I just recently bought a 6 year old Palomino QH with a nice white blaze… first time dealing with blisters and sunburn. So, sunscreen of course, but what is the best way to handle this all season? Also, when she actually has blisters, still use sunscreen or something else to heal them?
Looking for all tips/ideas that work and don’t work!
Thanks!
I’ve used a 50/50 mixture of sunscreen and Desitin with a lot of success. The Desitin will help the sunscreen stick even while grazing, and will also help soothe and heal the area.
Only real problem is some horses seem to really hate the smell and getting it slathered on can be challenging!
I’d definitely use a diaper rash type cream when there are actually blisters. It’s thick and soothing.
Otherwise, I don’t think there’s much besides putting sunscreen on you can do.
I have a TB with a white nose too. I try to keep a flymask with the long nose on him but he hates it. So desitin is my go-to, but if I don’t catch him at breakfast time, forget it. I also use aloe vera gel if it gets burned. Better to prevent it than to try to heal after the fact.
Stick with the desitin, especially if it’s blistered. The sunscreen will sting raw skin. There is a thicker version of the Desitin that stays on better. As mentioned above, the long nose fly mask can help too.
Long nose fly mask if you can. Desitin otherwise. I like the extra strength Desitin, which is 40% zinc. It stays on longer. Definitely use Desitin if you have a sunburn or blisters as it is soothing and will help it heal.
I use Coppertone sport with SPF of about 50 on my bald faced Paint. If I am diligent about putting it on whenever I ride (5-7 days per week) it seems to keep things under control. He does not mind having it slathered all over his muzzle. I also use a long nose Cashel fly mask, but he doesn’t particularly care for it. I often find it stomped into the ground near the round bale.
I like My Pony Sunblock - its a powder that seems to stay on longer then other things I tried.
I have had many white-nosed horses. Any sunblock lotion will work; I prefer the big bottles of SPF 30+ sport. Apply it every day before the horse goes out.
If the horse is already burned and crusty, it will take a few days to heal. Keep applying the sunscreen (most of them have aloe and skin lotions) and it will improve. Sometimes grazing on certain plants will make the pink skin more sensitive to burn; that’s why some horses burn very little, others much more.
Some horses are more tolerant of the creamy goo than others. Some hate the smell. Most (all in my experience) will learn to accept it. Even foals.
Desitin is good, but tends to attract dirt/sand in my experience. Sunblock rubs in and disappears quickly.
Coppertone Water Babies spf 50 in the spray can.
Long nose fly masks here too
Desitin and Bullfrog SPF 50.
My stallion had to have the long nosed fly mask as he hated to have sunscreen slathered on his face. It was the biggest ordeal so I gave up and bought the mask. He still got the desitin if he ended up getting burned. When he didn’t have blisters and I was riding him he got the Aveno Baby sun lotion with a SPF of 90 it was really gentle on his skin and stayed on all day
Sunblock.
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
