What Causes Horse Allergic Reaction?

Allergic reactions in horses can be caused by a wide range of things such as food, pollen, dust, insect bites, moulds, grass, trees, injections and grooming products, such as shampoos.

What does an allergic reaction look like in horses?

The most common types of allergic reactions in horses show up in the skin or respiratory system. In the skin, you may notice your horse vigorously itching an area or overcome with hives. For a respiratory reaction, your horse may begin coughing, sneezing or wheezing, but without nasal discharge.

What do you give a horse for an allergic reaction?

If you think that your horse is having an anaphylactic reaction, seek emergency veterinary assistance immediately. A veterinarian can give intravenous injections of epinephrine and other medications to counteract the reaction. Treatment for related problems, such as respiratory distress, may also be needed.

How common is horse allergy?

Horse allergies affect as many as 5% of people with allergies. 1 Horse dander is able to travel long distances in the air and has been found hundreds of yards away from horse stables.

Can horse allergy be cured?

Treatments include: Immunotherapy. Also known as allergy shots, this treatment involves exposing you to small doses of horse allergens to allow your body to adjust. Over time, the dose is increased until your body is less likely to react when you’re around a horse.

How do you treat a horse with allergies naturally?

Flaxseed is one of the highest natural vegetable sources of Omega 3 fatty acids. It helps reduce immune response to common allergens and has been shown to reduce inflammation caused by Culicoides. As an oral supplement, horses tolerate ground stabilized flaxseed well.

Can horses be allergic to hay?

Keep in mind that if a horse has an allergy to a certain hay species, they are likely to have an allergy to the same species in the pasture. Also, some horses develop multiple allergies and can become allergic to pollen in the grasses and in the trees surrounding the pasture.

How do you test a horse for allergies?

There are two tests currently available for food allergy testing in horses: intradermal testing (known as a skin-prick test) and a blood test that measures a specific protein, or antibody, called immunoglobulin E.

What plants can cause hives in horses?

Common pasture plants causing irritation:

• Conyza canedensis (Horseweed/Fleabane)
• Euphorbia esula (Leafy spurge)
• Juniperus occidentalis (Western juniper)
• Ranunculus spp. (Buttercup)
• Vicia villosa (Wooly vetch)

Are horses allergic to any food?

Whilst your horse can develop a negative reaction to anything in their diet, there are some food groups that have been reported to provoke more allergies. These include wheat and feed additives, oats, potatoes, barley and bran.

What are most horses allergic to?

Some common allergens and irritants for horses include:

• Insect bites (particularly Culicoides flies also called midges or no-see-ums)
• Dust.
• Pollen.
• Mold.
• Bedding.
• Topical products and ointments.
• Vaccinations.

How long does an allergic reaction to hay last?

Hay fever will last for weeks or months, unlike a cold, which usually goes away after 1 to 2 weeks.

How long does hay allergy last?

Allergies occur at the same time every year and last as long as the allergen is in the air (usually 2-3 weeks per allergen). Allergies cause itching of the nose and eyes along with other nasal symptoms.

What foods are toxic to horses?

What Foods & Plants are Poisonous to Horses?

• Caffeine. While tiny amounts of caffeine probably won’t hurt your horse, you should still avoid giving him any foods that have caffeine in it.
• Avocado.
• Fruits with Stones (or Pits)
• Cauliflower, Cabbage, Broccoli.
• Bran Products.
• Potatoes.
• Rhubarb.
• Meat Products.

What does a hay allergy look like?

True hay fever rashes cause red, raised welt-like bumps called hives. Hives are extremely itchy and can occur anywhere on the body. They can range in size from as small as a pencil eraser to larger than several inches across. Hives can also occur along with swelling of the skin (angioedema ).

Are horse allergies genetic?

This is an inherited condition; affected horses are genetically programmed to develop IgE against environmental allergens; exposure to these allergens may lead to the development of skin or respiratory tract disease. Clinical signs are similar to those seen with other allergic diseases.

What weeds are horses allergic to?

Weeds: Onions/garlic, ground ivy, milkweed, bracken fern, cocklebur, horsetail, white snakeroot, St. Johns wort, star-of-Bethlehem, sorghum/sudangrass, yellow sweet clover, blue-green algae, bouncing bet, larkspur, mayapple, skunk cabbage. Trees: Black locust, oak (green acorns), horse chestnut, boxwood, holly.

How do I know if my horse has hives?

Clinical Signs of Hives (Urticaria)
They may appear anywhere from a few minutes to several hours after exposure to the causative agent, or in some cases may not occur until a couple of days after exposure. Hives appear as raised, round, flat-topped bumps that may vary in size from 0.5 to 8 inches.

What is the most toxic plant to horses?

Nine poisonous plants horses should avoid

• Ragwort. While ragwort has a bitter taste and is rarely eaten by horses when it is growing, when it is wilted or dried it becomes more palatable.
• Foxglove.
• Deadly nightshade.
• Buttercups.
• Acorns.
• Yew.
• Privet.
• Rhododendron.

What do horse hives look like?

Hives, horse
They are raised, round, flat-topped, and 0.5 to 8 inches (1 to 20 centimeters) in diameter; they may be slightly depressed in the center. Hives can develop on any part of the body but occur mainly on the back, flanks, neck, eyelids, and legs.

What fruits are horses allergic to?

Treats: apples, carrots and peppermints all carry the potential for allergic reactions in a horse. These can often be overlooked when investigating an intolerance so it is important to include them when discussing your horse’s feed with a nutritionist.