Rugs for UV protection, recommendations please!

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Ellietotz

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My little skewbald has sunburn over her withers and saddle area which is raised and sore.
Obviously, it's probably not realistic to cover every single white patch on her where the skin is pink so I'm thinking a rug might be better.

I'm worried as I don't want her getting too hot during summer and I don't want it to rub, she has a thin coat too!

Any recommendations?

This happened last year too so I want to stop it before it gets bad. The vet did bloods and her liver was fine.
 
Ellietotz said:
My little skewbald has sunburn over her withers and saddle area which is raised and sore.
Obviously, it's probably not realistic to cover every single white patch on her where the skin is pink so I'm thinking a rug might be better.

I'm worried as I don't want her getting too hot during summer and I don't want it to rub, she has a thin coat too!

Any recommendations?

This happened last year too so I want to stop it before it gets bad. The vet did bloods and her liver was fine.
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Any fly rug or no fill rug would do. They don't have to have specific UV blocking material. Just as long as it's not mesh or something that can let sunlight through.

I've seen UV masks for muzzles aswell. They attach to a headcollar and cover the muzzle in a way that reflects the sun. I'm sure there's quite a few bits and pieces about. You could have a look at on line tackshops based in Australia, I'd imagine you would get some ideas there.
 
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Sunburn under the saddle is unusual as the area is well covered with hair, do you wash her off well with plain water after exercise as the salt in her sweat will dry out her skin and that could be why she tends to burn, a fly rug should help protect from the UV rays and if it fits well should not rub.
 
We tend to rug against UV more than you Northerners :D

I like to use cotton rugs, the higher percentage cotton the better. I'm not so much of a fan of the mesh type rugs, unless the material is very light (in saying that, we have more extreme heat and UV exposure here so the other mesh might be perfectly fine for your area). I would suggest looking at "flag" rugs for your issue. They are an incredibly light material and protects well from exposure and they are light enough to use in hotter conditions. There are several online Aussie saddleries that stock these if you want to have a look.
 
The Horseware Amigo 3 in 1 vamoose rug would be a good choice, I've now got several for my various neds. It's a sort of meaty fly rug with a waterproof strip of fabric along the neck and topline, and mesh elsewhere. My coloured Cushings mare got sunburnt over her back last year when I clipped her in the spring and then turned her out rugless on a hot day :o. I subsquently used one of these on her and she was fine after that.

https://randrcountry.co.uk/products...iYLVJNpF8nwkss9ujYL4g4_m0LHoRm1BoCjw0QAvD_BwE
 
Northern said:
We tend to rug against UV more than you Northerners :D

I like to use cotton rugs, the higher percentage cotton the better. I'm not so much of a fan of the mesh type rugs, unless the material is very light (in saying that, we have more extreme heat and UV exposure here so the other mesh might be perfectly fine for your area). I would suggest looking at "flag" rugs for your issue. They are an incredibly light material and protects well from exposure and they are light enough to use in hotter conditions. There are several online Aussie saddleries that stock these if you want to have a look.
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Can't find any that deliver to UK! :(
 
I normally clip my cob during the summer months as he's quite hairy and gets too hot. I rang horseware and they recommended the Aussie all rounder to prevent him getting sunburned. It's brilliant and I would recommend it! It's light weight, breathable but also stronger than a fly rug.

I've also known horses to get sunburned on the areas with pink skin (ie. the white patches on a coloured), even with full summer coats. The dark patches are always fine - So you're definitely not alone on this!
 
ashlingm said:
I normally clip my cob during the summer months as he's quite hairy and gets too hot. I rang horseware and they recommended the Aussie all rounder to prevent him getting sunburned. It's brilliant and I would recommend it! It's light weight, breathable but also stronger than a fly rug.

I've also known horses to get sunburned on the areas with pink skin (ie. the white patches on a coloured), even with full summer coats. The dark patches are always fine - So you're definitely not alone on this!
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Thank you! Glad it's not just my complicated mare! I have the Aussie all rounder, do really rate it but I think it just gets a little too hot. I have ordered a kool coat airstream which by the looks of it is the same material as the Aussie one but it has mesh panels for more airflow. We can only hope!
 
Ellietotz said:
Thank you! Glad it's not just my complicated mare! I have the Aussie all rounder, do really rate it but I think it just gets a little too hot. I have ordered a kool coat airstream which by the looks of it is the same material as the Aussie one but it has mesh panels for more airflow. We can only hope!
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Damn you can't find any that post :/ I have a "Caribu" branded one I like. A lot of people use the Kool Coats here, I dislike them because they tend to have a lot of static. But hopefully it will work :) If you really want to try a flag rug, PM me, I come over to Europe semi regularly and can perhaps bring one with me to post to you.
 
I had to clip my palomino/white horse this year as she was getting so hot and sweaty, but unfortunately the pink skin on her neck and back then got the full force of the sun! I bought a UV fly rug from Derby House - the Elite Stormsafe fly rug with waterproof strip along the back - and it's fantastic. The UV protection is fab and I don't have to worry about changing rugs if it rains. Highly recommend it!
 
Northern said:
Damn you can't find any that post :/ I have a "Caribu" branded one I like. A lot of people use the Kool Coats here, I dislike them because they tend to have a lot of static. But hopefully it will work :) If you really want to try a flag rug, PM me, I come over to Europe semi regularly and can perhaps bring one with me to post to you.
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It was the Caribu one that I wanted, damn! Thank you, that would be brilliant. When are you next here? So I can bear it in mind if this one is no good!
 
I second HeyMich for the Derby House one (though I'm using the Pro Fly Rug instead) and it's the best thing I could have got my boy! It's super lightweight and reflective and it's certainly kept his black hair from being bleached in the sun so I assume the UV protection is good.
He's also been cooler in the heat while wearing it, so that is an excellent bonus!
 
The Derby house ones mentioned above are really good. I have PE superlites aswell and tbh they are very very similar (except in price!)
Great rugs.
 
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