Vitiligo in Horses

What Is Vitiligo in Horses?

Horses that develop a lack of skin pigmentation, commonly around the eyes, may have a skin condition called vitiligo. This condition is also referred to as Arabian fading syndrome or pinky syndrome because it has been found in several horse breeds including Arabians. 

The good news is that once vitiligo in horses is diagnosed, the condition is purely cosmetic and will not lead to further medical concerns.  

Vitiligo is not considered an emergency, but it’s worth setting up an appointment with your veterinarian to rule out other skin problems.

Symptoms of Vitiligo in Horses

Horse with vitiligo often have “bleached” splotches of skin that can sometimes affect the hair coat and hooves. 

The pigmentation most commonly occurs on the face, especially the bridge of the muzzle and around the eyes.

Causes of Vitiligo in Horses

At the time of this publication, vitiligo in horses is thought to be an immune-mediated condition that develops as a horse gets older. The horse’s immune system attacks and kills melanocytes, which are the cells in the body that produce the pigment in the animal’s skin. As these cells are destroyed, the skin becomes white (unpigmented).

Vitiligo is considered hereditary (genetically transmitted) but is not noticeable at birth, and is typically seen in horses during young adulthood (1–2 years old).

How Veterinarians Diagnose Vitiligo in Horses

Your veterinarian will be able to diagnose vitiligo by performing a physical exam and ruling out any other diseases that have similar symptoms, such as a skin infection or external parasites.

How To Treat Vitiligo in Horses

Unfortunately, there is currently no guaranteed treatment for vitiligo in horses. Since this is a skin condition that is purely cosmetic, not treating it won’t hurt the horse or lead to further health concerns. But it is important to rule out any other skin conditions with your veterinarian.

Nutritional changes can help some horses. One study showed that supplementing with vitamins, A, D, E, and B12 helped, while another showed improvement with excessive copper supplementation. These are vitamins and minerals that are important for skin health. Supplementing them under your veterinarian’s recommendation may rule out any concern of a vitamin/mineral deficiency.

Always work with your veterinarian to determine if your horse needs additional supplementation. Most importantly, make sure your horse is on a balanced diet with the appropriate number of vitamins and minerals. 

Recovery and Management of Vitiligo in Horses

The good news is that while horses may look different with vitiligo, this skin condition will not lead to any detrimental disease. A horse’s skin may improve with supplemental changes and the disease itself may come and go on its own. Your veterinarian may recommend changing your horse’s diet, adding a vitamin and mineral supplement, or adding a hoof and coat supplement.   

Once a horse has lost pigment, they are more prone to becoming sunburnt. You may need to change their daily routine so they are not in the sun for long periods of time. Make sure your horse wears a UV protecting face mask and sunscreen when outside.