Preventing Sunburns in Your Horse
While there are several health risks associated with sunburns in horses, the good news is that there are several steps you can take to help prevent burns from occurring.
Apply Sunscreen
Sunscreen is the most basic of sun care treatment, for which a minimum SPF 30+ should be used. The sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours for proper effectiveness.
Use Fly Masks, Visors and Hats
Fly masks can do more than just keep flies from disturbing your horse. They can also be used to protect your horse’s nose from getting burned. Therefore, if your horse can tolerate one of these masks, you might want to consider using them during the summer heat. Visors and Hats can also provide the same type of protection.
Provide Shade
Of course, providing a shaded area for your horse is also a key component of preventing sunburn. If you want your horse to remain out in in the pasture, ensure shade trees or some sort of structure are available under which your horse can hide away from the sun. If possible, you should also avoid working your horse during the hottest parts of the day. Not only will this lower the risk of sunburn, but it will also lower the risk of general heat exhaustion and other heat-related illnesses.