Pollen Alert! How to Protect Your Horse from Summer Allergies

The peak grass pollen season aligns with grazing time, making it particularly challenging. Additionally, tree pollens, particularly from birch, alder, and hazel, can trigger allergic reactions in horses.

Recognizing Symptoms: Signs of Seasonal Allergies in Horses

Unlike humans, horses often don’t sneeze when they have pollen allergies. Instead, typical symptoms include:

• Coughing: A dry cough, especially after grazing or physical activity.
• Nasal discharge: Clear, watery or mucous discharge from the nostrils.
• Breathing Difficulty: Accelerated breathing, flared nostrils, or labored breathing in severe cases.
• Eye Inflammation: Red, watery, or sticky eyes.
• Itchiness: Frequent rubbing of the nostrils, face, or eyes.
• Fatigue: The horse tires more easily and may be less willing to exercise.

First Aid for Acute Symptoms: Immediate Relief for Your Horse

• Call the Vet: If your horse has breathing difficulties or a severe cough, consult your veterinarian.
• Bring Indoors: Move your horse from the pasture to a dust-free stable.
• Clear Airways: Ensure fresh air, and consider using damp cloths or an inhaler to soothe their airways.
• Medication: Your vet may prescribe medications like corticosteroids or antihistamines to control the allergic reaction.

Long-Term Strategies: Preventing Pollen Allergies

Optimized Stable Setup:

• Pasture management: Allow grazing in the early morning or late evening when pollen levels are lower.
• Alternatives to pasture: On high pollen days, consider paddocks or stable runs instead of pastures.

Dust-Free Forage:

• Dust-free hay: Make sure you feed dust-free hay or haylage.
• Herbal Support: Certain herbal blends can help support respiratory health.

Desensitization:

In persistent cases, a desensitization (hyposensitization) treatment might be recommended by your vet, gradually exposing the horse to allergens to reduce sensitivity.