THE HORSE GAZETTE health horse hives The Way of horseS By Eleanor Blazer © 2013 I glanced at the


pastured horses on my way to the barn. I stopped when I came to Sport. He had hives…small swollen bumps on his neck and chest. They were various sizes, with the largest about the size of a nickel.


He had been fine the night before.


Sport wasn’t in any distress, but the victim of an allergic reaction to somet hing which was resulting in the hives.


Hives, also known


as urticaria, is the body’s reaction to the presence of high levels of histamine in the blood. Histamine helps the body fight allergies or foreign invaders like germs and non-beneficial bacteria. Unfortunately the side effects of high levels of histamine can be hives, nasal congestion and itchy, watery eyes.


Determining the


cause of hives can be difficult. There are instances when something will come to mind – a change of feed, new fly spray, medication, new bedding or the presence of biting insects.


In Spor t ’s case


nothing had changed. He was in the same pasture, eating the same feed, he had not been off the ranch and the bugs were not any worse than usual. His fly spray was not new and he


arrived and rinsed him off with cool water.


Sport’s owner It was possible


something in the air triggered the allergic response.


For horses having


discomfort due to hives the veterinarian c


a n


prescribe an antihistamine. Antihistamines block or reduce histamine – reducing the side effects. By late


afternoon Sport’s hives were gone – never to return. What


caused them? We have


hadn’t been treated with any medications. Luc ki ly Sport


was not showing any signs of discomfort. He wasn’t scratching or in pain. This is not always


the case.


contract hives also have skin irritation.


themselves raw to get relief from the itching.


Many horses that They will rub In some


instances horses may have fevers, lose their appetite or become restless or dull. Not being in distress


we decided to just watch Sport for the next several days. Many times hives clear up without intervention.


The beautiful, serene ranch


offers Boarding, Two Rounds Pens, Covered Arena, Turn Outs & Pastures, Hot & Cold Wash Rack, Western Riding Lessons, and Trail Rides


Conveniently located just north of San Antonio & South of Boerne, Texas.


Mary at Cell: 512-589-3796 • Home: 512-894-4536 or visit her website at www.maryrose- dressage.com.


You can contact


no clue. It’s a mystery - another strange thing to be documented in our life with horses.


* For information


about caring for and feeding horses take the online courses “Stable Management” and “Nutrition for Performance Horses” taught by Eleanor Blazer. Earn certification or work toward a Bachelor of Science degree in equine studies. Go to www. horsecoursesonline.com for more information. Visit Eleanor’s web site at www. thewayofhorses.com


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