Because of this, many equestrians prefer to own horses that are unique in appearance, which can be difficult when some of the most beautiful breeds are very rare to come by.
But did you know that one of the world’s most attractive breeds is actually a normal horse with a unique condition?
Known as Flea Bitten Greys, these majestic horses are often identified by their distinctive coat, which often exhibits a grey hue speckled with tiny brown dots.
Because of their unique appearance, Flea Bitten Greys have become a popular breed of choice among enthusiasts, even though the horse begins its life as a completely normal bay or chestnut.
So how do Flea Bitten Greys get their distinctive markings? Well, if you want to know more about these wonderful animals, then you’ve come to the right place.
In the following article, we have collected seven facts about Flea Bitten Greys that will help you to further understand these rare horses. So if you want to know why this coat color is so unique among its vibrant counterparts, then take a look below and find out.
How Can You Identify A Flea Bitten Grey?
Although Flea Bitten Greys are considered very distinctive in their appearance, it can be very difficult to identify the breed during the early stages of its development.
This is because Flea Bitten Greys are commonly mistaken for Dapple Greys and will usually begin their lives with a chestnut or bay coat before finally developing their distinctive hue.
When Flea Bitten Greys are born, they will begin to develop bay highlights shortly after their birth and can be easily identified by the little brown spots that cover their bodies during maturity.
Unlike other breeds of grey horse, Flea Bitten Greys do not commonly display dappled coats and will not exhibit black or dark manes.
How Much Can A Flea Bitten Grey Cost?
Because of their distinctive appearance and rare breed, Flea Bitten Greys are considered more expensive than other breeds of grey horse.
For example, a mature Flea Bitten Grey can usually grow to heights of 15.3m and can be purchased for around four thousand dollars. Whereas a young and immature Flea Bitten Grey will usually fall somewhere between 1500 to 3000 dollars.
Where Can You Buy Flea Bitten Greys?
Fortunately, Flea Bitten Greys aren’t considered a hard breed to purchase, even when considering their rarity. This is because Flea Bitten Greys can be found in various countries across the world and are in high demand among horse collectors. So if you are interested in buying one, then there are a variety of websites that you can visit.
To help aid you in your search, we have listed some popular equine websites down below:
Although equestrians will commonly refer to caring for their Flea Bitten Grey as upkeep, the term does not really apply when it comes to keeping this particular breed.
As a horse, the Flea Bitten Grey does not require any unique treatment or high-class care, which means their annual expenses are no more than your average horse.
In terms of upkeep, the total cost of caring for your Flea Bitten Grey using special treatment will usually range around $3876. While caring for the horse on a more standard level will fall into the area of $2419.
How Do You Care For A Flea Bitten Grey?
As we have previously mentioned, Flea Bitten Greys do not require any special treatment or extreme level of care, which means they are no more easy to look after than your average breed of horse.
However, if you want to make sure that your Flea Bitten grey is receiving everything they need to live a long and bountiful life, then we have listed some useful suggestion in the section below:
It is important to feed your Flea Bitten Grey a balanced diet of fruit, grains and vegetables, as this will provide them with the vitamins and minerals they need.
If you want to maintain your horse’s slim shape, then you should only provide them with roughage as their main source of calories.
Choose a feed that is high in oil, as this will help to preserve your horse’s coat and overall appearance.
You should also add a cup of sunflower oil to their feed, as this will help to keep their coat sleek and shiny.
7 Facts About Flea Bitten Grey Horses
Now that you know how to care for your Flea Bitten Grey, let’s take a look at some interesting facts surrounding these beautiful horses.
1. They Are Just Regular Horses
Although Flea Bitten Greys are known for their distinctive grey and speckled coats, this does not mean that they are anything more than regular horses. Beneath their unique markings, Flea Bitten Greys are actually very average, which means they display the same common characteristics as other breeds.
2. They Can Have Different Base Colors
In the equestrian world, Flea Bitten Greys are commonly distinguished by their distinctive coat color, even though the breed can be born with any base from red to black.
In fact, Flea Bitten foals do not begin to develop their iconic markings until they are much older, when their coats will eventually fade to grey.
3. They Can Be Late Bloomers
As we have previously mentioned, Flea Bitten Greys can be very difficult to identify during the early years of their lives, as their distinctive hue does not develop until they are older.
For this reason, some Flea Bitten Greys can take longer than expected to display their natural grey coats, although it is unclear why this is sometimes the case.
4. They Can Get Lighter Over Time
Like most grey breeds, Flea Bitten Greys will begin to turn lighter as they mature, with most beginning to pale at the age of 8 years old. However, the distinctive speckles that can be used to identify the breed never fade and remain a staple of the horse’s coat for the duration of its life.
5. They Have Lighter Heads Than Their Bodies
When Flea Bitten Greys begin to lighten, the process will commonly begin with the head and then work its way across the rest of the coat. Because of this, the horse will sometimes display a lighter head than the rest of its body.
6. They Have Light Manes And Tails
Beyond their distinctive grey coats, Flea Bitten Greys can also be identified by other characteristics, with one of the most prominent being their light manes and tails.
Unlike other grey horses, Flea Bitten Greys do not exhibit the same dark features and will often display light tones across their bodies.
7. They Are Not A Breed
Although we commonly refer to Flea Bitten Greys as a breed, they are actually normal horses who suffer from a coat color condition. This means that they can belong to any breed of horse and display the same features and characteristics associated with them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Flea Bitten Greys Their Own Breed?
The short and simple answer to this question is no, Flea Bitten Greys are not their own breed of horse. Instead, they are normal horses who suffer from a unique condition that affects the color of their coats.
Can Flea Bitten Greys Lose Their Marks?
Although Flea Bitten Greys have been known to lose their grey hue with age, it is very rare for them to lose their iconic specks.
What Are The Differences Between Flea Bitten And Dappled Greys?
Beyond their general appearance, there are some noticeable differences between Dapple and Flea Bitten Greys. Probably the most prominent is their difference in their markings, which will commonly take on different hues.
For example, Dappled Grey will only exhibit dark markings on their bodies, while Flea Bitten Greys can exhibit a whole range of different colors depending on their base coat.
Can Flea Bitten Greys Have Any Base Color?
Yes, Flea Bitten Greys can be born with any base color, which is why their markings will often range in a variety of hues. However, the most common base colors for Flea Bitten Greys usually include black, red or chestnut.
Conclusion
So to round things up, Flea Bitten Greys are not their own breed but instead are normal horses born with a coat condition. Their markings can range in color depending on their base coat and sometimes their distinctive hue will not develop until they are mature.
Like most grey breeds, Flea Bitten Greys will eventually lose their grey coats, although they will never lose the distinctive markings that make them so unique.
If you are interested in purchasing a Flea Bitten Grey, then a mature 15.3 horse will cost you around $4000, while a foal will range in price from $1500 to $3000. They do not require any special care and their annual expenses will usually fall between $2419 and $3876.
We hope this article has taught you more about these beautiful horses and that you will walk away from here with a better understanding of how to care for them.
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