A mare suffering from severe photosensitivity, with horrific lesions on her body and face has been taken into care by the ISPCA.

A mare, and her three week old foal, were removed from a field in East Cork after the serious skin condition was discovered.

Photosensitivity is a serious skin condition characterized by “sunburned,” crusty skin that dies and sloughs away. It is usually caused by a reaction to something the horse has eaten, but the skin problem does not appear until the animal is exposed to sunlight.

This is the second serious case of this condition that Inspector Lisa O’Donovan has seen, and she highlights the need to monitor daily to check for any ailments or abrasions. Blood tests are being carried out on the mare to assess the status of her liver.

“The mare is comfortable at present, but she has to be kept stabled and her skin kept soothed. We are still unsure of the severity of the damage to her body, but we are thankful that both her foal and herself are safe and kept in a cool UV free environment,” said Inspector O’Donovan.

It is presumed that this condition was activated by something that she had eaten in the past, that had caused issues to her liver, but more may be determined from her blood test.

Unfortunately, the mare was not micro-chipped and enquires are ongoing to trace her owner.

Both mare and foal are currently doing well in the care of at the ISPCA Equine Rescue Centre in Mallow, Co. Cork.

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