Sunburn?

Jane&Ziggy

Jane&Ziggy

Jane&Sid these days!
Apr 30, 2010
21,978
10,070
113
63
Surrey Hills
Ziggy is a typical grey with completely black skin, even on his nose, and no white markings (legs/blaze etc). He normally has no reaction to sun at all.

He was clipped all over last Sunday and today and tomorrow are forecast to br bright, strong sun. Should I put a fly sheet on him? I honestly can't see him getting sunburn but I thought I should canvass some opinions!
 
Hmm, my thoughts are with you that with black skin he would be far less likely to burn, but on the other hand that skin probably hasn't had much exposure to sunlight over the years to get accustomed to it as he normally has a coat covering it, it won't hurt to rug him if you have one.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Trewsers
I might do but because of the flies biting a clipped out coat not the sun.

Eta @Jane&Ziggy as you have fully clipped are you concerned about flies? I still have clippers in one hand and her in the other, my concern is biting flies and if fly spray actually works before I ride.
Never clipped her summer.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Trewsers
I went over to put a fly sheet on and he trotted away from me twice. When I backed off, he went back to stand in the sun!

He definitely wants to synthesise some vitamin D.

@newforest, flies on Ziggy are worst around his face and his sheath, and those areas haven't been changed by the clipping, so I am not especially concerned about them. Our fly problem tends to depend on the weather really. Today they are not tail swishing at all so the little bastards probably haven't hatched yet!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jessey and newforest
I have put mine in fly sheets today. The flies aren't out yet. But the midges will be biting fairly soon. I have one who was clipped in December and his coat didn't grow much and now he's moulting. So he looks like he's been clipped. I prefer a sheet as hes white mainly and the skin can burn.
 
Jane&Ziggy said:
I went over to put a fly sheet on and he trotted away from me twice. When I backed off, he went back to stand in the sun!

He definitely wants to synthesise some vitamin D.

@newforest, flies on Ziggy are worst around his face and his sheath, and those areas haven't been changed by the clipping, so I am not especially concerned about them. Our fly problem tends to depend on the weather really. Today they are not tail swishing at all so the little bastards probably haven't hatched yet!
Click to expand...
Least he let's you know. :D
Nobody here uses fly rugs, think of I turned out a white cob they would be terrified of her.
 
  • Like
Reactions: AnnaCarlsson
Jane&Ziggy said:
Ziggy is a typical grey with completely black skin, even on his nose, and no white markings (legs/blaze etc). He normally has no reaction to sun at all.

He was clipped all over last Sunday and today and tomorrow are forecast to br bright, strong sun. Should I put a fly sheet on him? I honestly can't see him getting sunburn but I thought I should canvass some opinions!
Click to expand...

There are equine sun barrier lotions available, but many people prefer to use products made for people like high-factor water-resistant creams that are safe for children are a popular choice. Coloured “stick” sunblocks can be easier to apply and show up any “missed bits”.
The face and heels are most commonly affected because these often have non-pigmented patches and less hair coverage.
Head and muzzle masks may provide some relief and rugs can help shield horses with more widespread sensitive areas, it's usually white skin horses that are affected though.

I did some research on fly sheets with UV blockage recently and ended up getting a Shires Sweet Itch one for my horse after recommendations from here
 
Well I clipped and the first thing I noticed was how shiny the rest of her suddenly looked!
 
newrider.com
Top Bottom
Back