Can Horses Be Allergic To Molasses?

Published by Clayton Newton on

We often find that Barley, Molasses and Alfalfa are ingredients that can cause unwanted reactions in some horses. For some horses, allergies and intolerances can take weeks, months or years to develop, meaning that their once favourite food could begin to cause unwanted and adverse reactions.

What does molasses do to horses?

The sugar in molasses is a direct energy source of so-called ‘fast energy’ for horses. If you give your horse a lot of work to do, it is necessary to include sugar in the hard feed as a source of energy. That is why molasses is often used in horse feed. In addition, molasses is a good source of potassium.

What are the symptoms of a horse allergy?

Some of the horse allergy symptoms include: itchy, watery eyes. runny nose. sneezing.
Symptoms include:

  • dizziness.
  • hives.
  • low blood pressure.
  • nausea.
  • swollen throat and tongue.
  • vomiting.
  • weak, fast pulse.
  • wheezing.

How much molasses can you give a horse?

The total intake from 7.5kgs dry matter, the minimum amount recommended for a 500kgs horse, would supply around 650grams of sugar. To put this into context, to supply the same total amount of sugar from molasses it would be necessary to feed just over 1kg of pure molasses.

What foods are horses allergic to?

Symptoms can be gastrointestinal, dermatologic, or both. Diet items reported to cause adverse food reactions in horses include lucerne, barley, beet pulp, bran, buckwheat, chicory, clover, malt, oats, potatoes, St. John’s Wort, and wheat, feed additives.

Does molasses have side effects?

Side effects
Also, because people make molasses in a process called fermentation, it can cause digestive problems. Consuming large amounts may cause loose stools or diarrhea. People with irritable bowel syndrome or other forms of digestive discomfort may want to avoid this syrup.

Can horses have molasses everyday?

Some owners choose to avoid processed ingredients (which would include molasses) which is personal choice. But you don’t need to avoid molasses due to the sugar content because in most cases (with some exceptions) it is NOT supplying your horse with significant amounts of sugar compared to the rest of the diet!

What are most horses allergic to?

Insect bites By far the most prevalent equine allergy is hypersensitivity to the saliva from insect bites. The most severe form of this allergy is sweet itch (also known as summer itch and equine insect hypersensitivity), a reaction to tiny biting midges (Culicoides spp.).

What is the best allergy medicine for horses?

Oral antihistamines, such as hydroxyzine, cetirizine, or diphenhydramine, can suppress the histamine response. Unlike steroids, these drugs are safer for long-term use though they can make some horses a bit sleepy.

What is a natural antihistamine for horses?

Quercetin, a natural antihistamine, belongs to a group of beneficial plant antioxidants known as flavanoids. Quercetin is a powerful antioxidant and immune booster and has been said to be similar to, or more effective than, common NSAIDs in reducing inflammation.

What happens if a horse eats too much sweet feed?

The consumption of too much starch/sugar stresses the digestive tract and can lead to colic and laminitis. High starch and sugar concentrates should be fed in limited amounts, especially to sensitive horses.

What can you use instead of molasses in horse treats?

Honey can be substituted for molasses.

Can molasses cause colic in horses?

While molasses does increase the palatability of feed, it’s also useful for reducing dustiness of a feed and discouraging sorting of ingredients within a mixture. When all other avenues of explanation fail, molasses has been incriminated as a cause of colic.

What are 3 things horses should not eat?

Here are eight foods you should never feed your horse:

  • Chocolate. ©russellstreet/Flickr CC.
  • Persimmons.
  • Avocado.
  • Lawn clippings.
  • Pitted fruits.
  • Bread.
  • Potatoes and other nightshades.
  • Yogurt or other milk products.

Can molasses cause hives in horses?

We often find that Barley, Molasses and Alfalfa are ingredients that can cause unwanted reactions in some horses.

What are the foods that horses should avoid?

8 Foods You Should Never Feed to Your Horse

  • Chocolate. Just like dogs, horses are sensitive to the chemical theobromine which is found in the cocoa which is used to make chocolate.
  • Persimmons.
  • Avocado.
  • Lawn Clippings.
  • Fruit with Pips and Stones.
  • Bread.
  • Potatoes and Other Nightshades.
  • Yogurt and Other Dairy Products.

Can molasses cause allergic reaction?

Allergies due to molasses are pretty rare. However, some people may experience hives, stomach issues, or difficulty breathing after taking molasses.

What is molasses allergy?

Molasses is often added in the making of brown sugar, so molasses allergies may also be spotted after eating brown sugar products. If you suspect any symptoms of a molasses allergy, such as hives, stomach issues, swelling, or trouble breathing, contact your doctor.

Is molasses inflammatory?

The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant nature of molasses makes it an excellent ingredient to help curing conditions such as neuralgia and rheumatism, and these properties in blackstrap molasses ease the discomfort and symptoms of arthritis by reducing swelling, joint inflammation, and pain.

Can molasses cause laminitis in horses?

Horses prone to Laminitis and related conditions should not be fed anything other than a feed guaranteed to be very low in NSC. There are a number of contributors which cause an unwanted high NSC and molasses is a major role player amongst them and should best be avoided.

Can Laminitic horses have molasses?

A high fibre, low starch and low sugar diet is essential for laminitics, so avoid feeds that contain cereals or molasses.

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Categories: Horse