Keeping your Friesian Black?

[All Things Friesian]

Ok Everyone.... spill the beans..

Give us your tips and tricks for keeping those black beauties black!!!

[foxhillfarm]

Turning out at night is the only thing I've found that works. I'm not showing my girl this year, so they've been out during the day. She looks bay! I'm looking at a fly sheet for her to see if it works. She just hates anything on her and I'm afraid of spending the money on a sheet since my last Friesian wore his only once. I came home to find it hanging on him!

[burnymay]

My girl is turning bay too! I have been leaving her out during the day as well she is only 2... she has shelter and shade but chooses to play in the sun...

[friesianfan69]

I find they tinge brown as the coat starts to change,

[crystalthunder]

Fly sheets do seem to work. Spent a fortune this Spring on a sheet especially designed to stop sun bleaching on dark horses but wasted my money as the poor boy was so hot under it that I couldn't bring myself to leave it on! Much rather he be comfortable and bay! Got no idea how to stop manes and tails going ginger though

[morganhrs]

I have three blacks, 2 Morgans and one 1/2 Friesian, all are jet black and outside 24/7. The are on EquiPride and Canola Oil.
I used to feed black oil sunflower seeds until the price went through the roof.

I have heard hay makes a difference as well, especially alfalfa and they get 1/3 alfalfa and 2/3 grain hay. I don't have grassy pastures, so they are fed hay round 'round. I brought home a smoky buckskin that actually looked brown and put him back on my feeding program and his golden highlights came back out.