In theory horses can be allergic to a range of different ingredients including alfalfa. Horses may be allergic to a particular protein in an ingredient which could trigger an immune reaction which means the ingredient should be avoided.
How to treat hay allergy in horses?
Treatment of Hay Allergy in Horses. Ideally, this is best accomplished by increasing turn out time and feeding your horse grasses and other substitutes for hay. Substitutes for hay include alfalfa pellets, alfalfa cubes, denji, and senior feeds. Hay has high levels of dust and molds, even if it appears clean.
Does alfalfa make a horse hot?
If you feed it to a horse that’s locked up, it may get antsy, but if you regularly work your horse, feeding alfalfa won’t make it hot. Does alfalfa cause colic in horses? Alfalfa is rich and can cause colic in some horses. It is always a best practice to make changes to horses’ diet gradually and introduce alfalfa by feeding it with grass hay.
Why does alfalfa hay smell bad for horses?
The abundant protein converts to ammonia and, along with the excess calcium, pass through the kidneys as urine. A horse continuing on a diet of only alfalfa hay would become obese and produce a lot of ammonia-smelling urine. The best method is to feed alfalfa as a supplement with grass hay.
Can alfalfa cause colic in horses?
Alfalfa is rich and can cause colic in some horses. It is always a best practice to make changes to horses’ diet gradually and introduce alfalfa by feeding it with grass hay. Can alfalfa cause diarrhea in horses?
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Are some horses allergic to alfalfa?
In theory horses can be allergic to a range of different ingredients including alfalfa. Horses may be allergic to a particular protein in an ingredient which could trigger an immune reaction which means the ingredient should be avoided.
What are signs of allergies in horses?
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.
Does alfalfa hay cause allergies?
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.
Can alfalfa cause hives in horses?
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.
What do you feed a horse with allergies?
Diets that provide necessary nutrients to maintain body condition and fuel for the performance horse might include alfalfa hay, a vitamin/mineral supplement such as Free Balance® 12:12 Mineral, grain (oats/barley/corn) for energy, oil for added calories, some beet pulp to hold it together and, if a soy-free source of ...
What do you give a horse with allergies?
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.
What are the side effects of alfalfa?
Alfalfa leaves are POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults. However, taking alfalfa seeds long-term is LIKELY UNSAFE. Alfalfa seed products may cause reactions that are similar to the autoimmune disease called lupus erythematosus. Alfalfa might also cause some people's skin to become extra sensitive to the sun.
Which hay is best for allergies?
While many veterinarians recommend Timothy Hay as the best type of hay, Orchard Grass is a good substitute if you or your rabbit have issues with Timothy Hay.
Does alfalfa help allergies?
There are claims that alfalfa may help allergies, thyroid problems, blood and liver toxicity, asthma, and how the pituitary works. It's also said to reduce the risk of heart attacks. It may also help with an inflamed prostate, rheumatoid arthritis, stomach problems, and diabetes.
Why is my horse itchy?
Itching is a sign, not a diagnosis or specific disease. The most common causes of itching are parasites, infections, and allergies. There are many skin diseases that do not initially cause itching; however, itching may develop because of secondary bacterial or yeast infections.
Can a horse be allergic to feed?
Food allergy in horses is rare and extremely difficult to diagnose. This is confounded by allergy tests that often show hypersensitivity to something the horse commonly eats. Clinical signs of food allergy include hives, itchiness, and possible self-trauma due to scratching.
How do you treat respiratory allergies in horses?
The most effective way of reducing airborne spores and particles within hay for horses with asthma, is to steam it using a specifically designed forage steamer. Steaming in this way has been shown to reduce respirable particles by 98% whilst retaining the hygiene quality of the hay.
How do you treat a horse with pollen allergies?
The problem can be reduced by keeping the stable as dust free as possible, soaking the hay in water before feeding, storing the hay away from the horses stable and allowing as much fresh air into the stable as possible.
What causes COPD in horses?
The causes of COPD in horses have not all been worked out, although allergies and chronic respiratory infections have been strongly implicated. Most likely, the disease begins with irritants such as dust and mold causing a hypersensitivity type of allergic reaction in the small airways of the lungs. Immune cells infiltrate the area, damaging the lining of the small airways of the lungs, and stimulating mucus production and bronchoconstriction. These constricted small airways of the lungs cause the horse to have to work harder in order to breathe, especially on expiration. "Horses that have had this disease for a long time develop thickening of the abdominal muscles used on expiration, producing the characteristic 'heave line' on the sides of the horse's belly near the flank. Other signs seen in long-term cases include a white nasal discharge and a chronic cough not associated with sickness that is worse in the morning, while eating, or with exercise. Horses that are just developing COPD may only exhibit mild exercise intolerance or an intermittent cough.
What if the vet doesn't find anything?
If the vet didn't find anything it's probably allergies though I don't know why the vet wouldn't say that. Obviously if they are coughing there is SOME reason.#N#Is there any possible irritant in the air?#N#I would try both of them on Tri-Hist.
What are the symptoms of a horse with allergies?
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. But can horses have allergies? Are they truly allergic reactions and if so, how do we best manage them?
Why do horses have sugar allergies?
Molasses is often said to be the cause of allergies and because it has a high sugar content horse owners assume that all sugar is going to have the same effect. This is not the case as sugar is present in all commonly used plant materials for horses such as grass, cereals, alfalfa and sugar beet, albeit at low levels. If a horse was allergic to sugar there would literally be nothing they could eat.
Why do horses have bumps?
This is a very common misunderstanding often due to the fact that some allergic conditions in horses such as urticaria are also called protein bumps. An allergy is not caused by the amount of protein found within the diet, but instead by a specific allergen, which is a specific type of protein, found in some foods.
What is a food allergy?
A food allergy is defined as “an immune-mediated adverse reaction to food”. In practice this means that the body has a reaction to a food which would normally not cause a problem for most individuals. Food allergies are triggered by allergens such as specific proteins found in some foods.
Can horses eat alfalfa?
Symptoms such as grumpiness or loose droppings are more likely to be due to an intolerance which is often correlated to the amount of an ingredient that is fed. For example, some people say they can’t feed Alfa-A to their horse because it contains alfalfa but are using Hi-Fi which contains around 45% alfalfa, without problems. As avoiding some commonly used ingredients altogether can be tricky, it is advisable to differentiate between an allergic reaction and an intolerance in the first instance and then determine whether the horse can cope with smaller amounts in their ration.
Can you be allergic to cereal?
It is possible for some individuals to be allergic to cereal grains as some are known allergenic foods and this may result in symptoms such as urticaria and itchy skin . Rice is often referred to as hypoallergenic and so may be a suitable alternative to other cereals.
Is food intolerance a reaction?
In contrast to an allergy, food intolerance is a non-immune mediated adverse reaction to food. This type of reaction does not involve the immune system and tends to illicit milder symptoms than a food allergy. An example would be lactose intolerance in humans.
How much protein is in alfalfa?
Alfalfa contains anywhere from 14% protein on the low end to a whopping 25% or more protein for dairy grade. As well, it is largely made up of a form of fiber called lignin which is not digestible.
What is Alfalfa good for?
THREE BENEFITS OF FEEDING ALFALFA TO HORSES: 1 Alfalfa is a high protein forage, so it makes an excellent supplement for horses that are protein deficient or for horses that have higher protein requirements such as senior horses or pregnant or lactating mares. Protein is essential for both the growth and repair of muscles, bone, cartilage, skin, hair, and blood. It is also necessary for the production of enzymes, hormones, and antibodies. 2 Alfalfa is nutritionally dense. It contains high levels of calcium, as well as magnesium, potassium, iron, phosphorus, lysine, vitamin C, vitamin K, and folic acid. 3 Alfalfa helps slow down sugar absorption into the blood. This can make it a useful dietary addition to the feed for metabolic horses if they can tolerate it. It can also benefit performance horses whose blood sugar is fluctuating due to increased physical demands.
What happens if you feed a horse too much protein?
Feeding more protein than your horse requires can result in gastric indigestion as well as fermentation and putrefaction in the hindgut. This can contribute to leaky gut and will create too much ammonia which is toxic to the liver and kidneys if accumulated in excess amounts.
Is alfalfa good for horses?
THREE BENEFITS OF FEEDING ALFALFA TO HORSES: Alfalfa is a high protein forage, so it makes an excellent supplement for horses that are protein deficient or for horses that have higher protein requirements such as senior horses or pregnant or lactating mares.
Does alfalfa cause calcium to be removed?
Too much alfalfa requires a lot of calcium to buffer the acidic metabolites from protein metabolism. If there is not enough calcium available, the body will remove calcium from the bones, joints, and muscles. In addition, alfalfa can overstimulate the pituitary gland.
Does Alfalfa help with sugar absorption?
It contains high levels of calcium, as well as magnesium, potassium, iron, phosphorus, lysine, vitamin C, vitamin K, and folic acid. Alfalfa helps slow down sugar absorption into the blood. This can make it a useful dietary addition to the feed for metabolic horses if they can tolerate it.
Can horses eat alfalfa hay?
High protein feeds, including alfalfa hay, should ONLY be fed when required as a supplement to improve protein levels; but should never be used as a primary staple or to replace grass hay. However, horses are not anatomically designed to metabolize large amounts of protein. They are designed to ferment fibre!
Q: What horses benefit from alfalfa in their diets?
Alfalfa is a great hay for some but not all horses, says Krishona Martinson, MS, PhD, professor and equine extension specialist in the University of Minnesota’s Department of Animal Science, in St. Paul.
Q: Can horses also graze alfalfa with the same benefits?
Horses can graze legume pastures and obtain the same nutritional benefits as they would eating legume hay. In a pasture setting, says Martinson, horses can graze alfalfa in pure stands or in mixtures with grasses, as is more common.
Take-Home Message
Alfalfa’s positive attributes make it an exceptional roughage source for many types of horses. When fed and managed properly, horses can benefit from alfalfa’s high nutritive value, and you can find it in a variety of convenient, consistent forms.
How long before work can you give horses alfalfa?
You might offer performance horses alfalfa an hour or two before work or competition, during which acid can splash up into the nonglandular part of the stomach (where the cells of the lining do not produce protective mucus). The simple act of chewing creates more saliva, which also helps buffer stomach acid, says Lea.
What weeds grow in alfalfa?
Even after you’ve selected good hay, it pays to check it for dust, mold, weeds, foreign objects, blister beetles, and dead animals as you feed it. Poisonous weeds that sometimes grow in alfalfa fields include ragwort, groundsels, Johnson grass, Sudangrass, water hemlock, and hoary alyssum.
What is the best food for horses with insulin resistance?
We know that for horses sensitive to sugar or carbohydrates (e.g., horses with insulin resistance, pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, etc.), building a diet on a good foundation of forage is especially important—the oats, corn, and barley that make up many feeds are 55-75% carbohydrate. Some grass hays are also too high in sugar ...
What insects kill horses?
These flying insects—dead or alive—contain the toxin cantharidin, which can kill a horse if consumed in large amounts. Blister beetles feed on alfalfa blossoms and might swarm fields during harvest. Beetles killed by the haying equipment can end up in the hay.
Why do horses have a high potassium level?
These horses are affected by hyperkalemia, or an excessive amount of potassium in the blood, which causes their muscles to contract more readily than normal and makes them susceptible to sporadic episodes of muscle tremors or paralysis. These horses are particularly sensitive to alfalfa’s high potassium content.
Why does my horse have a urine smell?
A horse eating more protein than the body can use will also drink more water (to help flush out the additional waste products). This creates more urine and, thus, more ammonia odor. “Ammonia in stalls can irritate airways and make horses susceptible to respiratory problems,” says Duren.
When did alfalfa grow in the US?
By contrast, when settlers brought alfalfa west in the 1800s during the California Gold Rush to grow livestock feed, it did quite well. “Use of alfalfa grew rapidly in the western U.S. as people realized it fit well with that climate” and less-acidic soil types, says Smith.
Why shouldn't horses eat alfalfa?
However, feeding alfalfa to young horses is tricky because too much protein causes bone growth abnormalities.
Why is alfalfa grown on farms?
It’s typically grown on farms for livestock consumption and as a soil conditioner. When making hay, the plant is harvested and cured before it reaches the flowering stage. If the alfalfa plant is harvested too late, it becomes difficult for horses to digest.
What is the best hay for horses?
Generally alfalfa is a good hay to feed horses, but there are caveats: 1 Don’t overfeed alfalfa 2 Only feed alfalfa if your horse needs extra digestible energy, protein, and calcium
How much protein is in 17.5 pounds of alfalfa hay?
In 17.5 pounds of alfalfa, you get 19.25 mega calories of digestible energy, 3.62 pounds of crude protein, and .24 pounds of calcium. Alfalfa clearly provides more than the daily recommended amounts for all three.
How much energy does a horse need?
For example, an average-sized horse in light work needs approximately 18.4 mega calories daily of digestible energy, 1.4 pounds of crude proteins, and 27 grams of calcium. In 17.5 pounds of grass, hay provides 15.75 mega calories of digestible energy, 14 pounds of crude protein, and 39 grams of calcium.
How much does a horse eat?
As I stated earlier, a 1,000-pound horse eats about two percent of its body weight in grass or grass hay. If a horse ate two percent of its body weight in alfalfa, the excessive calories converted to fat. The abundant protein converts to ammonia and, along with the excess calcium, pass through the kidneys as urine.
Is alfalfa good for horses?
Alfalfa is not good for all horses. There are some downsides to feeding some horses alfalfa hay. You need to know the risks before deciding whether or not it’s safe for your horse to eat this type of forage. Like I mentioned above, alfalfa is good for working horses, but the opposite is true for non-working horses.
How to treat food allergies in horses?
Providing horses with clean, dust-free hay and a low-intake vitamin mineral pellet is the basis for the new feeding program.
What causes bumps on horses skin?
A contact allergic reaction almost always produces bumps on the horse’s skin ranging in size. The eruption of bumps might be seasonal (if plant related) or non-seasonal (topical medications, shampoos, tack cleaners). The distribution of lesions can often give clues to the presence of a contact reaction.
What is the meaning of food allergy?
The term food allergy implies an immunologic reaction to an ingested substance. Not all food allergies are truly allergic in nature. A better term for the condition would be “adverse reaction to food.”. Therefore, for the sake of simplicity, most people use the term food allergy to indicate adverse reactions to food.
What is food allergy?
The term food allergy implies an immunologic reaction to an ingested substance. Not all food allergies are truly allergic in nature. A better term for the condition would be “adverse reaction to food.”. With what seems to be a rise in food allergies in humans, we find ourselves asking, does my horse have a food allergy? ...
What information should be obtained about a horse?
Other information that should be obtained includes previous allergy treatments and response (if any), current treatment and response, insect control measures, intestinal parasite control measures, and any other current/past illnesses.
How long should a horse be on a food trial?
The food trial should be continued for 8 to 12 weeks to see maximal improvement. Most horses with an adverse reaction to food show improvement in clinical signs in 4 to 6 weeks. If clinical improvement is noted, the horse can be challenged with items from its previous diet. One new item should be introduced every week.
Does hay contain pollen?
However, most hay will contain pollen from the grass, as well as a variety of other pollens, dust, etc. For this reason, a change in the type of hay being fed might be recommended. At the very least, the hay should be fed on the ground and lightly misted with water to minimize dust and pollen being inhaled.
Why do horses have allergies to hay?
Causes of Hay Allergy in Horses. An allergic reaction occurs when the immune system of a horse becomes sensitive to a particular allergen, in this case, hay or mold. When your horse is repeatedly exposed to this allergen, his immune system overproduces antibodies to fight it. These antibodies then release extra amounts of histamine, ...
How to treat hay allergy in horses?
Treatment of Hay Allergy in Horses. Based on the results of diagnostic testing, a specifically formulated immunotherapy injection can be made to help desensitize your horse to hay or mold. This will need to be given multiple times, and can take up to a year for results to be apparent, however, some horses will respond more quickly.
What is a horse allergic to?
Horses that suffer an allergy to hay can be allergic to either the hay dust or to the mold that can grow in the hay. Signs of wheezing, sneezing and coughing are indications that your horse is having an allergic ...
Why is my horse breathing so hard?
A respiratory disease can result from an allergic reaction to the hay dust or mold that can constrict the small airways in the lungs. Not only does this produce excessive fluid in the lungs, but it can also thicken the airway walls, which is why an affected horse has difficulty breathing.
What is airborne allergy?
Airborne Allergy. This is an allergic response to the dust produced from hay, or mold spores that are present in the hay. Symptoms of this kind of allergic response include respiratory complaints and skin issues. The presence of mold in the hay also indicates that there may be mycotoxins present, which can cause many additional symptoms, ...
How do you know if your horse has hay allergies?
Signs could begin as mild coughing or a little clear nasal discharge, but over time can progress to difficulties in breathing, especially during exercise. Symptoms of this kind of allergy include:
Why does my horse cough and wheeze?
Signs of wheezing, sneezing and coughing are indications that your horse is having an allergic reaction to airborne dust or mold. Your horse could also suffer a food allergy from eating hay, which can cause diarrhea and weight loss.
