Posted 2015-09-21 9:28 PM Subject: Sunburn on a dark skinned horse? Dry flaky skin… With pics
Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586 Location: Phoenix
Within the last couple of days I have noticed some very flaky skin on my gelding, especially on his hindquarters. Dandruff is also present. His hair isn't falling out but in places you can see where the skin and hair have detached. Anytime I separate the hair on his butt you can see it all cracking.. This seems different than rain rot because the hair isn't readily falling out. His environment, saddle, pad etc. have not changed in the last nine months. But this is his first summer here in Arizona. He has been pretty itchy along his spine so I've been using a rubber curry to scratch him. He gets bathed 1 to 2 times a week with EQ Solutions and gets hosed off 5 to 6 times a week. Anyone else experience this? Should I do MTG? Head & Shoulders? I'm hesitant to shampoo it--don't want to scrub his hair out! He was bathed yesterday and I took these pictures today.
Posted 2015-09-21 11:28 PM Subject: RE: Sunburn on a dark skinned horse? Dry flaky skin… With pics
Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586 Location: Phoenix
cowgirl_3207 - 2015-09-21 7:38 PM could be "scalding" especially if you wash him down at all before you turn him out. Especially where there is a lot of sun and heat exposure.
Oooooh, he does get turned out after we ride on the weekends....hmm that's probably it. This heat is so tricky!!!
Posted 2015-09-22 3:46 PM Subject: RE: Sunburn on a dark skinned horse? Dry flaky skin… With pics
Expert
Posts: 1482 Location: on my horse
He could also just have dry skin from being washed/watered down so much. I was doing that to my mare and she kind of got the same look. plus living in such a hot environment he may need some more fat in his diet to help his body keep up with the environmental demands. I put my mare on healthy coat and slowed down on the washing/rinsing and it really cleared up her skin.
I know if I'm washing dishes a bunch, just having my hands wet a lot dry them out and can make them crack and look icky like my mare's skin did, its kind of the same thing I think.
Sunburn on a dark skinned horse? Dry flaky skin… With pics
