Sunburn In Horses: Everything You Need To Know

Summer sees the onset of blue skies, bright days, and longer turnout times. However, sunny days are unpredictable in the UK climate, meaning it’s easy to forget adequate sun protection for ourselves and our horses. To keep your horse in the sun for longer and reap the benefits of hacking and turnout, we’ve created a guide for everything you need to know about sunburn in horses.

What is sunburn?

Sunburn causes redness, swelling, and peeling of the skin, much like in humans. The area will cause a degree of discomfort to the horse, but with correct management, the effects will only be short-term.

However, the affected area may be prone to further cracking and bleeding. If it develops into an open wound, the area is not only significantly more uncomfortable but also puts the horse at risk of infection. UV rays also contribute to infection risk. UV exposure has been shown to have negative effects on the skin’s immune systems, making infection harder to fight off.

Repeated sun damage can cause more long-term problems. Repeated sunburn can thicken the skin’s surface, making the area more prone to developing skin cancer (squamous cell carcinoma).

What horses are prone to sunburn?

All horses are at risk of sunburn; however, those with areas with no pigmentation to the skin (pink skin) are most at risk. Those areas of the horse that have darker skin pigmentation are at low risk of sunburn. Therefore, faces and heels are the horse’s most ‘at-risk’ areas due to the common lack of pigmentation and low hair coverage. However, horses with a lack of pigmentation elsewhere on their body will be at risk of sunburn in these areas, too. White facial, leg and body markings are areas at significant risk of being affected by sunburn. Additionally, horses with cremello colouring will be susceptible to sunburn across the body.

Example: A bay, black or chestnut horse may still have pink areas over the nose and heels. Therefore, it is recommended to apply protection to any pink areas that lack hair coverage and are most exposed to the sun.

In summer, owners tend to turn out for longer periods outdoors. These longer periods increase exposure to UV rays, which are stronger in summer, increasing sunburn susceptibility.

How to Prevent Sunburn

Owners should always consider sun protection, from when horses are turned out in the field to schooling and hacking exercises. Riders may be using lotions to repel flies or be kitted out in hacking safety accessories, but they may not have appropriate sun protection for their horse!

To prevent sunburn, all turnout areas should provide some shade. Trees, hedge lines, and field shelters are all excellent shade-providing features in paddock turnout.

Even extreme weather conditions will not stop your horse from grazing. Therefore, providing extra protection against UV rays is vital. Sun barrier lotions are perfect, ensuring your horse is protected wherever they choose to graze. There are many equine sun barrier lotions on the market which may be suitable for horses with extremely sensitive skin.

Human sun block which is marked for ‘sensitive skin’ is suitable for horse-use too, as they are specially designed to be non-irritating on the skin. When choosing a sun barrier lotion, ensure it has a high factor and is water resistant. Additionally, take note of the time period in which the cream is effective for. Most sun barrier creams do not last the entire day, so regular top ups may be required.

More extensive coverage may be required for horses with larger areas of non-pigmented skin. Lightweight rugs, such as a mesh fly rug and head masks, can be used to reflect and protect against UV rays.

How to treat sunburn in horses

Using a soothing cream such as the Barrier Aloe Vera soothing gel will help ease the horse or pony’s symptoms of sunburn. While using a product, it is advisable to bring your horse into a stable and out of direct sunlight while the symptoms ease. This will result in a faster, more effective recovery. In the stable, your horse is at least at risk of further damaging the burnt area. It will also reduce the chance of further burning or infection if the area does become cracked.

This does not mean you have to isolate your horse to the stable all summer, as your horse will miss out on unique benefits of turnout. If your horse is suffering from sunburn, try turning out with quieter fieldmates when the sun has set. Avoiding sunnier parts of the day will also help prevent laminitis for those who are prone to developing the condition.

If the sunburnt area is blistered or oozing, it is recommended to seek veterinary advice. Vets can supply individual information and topical treatments, as well as antibiotics if they detect infection.

Abnormal Sunburn

Sunburn symptoms that are rapidly increasing in severity or occurring in abnormal area may be a sign of photosensitisation. Photosensitisation is the condition where skin reacts abnormally to UV light. The condition is caused by UV rays activating a compound in the skin, which causes skin damage.

Photosensitisation can be caused by plants such as Clover, St. John’s Wort and Bishops Weed. Buttercups and cow parsley can also cause UV reactivity, as the effective substances are directly absorbed through the muzzle when eaten. Also, certain medications can cause photosensation, such as phenothiazines, thiazides, potentiated sulphonamides, and tetracyclines. However, photosensitisation being caused by the administration of these drugs is uncommon.

Liver damage may also be a cause a photosensitisation. When the liver is not functioning properly it cannot process chlorophyll, which is contain in plants. This causes the production of phylloerythrin in tissues, which causes sensitivity to UV rays.

The skin condition can be easily treated however, it may be a sign of more serious, underlying issues. If your horse is presenting with abnormal sunburn, it is recommended to urgently seek veterinary advice.