If you’re one of the 50 million Americans who struggle with allergies each year, you may wonder, could my horse have the same problem?
The short answer is yes, many horses do have allergies. Signs of respiratory allergies in horses can include:
- Dry cough
- Nasal discharge
- Runny eyes
- Wheezing
- Increased respiratory rate when exercised
Unfortunately, respiratory allergies can affect your horse’s performance ability and comfort level. He’s not going to be able to relax for the ride or focus on training if he’s coughing or can’t breathe normally.
Just like humans, some horses suffer seasonal allergies due to pollen, mold, and specific plants or grasses, but allergic reactions can also be triggered by issues in the horse’s environment.
Stabling conditions are often to blame, including:
- poor barn ventilation
- ammonia fumes
- bedding
- dust
- fungal and mold spores in hay
Dust and airborne particulates from arena footing can also irritate the respiratory system when horses are exercised indoors. You can reduce the number of particulates inhaled by your horse by dampening the arena surface unless it’s a synthetic footing that doesn’t require dampening.
Finding Answers
Schedule a veterinarian visit to rule out any serious issues if your horse is coughing frequently has an increased respiratory rate, and/or nasal discharge.
Look closely at your horse’s environment and make any necessary changes to stabling, bedding, and hay if your veterinarian thinks these are contributing to your horse’s respiratory issues.
If seasonal allergies are to blame, Cough Free Equine Respiratory Health Pellets can help your horse be more comfortable through the season. The product is also helpful for those horses who are stabled most of the time and have limited turn-out options.
Farnam, Cough Free Equine Respiratory Health Pellets, 1.75 lb
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Cough-Free Equine Respiratory Health Pellets contain a blend of natural herbs and minerals that support normal respiratory function. The pelleted formula makes Cough Free easy to feed, and horses eat it readily. Just follow the label directions and add to your horse’s daily grain ration.
If you know seasonal allergies are a problem with your horse, start using Cough Free Equine Respiratory Health Pellets before the season begins and he starts showing signs of allergies. Then continue feeding the pellets throughout the season.
Feed Program
To avoid respiratory issues caused by forage, make sure you’re feeding quality hay that isn’t dusty, and that your hay storage conditions don’t contribute to mold and mildew.
To feel confident that your horse is receiving balanced nutrition in his daily diet consider feeding Farnam’s Vita Plus Balanced Multi-Vitamin & Mineral Supplement.
Farnam Vita Plus Balanced Multi-Vitamin & Mineral Supplement, 3.75 lb.
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Supplementation of vitamins and minerals is especially important for “easy keeper” horses who need little or no grain to maintain their weight. These horses often need nothing but quality forage (pasture and/or hay) and a scientifically balanced vitamin and mineral supplement to stay in good body condition.
In addition, adequate water consumption is crucial to keep any horse healthy. Look at your horse’s water sources and be sure they are clean, cool, and available 24/7.
To encourage drinking, you may want to add electrolytes to your feed routine. A product like Apple Elite Electrolyte Pellets promotes water consumption and can be used year-round.
Apple Elite Electrolyte Pellets 7.5lb
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Unlike powdered electrolytes that some horses “sort” out and leave at the bottom of the feed tub, this pelleted formula is convenient to feed, and horses find it tasty.
Insect Allergy Concerns
Some horses struggle with insect allergies rather than respiratory allergies. For these horses, certain insect bites can cause extreme itching and raw, inflamed skin. Some horses develop such a strong allergic reaction that they will rub out entire portions of their mane and/or tail.
Horses can also break out in hives when exposed to a contact allergen. On some occasions, hives can result when a horse eats or inhales something to which he is allergic.
Again, your veterinarian’s expertise can confirm the exact cause of skin allergies. Fighting these problematic pests often includes the vigilant use of on-horse repellents.
Good choices include Farnam’s, and Mosquito Halt. In addition to mosquitoes, the spray is effective against several fly species as well as gnats, mites, chiggers and more.
Farnam Mosquito Halt Repellent Spray for Horses, 32 oz.
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A fly mask is recommended to protect horses with insect allergies or those who are overly sensitive to flies. Keep insects from biting and irritating the horse’s ears by choosing a mask that has mesh ears like Farnam’s SuperMask II.
Farnam, SuperMask II Horse Fly Mask with Ears
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In addition to repellents and fly masks, fly sheets and/or fly boots can also be helpful for some horses.
Management Practices
Sometimes it just takes looking at your horse-keeping practices from a different angle to make helpful changes that can address allergy issues.
For example, horses with extreme insect allergies may benefit from being stalled and under a fan during the time of day when those insects are most active.
Horses with respiratory allergies should be taken out of the barn completely when stalls are being cleaned, not just moved to another stall.
Studies show that cleaning stalls greatly raises dust and particulate levels in the barn because of tossing and sifting bedding to separate manure and soiled areas. Those levels become even higher when blowers are used to clean barn aisles.
Removing the allergic horse from the barn during cleaning chores will keep him from inhaling anything that will irritate his respiratory system.
Dealing with equine allergies can be a challenge but it’s very doable. Follow your veterinarian’s advice, be aware of the right products that can help, and use smart management practices to reduce allergens in your horse’s environment. Want to learn more about animal health options we carry? Browse our website or stop into your local Wilco Farm Store for more options.
