08/07/2026
Most people know that multiple options exist for keeping flies off your horses...but what about the sun? How do you protect your horse from the sun? Did you even know that you need to?
Living at high elevation makes the sun more intense, not just for people but for horses too. And horses with all skin colors are vulnerable but especially horses with pink skin.
When Nickle arrived in August a few years ago, he had a severe sunburn. Just touching his back was excruciating. I've often thought about horses that misbehaved when being brushed or ridden that had sunburned skin and the handler/rider didn't know it!
I go to great lengths to keep Nickle safe from the sun, and I wanted to share a few things I do!
1. He always has access to shade. Letting him choose where to stand and providing shade consistently throughout the day is the best first step.
2. Nickle is always covered. I know this isn't possible for some horse owners, but it is something I can do with Nickle. If covered, he can graze and play, in the sun, if he chooses.
3. Use sunscreen. I buy spray on sunblock and use it when we ride, especially on Nickle's nose and back; areas not covered by tack.
4. Buy sunscreen specific horsewear, such as Kensington's fly mask with UV protection. Horses with light eyes and pink around their eyes are especially sun-vulnerable. There are also UV protective fly sheets. I choose to use a combination of fly sheets and stretch hoods on Nickle. He does have dark eyes and black skin around his eyes, but many Paints/Appys do not!
Let's talk about those stretch hoods;
Years ago, one company made them: "Sleazy Sleepwear". They were solid colors and very expensive! So, I made a pattern and bought clearance swimsuit fabric and made my own for years, for about 1/4 of the cost. I also had unique fabric patterns so my hoods and stretch sheets were easily identified at shows!
That original company is long since gone, but now stretch hoods come in any color, size, pattern and price. But what I've found is that while the fabrics are all pretty much the same, the "cuts" vary considerably with company. The $79 hoods really do fit better (in most cases) than the $19 hoods. But because Nickle goes through "clothes" so quickly, I just buy the cheapest hoods I can find, usually under $20, and expect to modify them.
I always cut the eye openings bigger and sometimes add Velcro to the nose to keep the hood from slipping back. I dislike zippers so I sew them shut, but other people like them because their horse may not want things pulled over their eyes.
What about the heat? Well, keeping the sun off the horse may actually keep them cooler. But do try to use light colors during the summer heat!
Any ideas I missed?
