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[RC] RC] "fleabitten" - Ridecamp GuestPlease Reply to: Nicole z_arabs@xxxxxxxxx or ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ========================================== So the question is this. Why do horses become 'fleabitten" is it like freckels in humans, related to overexposure to the sun? Anyone know?<< Hi Maris, Welcome to the wonderful world of owning greys. I LOVE greys! Anyway, there hasn't really been much/any research into the whys of the ways greys change from horse to horse. Most of what is known is antectodal. There is likely some genetic connection: ie. a fleabitten parent is more likely to have fleabitten offspring, but it's certainly not an absolute. There are theories about fleabites vs white and homozygous vs heterozygous, but those have been disproven by horses that don't fit the theories. :) For the sun connection, I'd say yes, there's some sort of connection. If you lift the mane of a fleabitten grey you'll usually find less fleabites under there where the sun don't shine. I don't think this could be termed "overexposure" to the sun, however. Just exposure.... As for your new guy, his bursting into fleabites may be related to his outdoor activities, or it might have just been his time to develop them. The only thing we really know about greying patterns is that each horse is an individual and they're all beautiful! :) ~Nicole =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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