Anybody?

[trackgal]

I have a horse in my barn who's nose/muzzle is peeling, I dont think it is sun burn, he just developed this over the winter, the rest of him looks good, he has oil as a food supplement, I'm wondering if it's from that..

[TrueColours]

The only horse I ever had that did that was from a horrible sunburn - his nose was pumpkin orange and it was peeling in hunks, and we used calamine and aloe on it, copious amounts of sunscreen and one of the Crusader maske to totally cover his nose area

Maybe try the soothing lotions on him - the aloe and calamine and see if that works!

I cant see how it could be related to the oil you are giving him though ...

Good luck!

[madelyn]

Can't be sunburn. Must be dew poisoning.

[LSB]

I vote for dew poisoning too.

[Heidilady]

I found this bit from using Google for anyone wishing to know what dew poisoning is. If it was wet and humid in your area that is more of a dew poisoning indicator but cold and dry weather would make me think twice. I do not, however, have personal experience with it so I'd defer to the others here. As far as sun burn goes, it doesn't mean it has to be sunny or warm. Overcast is actually worse for UV rays bouncing around. I got the worst sunburn of my life in the middle of winter because it was a tad warmer than usual and I didn't think to put sunscreen on my arms or face.

PHOTOSENSITIVITY OR “DEW POISONING”

A third common disease or condition of the horse and mule which is seen primarily in the summer is known as “photosensitivity.”

This condition occurs in horses which are grazing clover, especially alsike clover, in wet and humid weather. It does not have to rain but will occur simply in dew laden clover pastures. The affected horses will develop a photosensitivity and hepatitis known as Trifoliosis. Horses and sheep grazing on kleingrass in hot humid weather will also succumb to the same condition.

Horses grazing on clover pastures will develop an acute photosensatization involving the white areas of the muzzle, lips, nose and the areas of the feet between the bulbs of the heel. These areas of dermatitis will blister and peel. The condition is commonly referred to as “dew poisoning” because of the location of the dermatitis and its contact with the dew and clover in the pasture. Some of these horses will have yellow mucous membranes and when blood is drawn and tested will have high serum elevations in liver enzyme tests. Sometimes these horses may show liver degeneration and enlargement of the organ.

Occasionally some of these affected horses will show a good amount of swelling in the knee, hock and pastern joints.

In my experience these afflicted horses will recover if removed from the pasture. I apply olive oil, to which I have added some dexamethazone, to the photosensitized area of the nose, muzzle and the rear areas of the feet. It is best to keep the horse out of the sun for a week or so. For those animals which have swollen joints, I put them on anti-histamines and dexamethazone for several days. They respond to the treatment very well.

....Horses may graze the same pasture without problems when growing and weather conditions become drier.

[BJ]

...
Maybe try the soothing lotions on him - the aloe and calamine and see if that works!

I cant see how it could be related to the oil you are giving him though ...

Good luck!

Actually oils have been known to prevent absorption of certain vitamins and minerals. What kind of oil is it?

[xpectpeas22]

i am really glad i read this i had never heard of dew poisoning,

i also feed oil with my horses grain. it is cocasoya(sp?) got it from the equine affair in MA been using it for two years. have you ever heard of it? and just out of curiosity what oils do you need to be careful of??