter coat falls off but I do not wish to rug her constantly so by march she will be a rather pale creamy white colour. Let me know if you do fing that the Palomino Gold works and I may try it too. Be wary of how much lucerne you are feeding him as it is very rich in protein and can make some horses very lively. A biscuit of clover hay or clover and rye is better for horses with plenty of grass hay to nibble on too if they are kept enclosed or their paddocks/fields are bare of grass.

Denea
Hello! 2014 Cyberhunt winner 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed

Hi Maggie, I've definitely noticed an improvement in his coat since I've been feeding the Palomino Gold. It seems to have rounded out the colour nicely. He will be rugged over winter as Perth's last few winters have been horrible and they don't expect this year to be any better :( My main concern was the lucerne as that seems to have the worst reputation for it however I've only heard it from one or two people and everyone else seems to say they've never heard about it.

Your girl looks gorgeous from what I can see in your pic too :D

http://www.kohnkesown.com/view_product.php?prod_id=28 is the link if you would like more information :)

Kicki -- Sweden
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed 450 lessons completed 500 lessons completed 550 lessons completed 600 lessons completed

You're welcome, Denea.
Now I want to revise part of my response.
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This subject has been on my mind all day, so I started a mini research when I got back home from work.
I had in the back of my head that there are some trace minerals that can cause a shift in hair color, like copper and iron for instance, because the enzyme responsible for the production of (dark) pigments is dependent on them.
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Sure enough, I found what I was looking for!
Copper and zinc deficiencies can cause "rusting" of dark colors because the enzyme isn't produced in enough amounts.
Zinc is very important for many bodily functions, so a deficiency should be amended, but it is important to keep in mind that too much is as bad as too little - sometimes worse. For example there are balances to observe since zinc will mess with the uptake of copper, which is also very important.
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So there is that to observe with cream colored horses with a genetic disposition for being dappled/sooty/smutty, that a diet rich in some trace elements *can* bring forth the dark hairs.
Apparently, this is supposed to be true also for feed rich in protein - like Lucerne -(which in some way makes sense since proteins is the very building blocks of a body), but from what I have read, there is a great variation in what "works". Some horses reacts to this and not to that, while others are vice versa, and some doesn't react at all to anything.
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In view of that I would say that before anyone decides to change the horse's diet to achieve a certain color, they should consider what the horse needs in terms of protein, trace minerals etc and supply that first, and be careful to feed their horse and not the coat. ;)
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Sorry this was so long!

Denea
Hello! 2014 Cyberhunt winner 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed

Thanks Kicki, You've found a lot more information than I was able to. :)He's on specific vitamins for his age group as here in Western Australia we don't have a lot of nutrients in the soil unfortunately so there's not a lot in the base feeds such as hay and chaff. When it comes to my animals health always comes first but when you have a beautiful animal like a horse you try to do all you can to keep them looking good on the outside not just the inside. :)

Kicki -- Sweden
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed 450 lessons completed 500 lessons completed 550 lessons completed 600 lessons completed

I do not doubt your care for the horses, Denea! :) :) Of course we all want our horses to both look and feel as good as possible. :)
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I hope you all see my finishing thought as a general observation on the subject. Much of what I read on a plethora of forums yesterday was from people actually "feeding the color", so my mind was set on that track.
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Funny thing, though, with dapples is that they seem to appear on many colors when the horse is feeling well and is well fed - which I can understand creates a problem for Palo- and buckskin-owners if the horses are judged in shows as "better" without them.

MaggieF, Melbourne - Australia
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed

Hi Kicki and Denea - this has been fascinating for me and thanks for doing the research, Kicki. I guess I have always just accepted the fact that the colour of horses coats will change with the changes in the climate and seasonal diet i.e. most coats seem to fade in the hot summer months which coincides with less nutrition in the grass. I didn't realise that it was possible to influence this except via rugging. I have been told that if I wish to keep Tricka's beautiful golden palomino coat of spring or Nicky's liver chestnut then I need to have combo summer rugs on all summer and even head covers. However as I do not show them and I like to allow them to enjoy the freedom of no coat as much as possible I haven't done this. Tricka is a dappled Palomino so I guess she doesn't pass the perfect test but she is good enough for me. She is also a quarter horse. Good luck with it Denea and do let us know if you are successful at keeping his beautiful coat as it is in your photo. You can test it out then I may try it!!

vicci - UK (North Wales)
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed

Really interesting stuff Kicki

Denea
Hello! 2014 Cyberhunt winner 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed

I've noticed that too Kicki. I agree that it's frustrating trying to maintain show condition without rugging even with being in a agistment centre with paddocks during the day and stables at night. Not that I'll be showing until next year at least. :) Give him a chance to grow up a bit first. :D

Maggie I'll make sure I keep you updated. If it appears to be the supplements I'll give you a heads up. :D

MaggieF, Melbourne - Australia
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed

Thanks Denea - I will look forward to the result. Tricka's coat is already fading quickly these hot summer days we are having here in Victoria. Very hot to-day - sprayed her and Uggs four times with the hose to-day so that probably doesn't help - they come up to the fence asking for a cool off.

Denea
Hello! 2014 Cyberhunt winner 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed

Just to let you know Maggie, I took my little boy off the Palamino Gold for a month and have had him back on it for 3 weeks now and even with the cooler weather coming in his coat is definitely much 'golder' on the supplement.

MaggieF, Melbourne - Australia
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed

Thanks Deanea - I will try some next spring once she is golden again!

Denea
Hello! 2014 Cyberhunt winner 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed

No problems Maggie, I'm going to trial it again with the on and off over winter (once our weather here can work out what it's going to do :( ) and will let you know.

Kicki -- Sweden
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed 450 lessons completed 500 lessons completed 550 lessons completed 600 lessons completed

Denea, I'm happy to hear that the feed works for you. :) Good luck with your Golden boy!

Denea
Hello! 2014 Cyberhunt winner 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed

Thanks Kicki

Denea
Hello! 2014 Cyberhunt winner 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed

Just wanted to let you know that i have spent half this winter with my boy off the pally gold supplement and half onit and it is definitely making a difference. While not receiving it, his coat went very white and washed out but has darkened quite nicely wnow that he is back on it. He's only on a half scoop ad it is winter but there is definitely something in it thats working well. Someone also mentioined that it does wonders for their buckskin. :-)

Kicki -- Sweden
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed 450 lessons completed 500 lessons completed 550 lessons completed 600 lessons completed

Nice to hear that Denea. :)
I wonder if it works on chestnuts too. ;)

Denea
Hello! 2014 Cyberhunt winner 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed

Not sure Kicki. The notes on the supplement do say for Pally's and Buckskins. For a chestnut you could always try groom or rosehip i suppose :D

Denea
Hello! 2014 Cyberhunt winner 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed

For all those of you with Facebook I have just posted now and then photo's of my boy on the Equus Online Uni Group from when I got him 12mths ago and now(yesterday) Even though he's in paddock condition (because it's too cold and wet for a bath) you can see the change in the coat as he's gotten older and with the Palamino Gold supplement. He's on a simple feed regime of 1 biscuit lucerne hay and 2 hard feeds which are only wheaten chaff, bit of econmix and some copra as well as his vitamins (we don't get a lot of nutrients from our feed over here :( )

MaggieF, Melbourne - Australia
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed

Hope you don' t mind me commenting but his feed regime does sound a bit rich for a young horse that is out of work and about to be started. Depends a little too on whether he is in a paddock with grass or not. Perhaps you may like to think of swapping the Lucerne ( alfalfa) hay for clover/rye hay and pasture hay. He will bea challenge to ride and start on lucerne - acts a bit like raspberry cordial on kids

Denea
Hello! 2014 Cyberhunt winner 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed

He's actually quite quiet on the lucerne. I don't mind. Always willing to take suggestions. :) He's not hot or difficult with work and his work is increasing in preparation for his starting. He now works 2 days in 3 (weather permitting) and we try and work on something different each week while still ensuring his work is interesting enough to keep his attention but not too repetitive that he's bored.

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