I have some horses that have a blaze and thus pink noses.
I know anything with zinc oxide offers the best protection, and I am currently using my pony sunblock on them. But I feel like it doesn’t last that as long as I would hope for.
I thought I would see if you guys had any recommendations. I have 6 horses that have this problem, and I’m trying to stay ahead of it.
I did buy some fly masks as well that have long noses that I plan on trying out as well.
Use the fly masks.
Anything you put on their noses will get washed off as they dip their muzzles to drink and could possibly contaminate the drinking water.
I would second the fly masks with nose covers, as the best protection method.
As a second method, stall them during daylight, turn the horses out at night. You can bring them in before 10A, out after strong sunlight at 7P or so. Depends on where you live, but that works for our horses. Secondary benefit is horse is handy to use, already in the barn during the day for quick sessions. They NEVER develop an attitude of “I don’t FEEL like working so you can’t catch me!” about being used.
Sunscreen is made to be applied several times a day, if out in the sun all that time. You just can’t be doing that with horses on a daily basis. So sunscreen is not much help unless you are at a show, spending the day with the horse to keep putting sunscreen on every couple hours as recommended on the label.
Plan C might be WalMart’s brand of diaper rash cream. Check the label but the last time I used it on noses, it was 40% zinc oxide.
It stays on better than anything.
As far as killing someone from getting it in the drinking water, I’m sure it can happen but, I use 20 gallon tubs that can be cleaned every day. The horses did drink after the guy who wore the diaper rash cram on his nose because he was the alpha, nobody ever got sick:)
Just a though:)
[QUOTE=yourcolorfuladdiction;8113479]
Use the fly masks.
Anything you put on their noses will get washed off as they dip their muzzles to drink and could possibly contaminate the drinking water.[/QUOTE]
Yep, IME the sunscreen no matter how many tried & how long they supposedly last, never work. Always end up having to go with the fly masks with a long nose.
I’m sure the sunscreen residue getting in the water isn’t going to poison anyone, but may make the water taste off and discourage drinking.
I’ve tried straight Desitin too and that worked better but still got sunburns. I’m in CA and they are out 10-12 hours a day, so it’s a lot of sun.
Fellow boarders have had success with human sunscreen, and since water comes from running springs contamination isn’t a worry.
I’ve used Coppertone Sport SPF about 50 on my Paint gelding with a mostly bald face and very pink nose. I find if I slather it on every day I ride (which is 5-7 days a week, depending…) it really does help a lot. I do have long nose Cashel masks which also help.
I had a grey with a pink nose that burnt really badly during the summer months if left untreated. I tried the fly masks but she always managed to get them off. I found this powder sunblock that is easy to apply and stayed on her for about 10 hours so I only needed a once a day application. One tub lasted me two summers so economical as well. http://www.myponysunblock.com/
[QUOTE=Hermein;8113539]
Maybe this would work. https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/equilibrium-net-relief-muzzle-net-6680[/QUOTE]
I use this, best solution I’ve found. Tried human sunscreen, zinc oxide diaper cream worked the best, but still not great, and long fly masks didn’t cover enough.
I have a nose net attached to the halter, mine is turned out in a halter.
Oh wow just saw the price on that site, sure hope it’s a typo. I just bought a couple of these for about $6 each at my local tack store
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