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What should I do about preventing and treating sunburn? I haven't seen any horsey sunblock around, but everyone babbles about preventing it and treating it. Well then what on earth do you use?!

>>What should I do about preventing and treating sunburn? I haven't seen any horsey sunblock around, but everyone babbles about preventing it and treating it. Well then what on earth do you use?!

You use shelter and mesh sheets that are made specifically for that reason Some fly sprays have some sunscreen protection but they sweat off and aren't as good as physical barriers.

Our horses have a run in they use during the hottest parts of the day, and the horses that don't have access to that we bring up during the summer days.
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PH Cody
HorseHobbyist Site Coordinator

I too have been dealing with sunburns but due to the fact I pasture board my horse at a boarding facility and have small children I am limited on being able to check on my horse while wearing a thin mesh sheet.I am afraid that the sheet will get lost or that the horse will get tangled in branches with it on. I have found good sucess in using childrens sunblock that is waterproof and sweatproof. I usually buy the NO AD with the highest SPF and it works well and is cheaper. I tried the fly spray with the sunblock but that did not work. When I apply the sunblock I put it on heavy and reapply it after it rains and or every three days whichever comes first. I have also noticed that I only need to do this in the month of August. But I still do light sunblock throughout the summer. Good luck.

My stallion is nearly completely white and can get sunburned in the summer. To help prevent this, I feed him corn oil with his grain. I also feed beet pulp which some say helps. Limit or omitt all clover....it can cause photosensitivity. My stallion stays outside only, with shady areas and he hasn't had sunburn for nearly 3 years now. I use a fly mask to protect his eyes because they get weapy during bright days, that helps alot. I would rather have the fly mask get ripped than have his eyes damaged. We had one mare get into a good clover patch in the pasture, they sure love it, but she sunburned so bad, she bled on her face. Poor girl, we doctored her for quite a while. Clover is good during the winter, if you don't live here, we get quite a bit of snow and the sun bouncing off the snow can burn them terribly, fly masks also help then to keep their eyes from getting sunburned.
Sammi Jo

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Downtime Training
Sammi Jo Stohler
Training all equines of all ages!
visit www.equidreams.info for more information!