Should horse owners take precautions to prevent equine sunburn?
Sunny days bring welcome outdoor excursions for equestrians
and their horses. What could be more appealing to an equine than the great out
of doors? However, for many horses, this bright blessing of nature may come
with an increased risk – a sore sunburn.
Is sunburn a danger
for horses?
Sunburn can certainly be a threat to horses, causing
discomfort and even skin cancer (in the most serious cases). Squamous cell
carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer found in horses, and this may
frequently be traced to severe sunburns from ultraviolet (UV) exposure in
sunlight.
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| Cremello Horse - public domain photo |
What sorts of horses
are most likely to experience
sunburn?
Usually, light-colored horses are most susceptible to
sunburn. Appaloosas, Cremello Horses, Paint Horses, Perlino Horses, Pinto
Horses and other pale horses can burn easily in the sun.
Any horse with white markings or patches may be at risk of
sunburn, particularly with lengthy sun exposure. Horses may have white markings
(with pink skin underneath their hair) on their faces, legs, backs, bellies or
anywhere on their bodies. These light-colored regions are most susceptible to
sun damage, as they carry minimal skin pigmentation.
Dark-haired horses (and dark patches on multi-hued horses)
carry considerably more skin pigmentation, which protects them from the
sunlight far more than their lighter-colored equine counterparts. However,
horses with dark hair (such as bay horses, black horses and chestnut horses)
may experience some fading or dappling of their coats with lengthy exposure to
the sun. This is not physiologically harmful, but it can change the appearance
of these equines.
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| Graphic created by this user. All rights reserved. |
What additional risk
factors may increase sunburn in horses?
Extended exposure to sunlight is the most prominent risk
factor, leading to a horse’s vulnerability to sunburn. An equine that spends
many hours (or all day) in a bright and sunny pasture without shade options may
be most likely to experience sunburn – particularly if he or she has light
coloring.
Additionally, some weeds can increase a horse’s risk of
developing sunburn by raising his or her photosensitivity (or sensitivity to
the sun’s ultraviolet rays), if the horse ingests these weeds. These plants
include bindweed, buckwheat, certain clovers, ragwort, rye, St. John’s Wort and
more.
Equines suffering from liver disease (or those taking
antibiotic and certain other medications) may also be extra photosensitive,
putting them at increased risk of sunburn.
What are the symptoms
of sunburn in horses?
Sunburned horses will usually have pink or reddish skin,
which may be peeling, blistering or even oozing. A horse with sunburn may also
have flaking or cracking skin, scabs or swollen areas.
If a horse becomes sunburned on his or her back or withers,
the horse may not be able to carry a saddle or rider comfortably until the
sunburned area has healed.
Of course, horses can be protected from sunburn by the use
of sunscreen products, summer horse garments (such as fly masks and light
sheets) and strategic use of pasturing (including shade offerings).
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