How to feed horses with skin allergies

Normal skin one day, bumpy the next? Your horse could be suffering from an allergy. Allergies can be frustratingly hard to settle. Identifying the cause of your horse's allergy and selecting the best treatment isn't always straight forward. Read our allergy guide for tips on how to get your horse's allergies under control.

What is an allergy and what causes them in horses?

An allergy is an exaggerated response from the immune system to a substance in the environment, called an allergen. Horses can become allergic to things they eat, inhale and touch or through insect bite hypersensitivity. Horses that react to insect bites and other skin allergens may develop hives, itching, hair loss, scaling and crusting of the skin and eventually whitening of hairs and thickening of skin in the affected areas.

Why do some horses get allergies and not others?

Certain individuals and horse breeds are more allergy-prone than others. The allergic response in these horses may become worse with each encounter, since the horses body is already sensitized. The two primary responses in horses to an allergic reaction either provoke skin sensitivities or respiratory problems. Skin allergies occur predominantly though the contact with allergens. Ingested allergens can manifest themselves as either or both skin sensitivities or respiratory problems.

An allergy can decrease performance, be painful, unsightly and can be expensive to diagnose and treat. Secondary issues such as bacterial infections and self-inflicted trauma like tail rubbing can also become an issue. Skin allergies most commonly occur in spring, summer and early autumn, due to allergic reactions to insect bites.

(Image above: Just a quick scratch? Or is it a persistent itch?)

Horses and hives

Allergies that manifest themselves as skin related issues cause swellings in the skin. This condition is called urticaria and the bumps are called hives or welts. These raised lumps may be one-third to one inch or more in diameter and often appear in clusters. The bumps are due to dilation of the small blood vessels (capillaries) near the skins surface, which is part of the body’s response to the offending substance. The slow escape of a liquid or gas through porous material or small holes from the damaged capillaries results in the skin swellings.

There is usually no itching with hives, unless the problem is caused by allergy to insect bites or stings. The bumps develop suddenly after the horse comes into contact with the offending allergen. If you happen to be with the horse, you can actually see the fairly firm bumps growing as you watch. They usually pop up rather symmetrically on both sides of the body and sometimes on the head and neck. Hives can be caused by a reaction to insect bites or stings, or contact with stinging plants that the horse is sensitive to, or can be caused by eating weeds or plants that produce the allergic reaction. Plant pollens or poisons may also trigger a case of hives.

As the liver is the body’s main filter and detoxification unit, the degree or severity of an allergic reaction may be affected by liver impairment. Horses with impaired liver function tend to have more problems with allergic reactions or photosensitization.

How are allergies diagnosed in horses?

The first step in diagnosing an allergy’s source requires two different tests.

1. In the intradermal skin test, the veterinarian will inject minuscule amounts of allergen in the skin and monitor the reactions over a 24-hour period.
2. Blood testing is much more prevalent and involves testing the blood with different allergens to see which ones cause a reaction. Sometimes an allergy test will be conducted and the horses will show sensitivities to everything. Level of sensitivity must then be ascertained in order to move forward in developing a management strategy for the horse.

It should be noted that it is not possible to cure allergies but simply manage them.

How to manage allergies in horses

Careful management is the best weapon against skin allergies, attempting to minimize the horses’ reactions by protecting him from exposure to the things that set off his allergies.

For a horse that is affected by flies and biting insects, the use of fly repellents, keeping him indoors during the worst times for insect bites, or using a light sheet to protect his body can be helpful. But if a horse continually develops hives or other symptoms in spite of all your precautions, you may have to treat the horse with steroids every second or third day to help clear up the allergy and alleviate the discomfort. Daily dosing with steroids is not recommended, since this may have harmful side effects over time, such as damaging the adrenal glands or compromising the immune system.

(Image above: Full body sheets can help provide a barrier between biting insects and the horse)

Other options for managing allergies in horses can include some nutritional options. Omega 3 fatty acids help synthesize hormones and transport oxygen from red blood cells to tissue, control inflammation and boost immune function. Omega 3 fatty acid deficiencies in humans and animals symptoms include hair loss, skin problems and impaired immune and reproductive function.

Need help with your horse's diet?

If you’re unsure if your horse's diet supports the health of their immune system, then our team can help. Our Nutrition Advisors offer a free diet analysis that is simple, fast, and accessible to all levels and disciplines of horse owners. The team will review their current diet, considering all of their lifestyle and lifestage factors, and provide a diet plan that will help them look and feel their best for years to come. Visit nutrikey.com.au or reach out to nutrition@hygain.com.au