Equine Allergies: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention (2023)

Horses live in an environment where they have more chances of being affected by different kinds of allergies. If your equine is experiencing unusual reactions on their skin, coughing or breathing loudly, then they are infected from allergy.

Type of Allergies in Horses:

Like humans, horses suffer from different types of allergies that impact different horses. Following are a few most common types of allergies that can prevail in horses.

1. Skin Allergy:

Skin allergy is most common in horses. It is mainly caused by ingesting food or contact with an irritating substance. Your equine can be allergic to different food substances without any apparent reason, and they can develop at any stage of their life.

2. Respiratory Allergy:

Your horse can also experience coughing, sneezing, or wheezing due to respiratory allergy, resulting in nasal discharge. Respiratory allergies are responsible for asthma in equines. It can also be due to pollen allergy when out for pasture in summer. Exercise intolerance, nasal discharge, and excessive coughing are respiratory allergy symptoms in equine.

3. Cough and Sneezing:

Coughing and sneezing are common in horses, mainly due to respiratory allergies. It will increase nasal discharge and respiratory effort in horses. So if you own a senior horse, such an allergy is more likely.

4. Food Allergies:

A horse can be allergic to a specific food, leading to adverse effects, including skin redness, swelling, itching, and hair loss. If you are not providing good quality hay or it is dusty, it will lead to food allergies.

5. Eye Allergies:

Exposure to allergens, pollen, and dust can cause eye allergies in horses. Conjunctivitis is a common type of eye allergy in horses, primarily experienced in summer months when your equine will experience inflammation in the upper and lower eyelids. Red eyes, green or yellow discharge from eyes, sensitivity to light, dull eyes, and signs of pain and discomfort in eyes are common symptoms of eye allergies.

6. Seasonal Allergies:

In summer and spring, most horses suffer from skin allergies like watery eyes or runny noses. Horses can develop allergies from different pollen and will start showing signs of respiratory allergy, like coughing and sneezing.

7. Air Bone Allergies:

Horses live in an environment where there are more chances to be affected by different air-bone allergies. If your equine faces a high level of dust, allergens in the air, or mold, it will lead to air-bone allergy in them. The horse’s immune system will start fighting such allergies, but more air-bone allergies will affect it badly.

How to Treat Allergies?

After understanding the nature of allergies, it is not difficult to treat them, so the following are a few components of the treatment program for allergic equines.

1. Suitable Environment:

Providing a suitable environment for your equine is the first step of allergy treatment. Reduction of exposure to different allergens and substances in the air will be the best treatment. Provide a dust-free environment to your horse so that it can fight different respiratory allergies easily.

2. Insect Control Protocols:

Insect control protocols will also help you treat allergies in equine. Insect repellents, installing fans in stalls, and removing standing water will help your equine overcome this situation.

3. Good Quality Hay:

Always feed your horse with good quality hay free from dust so that your equine will start recovering from allergies effectively.

4. Natural Supplements:

The inclusion of natural supplements in the diet of horses is one of the best treatments for them. These supplements will boost the horses’ immune systems and help them recover from allergies.

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How to Prevent Seasonal Allergies in Horses?

Seasonal allergies affect equine health badly, so always follow precautionary measures in spring and summer, as these months cause seasonal allergies. Provide a protected environment for your equine with minimum dust and insect appearance.

Add different herbs to your equine’s diet, like garlic and kelp; alfalfa cubes are beneficial in preventing different kinds of seasonal allergies.

Including a natural supplement in the horse’s diet will also help to boost its immune system and fight different kinds of seasonal allergies.

Use of Natural Diet and Supplements:

Using a natural diet and supplements is one of the best ways of keeping your equine safe from any kind of allergy. Add herbs to the equine feed, like kelp, ginger, and alfalfa cubes, to boost their immunity.

Providing high-quality hay is another preventive measure against different kinds of allergens. You should add a natural supplement to your equine’s diet. So we recommend the supplement below as the best guard against allergies.

Equniety Horse XL and Equniety Ultimate OEC:

These two natural products can combine to make the best natural supplement for your horse. It will keep them safe from different allergies and help them get desired health level.

Flaxseed-based omega 3, colloidal silver, natural vitamin E, and 8 different types of amino acids are present in these products that will support the immune function of your equine. The gastric health of your equine will also improve with the help of this natural supplement that will protect them from different allergies. These products have 100% natural ingredients; no starches, filler, soy, or sugar are present.

Conclusion:

Like humans, horses are also affected by different allergies throughout the year. So the best way of treating these allergies is to use preventive measures. Providing an ideal environment free from dust and insects will help them get rid of different allergies. Including natural supplements like Equinety Horse XL and Equinety Ultimate OEC is the best way to treat and prevent different allergies. It will not keep your equine healthy, but being a horse owner will also be very economical for you.