Horse Allergic Respiratory Disease

Horse’s can have allergies. It makes sense if you consider the type of environment they live in. If they are not outside (and in some instances even if they are) they can have an allergic reaction to dust, molds, smoke, and other air borne allergens.

 

The name for this condition is Allergic Respiratory Disease (ARD) and it shows up with flu-like symptoms rather than sinus or nasal problems. The horse's lungs will get inflamed, making them far more susceptible to virus and bacterial infections. This develops as a recurring problem your horse never quite gets over. You'll also likely see coughing, excessive eye discharge, and some nasal discharge.

 

It seems the most common cause of Allergic Respiratory Disease is several types of mould spores and weeds in hay or straw. This is a seasonal thing, so you may only see the problem popping up in the spring and the summer. The problem is, winter and fall feed can come from the same source, and so what happens is the horse builds up sensitivity over time and their reactions can increase.

 

You can keep your horse outside in the fresh air, if at all possible, trying to reduce the symptoms. However, if your horse needs to be stalled, store your hay in a different barn location and make sure the airflow in the barn is good. Soak or rinse your hay before feeding if there is a dust problem.

 

If your attempts at home solutions aren't helping much, call your Vet and have them listen to your horse's lungs. Your Vet can figure out how severe your horses’ allergy is.   There's also a blood test that can tell the Vet precisely what the horse is allergic to. Other treatments include corticosteroids (cortisone) and bronchodilators.

 

Figuring out what your horses’ allergy problem is in the first place is half the battle, and once you have that under control your horse is well on his way to making a good recovery.

 

Have a great day with your horse!