Light Colors–Greater Risk?

Share

Got a light-colored horse—white, gray, palomino, dun, or buckskin? All the more reason to make sure you keep him adequately vaccinated against the mosquito-borne West Nile virus.

Credit: Alana Harrison

Results of a 2008 study indicate that light-colored horses infected by WNV are 4.4 times more likely to die of it or be euthanized than their darker counterparts. The study was conducted at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatchewan, Canada.

Although reason for the difference remains unknown, the researchers suggested that immune response in horses might be linked genetically to coat color.

POSTED IN

NEWSLETTER

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
Country*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Stay in the Loop

Gain access to exclusive Western training tips, veterinary advice, horsekeeping insights, and personality and lifestyle content.
HR_22FALL_Cover