Last Updated on June 9, 2022
If you see your horses fur on nose turning red, this can be very worrying. There are several reasons why your horse’s nose might turn red, and all of these may require some veterinary treatment. Let’s find out everything you need to know about horses fur on nose turning red!
Reasons Why Horses Fur On Nose Turning Red
There are several reasons why the fur on a horse’s nose might turn red. In order to establish the reason for the color change, you first need to have a close look at your horse’s nose.
The first thing to check is whether you can see any blood or not. If you can, does this look like fresh blood or older blood that has started to dry up? If you can’t see any blood, is there any other type of discharge on the nose, such as snot or mucus? Have a good look inside your horse’s nostrils to see if there is any fresh or old blood, mucus, or other discharge coming from the respiratory tract.
Next, have a look at the skin on your horse’s nose. Is it the same color as normal, or does it look red and inflamed? Can you see any scabs, bumps, or sore areas on the nose? The other thing to check for on the nose is any cuts, grazes, or other types of trauma.
Once you’ve fully examined your horse, you can start to try to figure out why the nose is turning red. Below are some of the most common reasons why horses fur on nose turning red.
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Nosebleeds
Epistaxis, or bleeding from the nose, is relatively uncommon in horses. If your horse is bleeding from his nostrils, this can be a very serious condition that is potentially fatal for horses, so it is vital to check out this problem thoroughly.
Horses can bleed from the nose for many reasons. The blood can originate from any part of the respiratory tract, from the sinuses right through to the lungs. The blood may be a slight trickle from one nostril or gushing from both nostrils.
The most common cause of nosebleeds in horses is trauma to the head. This could be the result of a kick from another horse, a fall, or banging the head on a solid object. This will cause hemorrhage that pools in the sinuses and then drains out through the nostrils.
A more serious cause of nosebleeds in horses is caused by a fungal infection that causes damage to one of the major arteries in the guttural pouches. This weakens the arterial wall and can cause such extensive hemorrhage that the horse dies. Some horses also have nosebleeds after exercise, which normally stop fairly quickly.
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Respiratory Problems
There are several respiratory diseases that can cause nosebleeds in horses. One of these is sinusitis, which causes a red, purulent discharge from one or both nostrils.
Other respiratory problems that cause red discharge from the nose include abscessation, tumors, foreign bodies, and allergies.
Skin Problems – Horses Fur On Nose Turning Red
One of the main reasons why the skin on horses nose turns red is as a result of inflammation of the skin. This can be due to sunburn or bacterial infection.
Sunburn in horses is very common, particularly in horses with pink skin on their nose. This is very sensitive to sunlight, and severe sunburn can occur on sunny days. The nose should be protected with a pet-safe sunblock, and shielded from the sun with a nose net or face mask.
Some horses also get reddening of the nose as a result of a reaction to a substance, such as pollen or something corrosive. Many horse owners report that their horses nose will turn red if they graze on land that has a large amount of buttercups. If your horse has come into contact with something toxic, his nose may also turn red.
Finally, some horses suffer from an infection similar to mud fever on the nose, which causes reddening of the skin and scabby lesions. This often starts on the nose and gradually spreads up the sides of the muzzle, sometimes extending as far as the eyes. This can be a difficult condition to treat and may require veterinary treatment.
Summary – Horses Fur On Nose Turning Red
So, as we have learned, the reasons why horses fur on nose turning red vary widely, and it is important to have a close look at the nose to see why it is red. If the fur is stained with blood, you need to figure out if this is coming from the nostrils. If the skin is red and sore on the nose, this may be due to a skin condition of the nose.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on horses fur on nose turning red! Do you have a horse that regularly suffers from a sunburnt nose? Or perhaps you’re struggling to keep a nose net on your horse to protect him from sunburn? Leave a comment below and we’ll get back to you!
FAQ’s
How Do I Know If My Horse Has Mud Fever?
Mud fever is a condition that mainly affects the lower leg of horses. It occurs when the horse is exposed to wet, muddy conditions for prolonged periods. Mud fever normally affects mainly pink skinned areas and the main symptoms include scabby, sore areas on the skin.
How Do You Get Rid Of Mud Fever?
To get rid of mud fever in horses, firstly you need to keep the horse's legs as dry and mud free as possible. The legs can be washed with a mild antiseptic solution, then thoroughly dried. It may be necessary to apply topical creams to treat mud fever, but if the symptoms are not resolving then veterinary advice should be sought.
Why Do Horses Get Bloody Noses?
A horse will get a bloody nose if hemorrhage is occurring within the respiratory tract. This may come from the lungs, due to respiratory disease or over-strenuous exercise. Trauma to the upper respiratory tract may also cause a bloody nose in horses.
How Do I Prevent My Horses Nose From Getting Sunburned?
Sun burn in horses can be prevented by using a nose net that protects the sensitive skin from sunlight.
Kate Chalmers is a qualified veterinary nurse who has specialized in horse care for the vast majority of her career. She has been around horses since she was a child, starting out riding ponies and helping out at the local stables before going on to college to study Horse Care & Management. She has backed and trained many horses during her lifetime and competed in various equestrian sports at different levels.
After Kate qualified as a veterinary nurse, she provided nursing care to the patients of a large equine veterinary hospital for many years. She then went on to teach horse care and veterinary nursing at one of the top colleges in the country. This has led to an in-depth knowledge of the care needs of horses and their various medical ailments, as well as a life-long passion for educating horse owners on how to provide the best possible care for their four-legged friends.
Kate Chalmers BSc (Hons) CVN, Dip AVN (Equine) Dip HE CVN EVN VN A1 PGCE