Whether it’s at a horse show, riding, training, spectating, doing chores, yard work, or doing any of the countless things equestrians do, you probably spend a lot of time in the sun. For the most part, this can be a great thing. However, the sun’s Ultra Violet (UV) rays can be harmful if you’re not taking proper precautions.
The American Cancer Society estimates that 192,310 new cases of melanoma – 95,830 noninvasive (in situ) and 96,480 invasive – will be diagnosed in the United States alone in 2019. Several studies have shown the majority of melanoma cases are attributable to UV exposure.
You can’t always avoid the sun’s rays, but you can protect yourself from sun damage and skin cancer. Here are a few products that can help.
Stay Cool and Protected
What could be better than looking stylish at home or in the ring, while wearing a helmet that helps to offer protection from the sun? The Defender AVANCE Wide Brim Helmet combines all of the features of the original One K Defender with the addition of a wide brim to offer additional coverage from the sun’s damaging rays! Better yet, the AVANCE is available with chrome stripe and rose gold stripe options to bring extra game to your style.
Made with an exclusive light and breezy Chill-factor fabric, the Romfh Chill-factor Sunshirt provides cooling comfort along with sun protection. Newly added POWERFRESH, an antimicrobial treatment, will keep your zip-mock sunshirt smelling fresh as a daisy. The shirt is available in fun, bright colors so you can match it with your favorite colored breeches and helmet for the ultimate #MatchyMatchy look, and also comes in artisan print and printed options [for those of you who want to look as cool as you feel! Another sun shirt option is the Ovation Cool Rider Tech Shirt made with Evercool, a silky, featherweight, ultra-moisture-wicking UV fabric that reduces body temperature by promoting a rapid dry time. The shirt features sheer mesh undersleeves to provide an extra cooling effect. Available in both long and short sleeve options.
Stay cooler, dryer and fresher this summer with Ovation Aqua X Breeches. These warm-weather essential breeches are made from a lightweight cool-to-touch fabric which feels 5 degrees cooler. The breeches offer superior moisture management by having millions of superfine channels on the surface that move moisture away from you and out into the air, and come in full seat and knee patch in a variety of colors.
Don’t forget the Sunscreen
Not only for you, but it is important not to forget your horse when considering options for sun protection this summer. Pharmaka Sungard UV Protective Spray is the perfect UV protection for your horse! Sungard is a modern UV protection/UV blocker with a UVA/UVB protection complex. The combination of chemical and physical UVA/UVB filters gives the coat and skin the best protection against harmful radiation. The protection is equivalent to a calculated human Sun Protection Filter (SPF) value of about 30.
Stay Aware
Sweat can sometimes wash away any sunscreen you’ve applied, and the cool air blowing over your skin while riding means you might not realize the intensity of the sun. So, it’s important that you take the extra steps needed to protect yourself.