Excess Protein/Protein Bumps

[Rumours]

I have a 7 year old Oldenburg that has had a odd patch of bumps on her left shoulder/girth area and another handful of bumps on her low left flank. None on the right side. She has had them close to 2 years now and they never seem to change. I had originally thought they were hives but after further research I’m wondering if they are protein bumps?

I have asked my vet about them and she presumed allergies and we put her on Kinetic Equishield supplement but it did nothing for the bumps. She is an extremely easy keeper and wants to have a cresty neck. She also tends to be girthy, bloated looking, and prone to muscle tightness. After some research today on protein I’m beginning to wonder if I have been inadvertently giving her too much protein. Well, too much for her anyway.

She gets 4 flakes of Timothy a day (I don’t have the weight, but they are 3 string bales) and is on a dry lot, so no grass. For “grain” she gets literally a handful of beet pulp pellets (soaked), and 1/2 lb of Triple Crown 30% ration balancer morning and night. So 1lb total in a day. She’s also on Elevate Vitamin E (5,000), nupafeed magnesium, equithrive joint, and Vitalize Alimend ulcer supplement. She is also ALWAYS hungry. She will scavenge for any scrap of food, always.

She’s been scoped for ulcers and had grade 1/grade 2 and was treated with ulcerguard and sucralfate.

Has anyone had bumps like these that never go away? Could it be protein?

[Simkie]

Why do you think she’s getting too much protein in that diet? It sounds like she is potentially bordering on not enough, not too much…? Timothy isn’t known for being overly high in protein, and a pound of the ration balancer is adequate only if she’s 1000 pounds, and in light work. About how big is she, and what does she do?

Here’s an article about these bumps, maybe this will help explain why your vet thought it was insects.

https://www.horseillustrated.com/horse-experts-horse-vet-advice-protein-bumps

[candyappy]

Does she lay down on her left side? Could be from laying down in her dry lot. 4 flakes a day total doesn’t sound like much over 24 hours. No wonder she is hungry!

[Rumours]

The collagen bumps make sense since they never go way or change. She’s overweight right now because we could only walk for a couple of months under saddle due to a strain but she’s now back into full work. She’s an air fern when it comes to food/weight gain.