Allergy Sufferer

[Lindi]

Has anyone else got a horse who suffers from allergies, there's loads here due to al the crops and sprays the farmers use. My question is how much work should the horse be expected to do? The vet didn't mention anything, so we've been taking things easy. The allergy has only just been diagnosed. The horse had a real bad cough and the vet said she was wheezing. She was really ploddy(VERY VERY unusual for her! ) that's why her owner and I suspected something was wrong, she seems a lot livelier now. We had a bit of a canter last time I took her out but I'm not sure how much is too much. I try and get us out three or four times a week and she's now going to be tried on herbs and all that stuff.

[Lgd]

My friend's elderly gelding has COPD and is a wonderful advert for her meticulous management. He is 21yo and still competing in affiliated dressage.

Stable: rubber mats and dust extracted shavings. No mucking out with him in the stable. Remove cobwebs twice weekly. Very airy stable.

Feeding: soaked hay, Clarity herbal supplement, if snotty or a bit of a cough she gives him the homeopathic remedies Arsen Alb, Rhus tox and Bryonia.

Turn out: all day and in at night. He has a tendency to get very fat so he has to have his grazing restricted. If they can stay out all the time it is better unless it is pollen allergy.
Fly mask will reduce the eye symptoms, and an extended mask that covers the nostrils may also help.

She has had him for 7 years now and in that time he has only required drugs once.

If the horse is coughing or wheezy it is advisable not to ride them or to only ride very gently in walk as any strenuous activity may permanently damage the lungs and can also put excessive strain on the heart. I have seen a horse who was damaged in this way and it is very distressing and expensive to manage.

[kllancaster]

I have a nine year old gelding who hates the rain. But if i bring him in he gets a cough which has been diagnosed by the vet as an allergy to something! the vet gave him sputulosin but it is very expensive. He is on rubber matting with shavings and steamed hay. However the horse nest door is on straw. Does anyone know of herbal remedies which might help. I would love to keep him outside as long as possible but is on his own in the field and gets rather stressed. Help!