Home Remedies for Your Sunburned Horse

Horses are like humans: They can get sunburned if they are exposed for an extended period of time. It is uncomfortable for your beloved pet. While he may start out with small reddish spots, swelling and blisters can form if the sunburn is not treated. Since sunburn in horses can lead to liver damage and other serious illnesses such as jaundice, diarrhea, weight loss, and even colic, you must treat him. However, do not despair, there are many remedies that you can try to soothe your horse.

When you first notice that your horse is sunburned, give him an aloe vera bath. If you happen to have an aloe plant, pick the leaves and squeeze the juices into a bucket of cold water and mix. Gently bathe the horse with this mixture. If you do not have a plant handy, any aloe gel will just work as effectively.

You can also combine chamomile, lavender and peppermint essential oils in the cold water. These all are excellent for providing moisturizer to the skin and soothing the pain at the same time.

Keep a mixture of Vitamin E oil and olive oil in your refrigerator. Whenever your horse shows signs of being sunburned, apply this mixture to his red spots.

With cotton balls, apply apple cider vinegar to the sun burnt areas. This helps prevent the skin from blistering and peeling.

Keep treating your horse daily until he is completely healed of his sunburn. Keep him in the stable or in the shade.

Include flaxseed in your horse's diet. It helps him heal faster from sunburn and helps him grow a healthy coat at the same time.

The best home remedy is prevention. Keep him out of direct sunlight. Use blankets and hoods to protect his most sensitive areas. There are even several types of sunscreen protection made specifically for horses. Check with local stables and tack shops to see what is best for you horse's needs. Before you go on a long ride, use this on his most sensitive areas.

We know how painful sunburn can get. Your horse goes through the same type of pain. You do not want your horse to suffer or get health problems because of untreated sunburn, do you? Do whatever you can to protect him from the sun and treat him when he does get sunburned. While these remedies are all effective against sunburn, if the symptoms go not go away or if they get worse, call your horse vet.