During the summer months, it's great when your horse can spend a lot of time outdoors. However, it's less pleasant if your horse is exposed to the sun for too long and gets sunburned. Horses can also suffer from the sun and irritated skin. In this article, we'll take a closer look at sunburn in horses and what you can do for prevention and care.

Types of Sunburn

Too much sun can lead to sunburn and other problems in horses. There are three types of sunburn in horses:

• Direct sunburn: caused by too much sunlight, similar to humans. Horses with white noses or thin hair are more susceptible. We often see horses with a burned nose. This can be effectively treated with a nourishing cream like Doderm Hydro RepairGel.

Sunburn due to toxic phototoxic substances: Certain chemicals in the skin make it more sensitive to UV light. These substances are found in plants such as St. John's Wort, hogweed, buckwheat, alfalfa, and red clover. Some

• medications, ointments, and creams can also have this effect. Consult your veterinarian if you use these for your horse.
• Sunburn due to liver problems: Caused by toxic plants like ragwort, which cause liver problems. Severe damage affects the liver's ability to process waste products. Ensure pastures are free of ragwort.

Symptoms of Sunburn

Sunburn in horses varies in severity:

• Mild burn: Redness, thickening of the skin, warm and sensitive to touch.
• Severe burns: Blisters that ooze fluid, and after a few days, the skin can die, leaving open wounds or scabs. The actual damage often only becomes visible after a few days. In severe cases, blood tests for liver values and liver function may be necessary.

Preventing Sunburn

Prevention is always better than cure. To prevent sunburn:

• Cover your horse during peak hours: Ensure your horse is in the shade, or keep it indoors during the strongest sun hours between 10 AM and 4 PM.
• Use UV-resistant fabrics: such as nose nets, blankets, and leg wraps. Many fly or eczema rugs now have a UV-resistant layer.
• Sunscreen: Regularly apply a waterproof sunscreen with a high SPF to your horse. There are special sunscreens for horses, but human creams can also be used, provided they are safe for animals.

Caring for Sunburn

For severe sunburn, it's advisable to consult a veterinarian to create a treatment plan. Do not cover open wounds with a blanket, as this can lead to scalding, infection, and poor healing.

Milder sunburns can be treated with skincare products that soothe and moisturize the skin. Use preventive measures such as sunscreen and UV-resistant blankets and nose nets to prevent worse outcomes.

Gel réparateur hydratant Doderm

Our Doderm Hydro RepairGel is excellent for caring for minor skin burns. It contains antibodies from bovine colostrum (first milk), which increase the skin's resistance and balance the skin microbiome.

The gel contains natural plant oils that are easily broken down and absorbed by skin enzymes. This allows the skin to regenerate itself and better protect itself from external influences. Furthermore, the gel contains plant extracts and vitamins that support the skin's self-regeneration, and ceramides ensure that skin cells stick together. This keeps the skin hydrated and protected from bacteria. You can read all about our natural ingredients on our ingredients page.

Would you like to know more about how Doderm Hydro RepairGel works? Read all about it on our "How it works" page!

We hope that reading this blog has helped you learn more about sunburn in horses. If you still have questions after reading this blog, please feel free to contact us. We will be happy to advise you!