What should I do if my horse has sunburn around the eyes?

Read time: 3 minutes

Overview

If your horse has sunburn around the eyes, the first step is to move them out of strong sunlight and check the area closely. Mild sunburn can cause redness, tenderness and a bit of facial rubbing, but similar signs can also happen with irritation from flies, mud, grooming products or a skin reaction.

Because the skin around the eyes is delicate, it’s worth being gentle and watching for any changes over the next day or two.

Things To Check

1. Check whether the redness or soreness is on the eyelids, above the eyes, or on the pink skin around the muzzle and face as well.

2. Look closely for swelling, broken skin, scabs, crusting, discharge or any sign the eye itself looks cloudy or watery.

3. Notice if the horse is squinting, blinking more than usual, rubbing the face, or becoming sensitive to bright light.

4. Think about recent turnout, especially if the horse has been out during strong midday sun or has very little shade.

5. Check whether a fly mask, headcollar, grooming product or tack has rubbed the same area recently.

6. See if the horse has pale or pink skin around the face, as this can be more prone to sunburn.

7. Make sure there isn’t dirt, sweat, shampoo residue or fly repellent near the eyes that could be adding to the irritation.

Common Causes

Most often, sunburn around the eyes happens because the horse has been exposed to strong sunlight, especially if they have pink skin or very little natural pigmentation on the face.

It can also be made worse by reflected light from pale ground, water or sand, or by spending long periods outdoors without shade.

Other common possibilities include rubbing from a fly mask or headcollar, irritation from flies, or a mild skin reaction to grooming or care products used nearby.

Less commonly, what looks like sunburn may be part of a more general skin problem or eye irritation, which is why it’s sensible to keep an eye on the full picture rather than just the red patch itself.

What To Do

Bring the horse into shade or stable them away from direct sun if that’s practical.

Keep handling gentle and avoid scrubbing the area. If the skin is dirty, use plain lukewarm water and a soft cloth, then pat it dry carefully.

For the next few days, try to limit strong sun exposure, especially at peak daylight hours, and watch whether the redness settles or gets worse.

If the horse tolerates it, a well-fitted fly mask that gives good facial coverage may help reduce exposure and rubbing, but it should not be used if it seems to worsen the irritation.

Keep a note of any changes in size, colour, swelling or comfort level. If the area is not improving, or if the eye itself seems affected, it’s sensible to seek veterinary advice.

Products That May Help

When sun exposure is part of the problem, summer-focused fly and turnout management items may be useful as part of your horse’s routine care, especially if they help you reduce irritation and manage time outdoors more comfortably.

Horse Fly Sprays & Summer Care

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