White hairs on a chestnut

["Lori Bertolucci" <llbertol@ix.netcom.com>]

Hi there all. I sure could use some help on a problem I am starting to have. My chestnut mare is starting to get white hairs where my English saddle sits. She has never had dry spots, or any soring, yet the hairs are definitely there. They are about half the size of the bars on my saddle. And on both sides on her backbone. I will say that she has a problem with pigmentation, since she is a solid colored paint. She even has an area between her hips where the sweat would form from the hot Bakersfield days that has lost it's color and is now large whites spots. And she has roaning at the girth area, though she has never been sored up. Those same white hairs on her back first showed up after spending a week at a clinic when I used a western saddle on her. And again, there wasn't any soring or dry spots. The hairs went away but are now back again. Anyone have any idea as to what could be going on? My saddle is a Whitman with a spring tree, and my pad is a coolmax that refuses to stay in place. Weather permitting, I always wash her off after a ride.

Thanks for any help.

Lori