Why does my horse's pink skin burn so easily in spring and summer?

Read time: 3 minutes

Overview

Pink skin on horses can burn or become sore more easily in spring and summer because it has less pigment and offers less natural protection from strong sunlight. Sometimes this is simply a sensitivity issue, but it can also be linked to skin irritation, plant reactions, or an underlying health problem that makes the skin react more strongly to sun.

Things To Check

1. Check whether the soreness or colour change happens after sunshine, turnout, grooming, or exercise.

2. Look closely at the affected skin for redness, heat, swelling, scabs, peeling, crusting or broken areas.

3. Check whether only the pink, unpigmented areas are affected, or whether darker skin is involved too.

4. Note whether the problem is on the muzzle, around the eyes, along the back, on white patches, or on other exposed areas.

5. Think about any recent changes to turnout, grazing, bedding, grooming products, rugs or topical creams.

6. Check for other signs such as itching, head shaking, rubbing, discomfort, lethargy or reduced appetite.

7. Consider whether the horse has been in contact with plants, wet mud, dirty tack, or anything that may have irritated the skin.

Common Causes

The most common reason is simple sun sensitivity in unpigmented skin. Pink areas have less natural pigment, so they can become uncomfortable faster in strong light.

Fly irritation and general summer skin sensitivity can also make pink areas look worse, especially if the horse is already rubbing or restless.

Some horses react to plants, topical products, or chemicals on the skin, which can make sun-exposed areas more inflamed.

Less commonly, photosensitivity can be linked to an underlying liver issue or another health problem that makes the skin react badly to sunlight. That is one reason ongoing or severe cases are worth checking.

What To Do

Keep a simple note of when the problem appears and what the skin looks like, so you can spot patterns over a few days.

Reduce direct sun exposure where you can, especially during the brightest part of the day, and make sure the horse has access to shade.

Use gentle grooming and avoid anything that seems to sting or make the skin redder.

If the area is dirty or sweaty, clean it carefully with a mild routine suited to sensitive skin, then dry it well.

Check rugs, nose covers and turnout arrangements to see whether they’re rubbing or trapping heat on the affected area.

If the skin is becoming more inflamed, spreading, cracked or painful, arrange veterinary advice rather than trying to manage it alone.

Products That May Help

Warm, bright weather often brings more sun exposure and more irritation from flies, so a summer care routine can be useful as part of day-to-day management.

Horse Fly Sprays & Summer Care

Item added to your cart