Stinging nettles...what to do?

[Clava]

There probably isn't an answer to this but my TB gets very upset if stinging nettles sting her and they are really hard to avoid along our lanes. Today she got so distressed I had to go back, rethink and came at the lane from another direct just so we didn't leave it on a bad note. Anyone any suggestions??? She's really thin skinned.

[StormBidder]

I didn't actually realise they stung a horse because all of the horses at my old riding school used to be ridden in the woods and they would quite happily take the riders into a bush of stingers and munch on them. Are you sure it's not that she just doesn't like things brushing around her legs?
I hate stingers... thay hurt!

[Clava]

No, she gets nettle rash! so it is the stinging nettles, she has a very fine coat. My neighbour pointed it out to me, she had a horse that did the same.

[montys helper]

my horses eat them. i use to get nettle rash but it wasnt from being stung

[Clava]

my horses eat them. i use to get nettle rash but it wasnt from being stung

When I say nettle rash I mean the little bumps you get when you are stung (not sure about any other sort of nettle rash?)... She does eat thistles....so not a total wuss, but nettles are a real problem when she walks into them.

[montys helper]

When I say nettle rash I mean the little bumps you get when you are stung (not sure about any other sort of nettle rash?)... She does eat thistles....so not a total wuss, but nettles are a real problem when she walks into them.


bless her, iv no idea at all, first iv ever heard of horses being stung by them. when they chopped down and dead they are meant to be a medicen for them as well

[XxXAmeyXxX]

Your not going mad, happens to my horse aswell, I would try and avoid it because it must be so uncomfortable for them or maybe ride through at a brisk trot to get over the worst quickly?

[Clava]

Your not going mad, happens to my horse aswell, I would try and avoid it because it must be so uncomfortable for them or maybe ride through at a brisk trot to get over the worst quickly?

So no riding out until the winter! No, I'm being silly but it is hard to avoid them, and she had such a paddy today when we came across them. Sorry to hear your horse has the same problem - poor things.

[kestrel]

Hi. Some horses do react badly to nettle stings - known as urticaria (can also happen due to insect bites, certain foods etc).
A friend's pony reacted so badly (v low pain thresh-hold) that she appeared to pass out! I'm not kidding, she was flat out on her side with closed eyes.
Luckily she was fine afterwards. They have to avoid riding through nettles now which ain't easy this time of year.
So if your horse really resents them then maybe it's best to try to avoid them & consider carrying anti-histamine cream with you just in case.

[Clava]

Hi. Some horses do react badly to nettle stings - known as urticaria (can also happen due to insect bites, certain foods etc).
A friend's pony reacted so badly (v low pain thresh-hold) that she appeared to pass out! I'm not kidding, she was flat out on her side with closed eyes.
Luckily she was fine afterwards. They have to avoid riding through nettles now which ain't easy this time of year.
So if your horse really resents them then maybe it's best to try to avoid them & consider carrying anti-histamine cream with you just in case.

Anti-histamine cream - that's a good idea! Thanks. Fortunately she doesn't pass out (16hh.1 passing out, good grief that would be awful), I'll have to cut the nettles down.

[Sexy Sietske]

Can you apply a barrier, somethink like event grease or vaseline or something to give her an extra layer?? Im not sure if it would work, maybe find a willing volunteer :rolleyes: but thinking about it, it does make sense and would work :confused: maybe its me losing the plot :D

[notpoodle]

i didnt know horses could get stung by them either :confused: mine eats the things and we often have to ride down a very overgrown bit of track where the nettles and stuff are so high the pony can barely see out (she doesnt seem to mind, its like a walk-through picnic ....) :o

Julia
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