Can alfalfa make horses itchy?

We often find that Barley, Molasses and Alfalfa are ingredients that can cause unwanted reactions in some horses. For some horses, allergies and intolerances can take weeks, months or years to develop, meaning that their once favourite food could begin to cause unwanted and adverse reactions.

How do I know if my horse is allergic to alfalfa?

Symptoms including itchiness, over-excitable or irritable behaviour and loose droppings are often described as allergies by horse owners and are attributed to various different ingredients including molasses and alfalfa.

Can horses be allergic to alfalfa hay?

Food allergies are extremely rare in horses, says Dr. White. Your horse is more apt to be allergic to dust in his alfalfa hay than to the hay itself. Drug reactions can produce symptoms ranging from hives to anaphylaxis.

Does alfalfa cause allergic reaction?

Regardless of its medicinal uses, alfalfa can still elicit an allergic reaction in some. Sensitivities to the plant are not common, but if you're allergic to other plant foods, you should consume alfalfa cautiously. Allergic reactions to the plant could vary from eyes and lungs to gastrointestinal distress.

How do I know if my horse is allergic to hay?

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.

Ask the Vet - Why you shouldn't feed alfalfa exclusively

What can I feed my itchy horse?

How to feed your Sweet Itch Horse. Research has documented that sweet itch in horses can be supported by feeding high levels of omega-3 fatty acids which can reduce the reaction to the midges. Flax (micronised linseed) 450 grams per day is the goal.

What is sweet itch in horses?

Sweet Itch is a skin disease (sometimes called summer itch or seasonal allergic dermatitis) and is caused by an allergy to the saliva of certain biting flies or midges (e.g., Culicoides spp.).

What is the best antihistamine for horses?

Antihistamines are often prescribed for the allergic horse as a safer alternative to steroids for longer term control of symptoms. The most common antihistamine we choose is hydroxyzine, but other options include doxepin, amitriptyline, chlorpheniramine, and diphenhydramine.

Can horses be allergic to hay?

Horses can also develop food allergies, although documented cases are rare. For example, there are reports that certain types of grains or hay have caused hives in horses.

What causes hives in horses?

The most common causes of hives in horses are insect bites or stings, medications, and exposure to allergens. Other potential causes include vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels of the skin), food allergy, ringworm.

How do you treat horse skin allergies?

Symptomatic treatments to control the itch in the short-term may be needed, and may include topical cortisone, soothing shampoos and conditioners, fatty acids, and oral (Prednisolone) or injectable (dexamethasone) forms of cortisone.

What to feed a horse that is allergic to hay?

Feeding hay cubes or pellets that are commercially available and generally lower in dust and fine particles is another option. Processed hay cubes and pellets are made from coarsely chopped dry hay that is compressed into a cube or pellet shape.

Can horses be allergic to Lucerne?

Symptoms can be gastrointestinal, dermatologic or both. Diet items reported to cause adverse food reactions in horses include lucerne, barley, beet pulp, bran, buckwheat, chicory, clover, malt, oats, potatoes, St.

How do you treat sweet itch in horses?

Management of Sweet Itch in Horses

Regular application of insect repellents, use of fly sheets or rugs and stabling during times of high midge activity (dawn and dusk). Some people have success with the longer lasting pour on insect repellents like Deosect®. DEET is effective but can cause soreness.

What is the most common allergies for horses?

Insect bites By far the most prevalent equine allergy is hypersensitivity to the saliva from insect bites. The most severe form of this allergy is sweet itch (also known as summer itch and equine insect hypersensitivity), a reaction to tiny biting midges (Culicoides spp.).

Can you give Benadryl to horses?

Diphenhydramine (brand name: Benadryl®, Vetadryl®, Banophen®, Genahist®, Diphenhist®, Unisom®, Sominex ®) is an antihistamine used in cats, dogs, ferrets and other small mammals, birds, horses, and cattle to treat allergic reactions, motion sickness, and vomiting.

Can Apple cider vinegar help with sweet itch?

Give the horse apple cider vinegar or garlic.

You might also be able to help prevent sweet itch by feeding your horse certain foods. The idea is to change the smell of the horse's sweat so that midges aren't attracted – and won't bite.

What time of year do horses get sweet itch?

In the UK insects that cause sweet itch are the midge (Culicoides) and potentially the black fly (Simulium). Horses are most commonly affected between March – November when the biting insects are most active.

Can horses grow out of sweet itch?

Unfortunately there is no treatment for the sweet itch. By this I means that you can't completely cure you horse. There is however a preventive treatment which will allow you to act before the first troubles at spring and a symptomatic treatment which will treat the symptoms of the disease (but not its cause!).

What causes horses to scratch?

Scratches often occurs in horses exposed to moisture for a long time such as a muddy field or wet stall. Constant moisture can irritate delicate skin and cause inflammation, redness and ulcers. Coupled with mud or dirty surroundings, makes it ideal for bacteria or fungi to invade.

What makes a horse scratch?

Racehorses get scratched from races because of injuries or sickness, changes in track conditions, and even starting position. Additionally, trainers or owners might scratch a horse because they don't like the competition or feel their horse may get claimed. There are many reasons to scratch a racehorse from a race.

Can you give a horse too much lucerne?

Therefore, adding the Lucerne will increase potassium levels – they will skyrocket and this can cause an imbalance in the nutrition. As a result, your horse may become restricted from performing everyday regular activities. An additional problem with Lucerne is the great level of phytoestrogen content.

What does a horse allergy look like?

Common allergy symptoms include nasal congestion, runny nose, itchy eyes, skin irritation, digestive problems and, in serious cases, a life-threatening immune reaction called anaphylaxis. Another symptom of allergies can be mild wheezing, a whistling sound that's made when you breathe.

What gets rid of hives fast?

Apply a cold compress, such as ice cubes wrapped in a washcloth, to the itchy skin several times a day—unless cold triggers your hives. Use anti-itch medication that you can buy without a prescription, such as an antihistamine or calamine lotion.

What helps hives go away?

The standard treatment for hives and angioedema is antihistamines that don't make you drowsy. These medications reduce itching, swelling and other allergy symptoms. They're available in nonprescription and prescription formulations.