Like us, horses are no strangers to allergies, and unfortunately, this is a problem that seems to be getting worse due to climate change. Longer growing seasons mean more exposure to pollen, plants, and insects that commonly trigger allergies.
Allergies occur when a particular substance causes damage to the immune system. Though the immune system’s job is to protect from harmful irritants, it can become overwhelmed due to environmental toxins or disease, which can cause normally harmless substances to become allergens. This is how new allergies develop seemingly out of nowhere.
Some of the most common allergens for horses include the following:
- Insect bites (especially Culicoides)
- Dust
- Pollen
- Mold
- Stall bedding
- Topical products
- Vaccines
Signs of an Allergic Reaction
Allergies usually result in localized or generalized inflammation. This can occur inside the body or it may occur on the outside, showing up as hives, itching, or hair loss. Allergies commonly affect the lungs and airways, leading to coughing, trouble breathing, or nasal discharge. Gastrointestinal upset can also be the result of allergies.
An allergic reaction can be severe and life-threatening (anaphylaxis), sudden (acute), or have a slower onset (chronic). Anaphylaxis is rare, but appears as sudden, increased respiratory distress, recumbency, and/or shock. This is a medical emergency that requires immediate veterinary attention.
Treating Allergies
In some cases, allergens can’t be avoided. However, making management changes can help minimize your horse’s exposure to many allergens. For instance, dust is prevalent in barns and can cause respiratory allergies for stalled horses. Turning your horse out to pasture may solve the problem. However, keep in mind that feeds and hay can also contain dust, so dietary changes may need to be made as well. Wetting down hay can help many horses.
Conventional veterinary care treats horses with prescription medications—usually corticosteroids. These can be helpful short-term, but they are not a good long-term solution. Holistic veterinarians will try to find the root cause, which often has to do with another health problem that’s causing the immune system to overreact.
The Importance of Nutrition
Nutrition plays an important role in alleviating allergies. Herbs, organic feed ingredients, and probiotics can all be extremely helpful for example. Much of the immune system resides in the gut, so it only makes sense to start there.
ProGuard Probiotics for Horses contains three lactic acid “good” bacteria, which promote healthy digestive function. Probiotics aid in warding off the bad bacteria, preventing them from overtaking the GI tract. Good bacteria also help the body make important B vitamins, while maintaining a strong immune system.
Likewise, an herbal supplement such as Allergex – Allergy Support for Horses can address underlying immune issues and directly address allergic skin processes. This product also has ingredients to assist with respiratory allergies and is show safe.
Finally, omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to decrease inflammation associated with allergies. Organic Flax Seed for Horses is high in healthy omega-3 fatty acids and can be a great choice to ease allergy symptoms—especially for horses that are prone to skin allergies.