Earlier this month, we covered some of the best ways to care for your horse's skin this summer to avoid sun-related problems.  Now it's time to consider YOUR skin.

The active equestrian spends a lot of time in the sun. From long horse show days to training rides to lessons, we’re outside a lot. If you want to keep your skin looking great, follow these tips to care for your skin.

Remember Your Sunscreen

Don’t head out on a ride without your sunscreen! For the best protection, use a sunscreen with a high SPF rating, and don’t forget to reapply frequently. Make sure you cover areas including the back of your neck and your neckline.

To make sure you always have sunscreen on hand, consider keeping a bottle in your tack trunk. And if applying sunscreen by hand is just too much trouble, then invest in a bottle of hands-free, spray-on sunscreen to keep applications quick before you go ride.

Wear UV-Protectant Clothing

Your clothing can now protect you from the sun, too. When you’re shopping for outfits barn chores or riding, take a look at their features – many are now UV-resistant or UV-protectant. While these garments may cost a little more because of this feature, it’s a worthwhile investment, especially during the summer. Some clothes are even ingrained with sunscreen, now, too.

Top Off with a Hat

Whether you’re teaching a lesson or working outdoors, adding a hat to your wardrobe can offer your skin additional protection from the sun. While baseball caps are great, try to look for a hat which is surrounded by a brim so you can protect your neck and your face. The brim of your riding helmet offers you some protection, but you can also buy a helmet with a longer brim to get extra protection during sunny summer rides.

Moisturize

A quality moisturizer will go a long ways toward keeping your skin looking young and healthy. Moisturize your skin on a daily basis. It’s also a great idea to use a facial moisturizer which contains sunscreen so you get dual protection.

Stay On Top of Your Skin

If you notice that your skin is changing, or if you develop questionable spots on your skin, make an appointment with a dermatologist to get things checked out. If you have moles or troublesome skin spots, make sure that they are promptly examined. Staying ahead of potential health issues can make treatment much more manageable if they do turn out to be anything serious.

All the time we spend outside as equestrians takes a toll on our skin, so make sure you also give your skin the care it needs.

<span style="color:#000000;">Photo credit:  Newhorse.com</span>