Instructions
Find the source of the problem. Usually the saddle is the culprit, but a bareback rider also can cause pressure damage, as can an improperly placed saddle pad or ill-fitting blanket. Check all your equipment to find what is rubbing your horse.
Eliminate the problem. If the hair is white on the top of the withers, you may not be pulling your saddle pad up into the gullet of your saddle properly. Make sure there is plenty of air between the top of the wither and the saddle pad by pulling straight up on your pad before tightening your girth. If there is no room to pull the pad up, then your saddle may be too wide. Instead of the points of the saddle resting on either side of the horse's withers and shoulders, it has sunk onto the top of the withers. You may be able to use corrective padding to shim up the front of the saddle or you may have to buy a new one that fits your horse. If you are using a horse sheet or blanket that is too big around the neck, it also could create white hairs along the top of the withers.
If the white hairs are along the sides of the withers or top of the shoulder blade, then your saddle is likely too narrow. You may be able to shim the saddle up so the points of the saddle are on a narrower part of the horse, but most likely you will need a wider tree saddle.
Wait for change. You will not see any improvement until the horse sheds and grows new hair, but anything you can do to restore blood flow to the area and promote healthy hair growth will help. You could try heat, magnet or red light therapy in the damaged area. None have proved to work on hair regrowth, but certainly will not hurt (unless you are pressing hard enough to once again reduce circulation).
Feed your horse grains or supplements high in omega 3 fatty acids to help put a shine in his coat and help give him a healthy glow. If your horse has his winter coat, you can speed shedding by placing him under artificial lights 12 to 16 hours a day. If the damage was not severe, your horse should be back to his normal color as the new coat grows in.
How to Restore Hair Pigment on a Horse's Withers
Have you ever seen white hairs on a horse's withers? When pressure is applied anywhere on the body, it cuts off circulation to the hair follicle. If the pressure is applied for too long a period of time, the follicle can become damaged, lose its pigment and grow in white. If the damage is severe, the follicle may be damaged forever. However, there are ways to reverse more moderate damage and return the hair to its normal color.