Your horse’s skin is just as sensitive to the sun as your own. Exposure to the sun may result in sunburn (appears as does on humans) and skin cancer.
To protect your horse’s skin, ensure you keep them out of direct sunlight as much as possible. When they are outside, shield their face with a mask and coat their face with zinc oxide cream. Sunscreen can be used, but allergic reactions are common, so do a spot test first or ask your vet.
Flies can transmit diseases to your horse and possibly cause allergic reactions. These insects are attracted to your horse’s sweat, so it is important to wash your horse with cool water at least once a day.
In the morning, spray your horse with a fly repellent to help them avoid flies throughout the day.
Worms and parasites breed in warm, wet weather, making summer the prime time for worm infestations.
Ensuring your horse is wormed will help prevent worms and larvae from becoming a problem. For more information, contact your local vet.
You will need to make sure your horse has access to fresh, clean water at all times (including regular stops when riding), more so during the warmer months.
You can test your horse’s hydration levels by performing a pinch test. Gently pinch the skin fold along your horse’s back—the skin should spring smoothly back into place. If the skin stays in a ridge, your horse is dehydrated.
If your horse is dehydrated, contact a vet to administer fluids and electrolyte solutions.
Queensland Itch is an allergic reaction to proteins in midge saliva, which causes your horse’s skin to become inflamed. You will notice your horse rubbing against objects to try and scratch the irritated skin.
Applying a cream that contains eucalyptus or lavender oil will help soothe the inflamed skin. To allow the skin to heal, you will need to keep midges away by applying an equine-friendly insecticide to the horse’s coat.
Keep your horse’s feed in a cool, dry place to help prevent sweating. When the food becomes moist, it is prone to growing mould. Regularly stir the feed to ensure it has not gone mouldy anywhere in the container.
If you notice a change in your horse’s behaviour or need some horse health care advice, contact this Yeppoon vet.
Acacia Veterinary Surgery
Contact: (07) 4939 5988
Address: 40 Normanby Street, Yeppoon QLD 4703
Acacia Veterinary Surgery offers a wide range of large animal health care services. These Rockhampton vets provide farm visits and specialist procedures.
- A wide range of large animal health services including surgery, anaesthesia and dentistry
- Diagnostic services, including video endoscopy, pathology & DNA sampling
- Equine specialist surgeons can perform airway, colic and soft tissue surgery
Caring for both small and large animals, the dedicated team at Acacia Veterinary Surgery provide after-hours emergency services, so you don’t need to worry. For all your equine health care needs, call Acacia Veterinary Surgery.
For all your horse’s feed, supplements and equipment needs, visit this Yeppoon pet food and supplies store.
Contact: (07) 4939 5832
Address: 6 Jabiru Drive, Yeppoon QLD 4703
The team at Yeppoon Stockfeeds have more than 60 years of combined industry experience and pride themselves on providing quality produce and advice.
- Supply of stockfeed and supplements
- A range of gates, fences and pumps
- Round and square hay bales
Stocking trusted brands, such as Pryde’s, Cobber and TuffRock, Yeppoon Stockfeeds are locally owned and operated. In store, you will find a range of farm and horse supplies. Visit the team for quality products and customer services.