6/ NOVEMBER 2013 THE RIDER


The Way of Horses Horse Hives


changed. He was in the same pas- ture, 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 hadn’t been treated with any medications. Luckily Sport was not showing


ication, new bedding or the presence of biting insects. In Sport’s case nothing had


also have skin irritation. They will rub themselves raw to get relief from the itching. In some instances horses may have fevers, lose their appetite or become restless or dull. Not being in distress we decided


By Eleanor Blazer Copyright @ 2013


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


I glanced at the pastured horses


the victim of an allergic reaction to something which was resulting in the hives.


Hives, also known as urticaria,


before. Sport wasn’t in any distress, but


to just watch Sport for the next sever- al days. Many times hives clear up without intervention. Sport’s owner arrived and rinsed


any signs of discomfort. He wasn’t scratching or in pain. This is not always the case. Many horses that contract hives


were gone – never to return. What caused them? We have no


due to hives the veterinarian can pre- scribe an antihistamine. Antihis- tamines block or reduce histamine – reducing the side effects. By late afternoon Sport’s hives


him off with cool water. It was pos- sible something in the air triggered the allergic response. For horses having discomfort


clue. It’s a mystery - another strange thing to be documented in our life


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.


can be difficult. There are instances when something will come to mind – a change of feed, new fly spray, med-


Determining the cause of hives


and feeding horses take the online courses “Stable Management” and “Nutrition for Performance Horses” taught by Eleanor Blazer. Earn certi- fication 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


with horses. * For information about caring for


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