sunburn and appaloosas

[cvb]

I've checked the other threads and could only spot previous questions about noses getting burnt.

I have an appaloosa - her nose definitely needs (and gets) protection from the sun.

But the last few days I've noticed that some areas of fur are slightly raised - and its where the skin is pink. I am guessing this is sunburn - it seems the likely culprit. It is not a severe reaction, I just know her like the back of my hand.

Her coat is quite thin right now - its been quite humid so she seems to have lost a bit of coat. I am guessing her coat would normally give protection but isn't.

So as a necessary evil, I have gone out and got her a sun-coat to protect her. I don't like adding more things to a horse than necessary. But if she is going to get burnt, this is not going to be uncomfortable in the present, but I would also think it increases the risk of skin cancer in the longer term.

So, to stop rambling on. Anyone got any advice ? I've added vegetable oil to her diet in the hope that might help her coat. She is perfectly healthy otherwise...

Of course the problem is time limited to short-coat-hot-sun weather but hopefully we will have some good summers in the years to come :D

[Mehitabel]

i read a thread on another message board about someone's skewbald horse who got this on his white patches. with their horse, it wasn't sunburn, but a diferent reaction to the sun. all his white bits swelled up (not just hair on end). they got a sun-rug thing, which i think worked. i'll check it again if i can remember where it was, and if there's any useful info i'll stick a link up.

[myEllie]

Try a sun screen spray, like Quic Screen. I use it on my dark bay to prevent the sun from bleaching out her coat.

[Maci]

Farnam in the US has this product, "Sunshield" which is shampoos, conditioners and coat sprays that help protect against fading and sunburn.

Sunshield by Farnam (http://www.farnamhorse.com/product/products.asp?PRODUCT_id=100117)

Maci :)

[cvb]

Cheers guys. I'll check if they have any European distributors and if not, maybe a bit of import is called for !

By the way Es, if you work out how to post a link - do let me know !

[Mehitabel]

http://www.saddle-up.org.uk/cgi-bin/ikonboard/topic.cgi?forum=4&topic=471&replies=19

here's one, i don't think it's the one i was thinking about but i can't find it! it's on that message board somewhere, i'll have more time to look when i get home tonight. i ithnk it was called photosensitivity, or something like that. there might be something useful to you in this one though.

[cvb]

the fields here do seem to have quite a mix in them, compared to the fields in UK which are mostly 'managed' to be a few species.

In among the clover etc might be something which is causing this. It did seem to happen after she moved paddock, but I was not sure if that was different shade and weather.

I was actually thinking it was quite good that the horses had more choice in what they eat - but then again....:(

[Maci]

Originally posted by cvb
By the way Es, if you work out how to post a link - do let me know !

Do you know how to post a link, cvb? If I understand correctly, you don't, so I'll help! You can either type in the web address (ie: www.newrider.com) or you can click the http:// button while you're posting a reply, and type in what you want to say, then type the link, but the link will be hidden (ie: New Rider (http://www.newrider.com)). Hope this helps, if this is what you need! :)

Maci :)

[Mehitabel]

still not the one i was thinking of - maybe i made it up! but here's another one. http://www.horseweb-uk.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi/YaBB.cgi/YaBB.cgi?board=general&action=display&num=1028800836

[Mary Ann Bright]

Watch out for sunburn, melanomas etc on other exposed skin areas- udders, sheaths etc- because a lot of appies have pink skin here as well. A sun sheet would offer some protection, and if possible the horse should have acess to shade

[cvb]

yes, thats why I was worried. A bit of sunburn in the short term may just be a bit sore and uncomfortable (bad enough tho' !).

But the long term effect of this exposure and burning could be a lot worse !

Luckily the fields here have trees and stuff in. Unluckily horses do not make the connection between sun and feeling a bit itchy, so she is often grazing in the sun ! (Not sure if she does feel sore or itchy - she isn't nehaving different, but I can see the difference).

She has a sun sheet on now. But it would be nice to have a variety of options. I like the idea of a spray sun screen if we were riding - but I have not seen any here. The closest seems to be France :(

If anyone has seen this kind of product in UK (sun screen spray) please let me know !

Thanx