Color in horse hair is produced by melanocytes, pigment cells within hair follicles that transfer pigment into the hair cells themselves. Pigment transfer occurs only when the hair is actively growing, Dr. Linda Frank of the University of Tennessee explained to EQUUS magazine.
Permanent patches of white hairs in a darker, solid-colored horse's coat are often indicative of a traumatic or inflammatory injury, like too-tight bandages or nosebands, cuts, or pressure from ill-fitting tack. If the damage is severe enough, the hair follicle could be damaged and the hair might never grow back at all.
Melanocytes are more-easily injured than the hair shaft itself, however, so it's possible for the hair to grow back, but to be white and not its original color.
This is the premise behind freeze branding, which destroys melanocytes with extremely cold temperatures, causing the hair to grow back white.
There is no way to restore pigment to melanocytes in damaged hair, no matter their location or the length of time since the damage occurred; these white hairs and patches are permanent.
Read more at EQUUS magazine.
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