My horse has suffered from allergies for the past 3 years now and I am going to start trying some natural supplements to see if anything helps. He has been on allergy shots for two years now and they have gotten rid of the full body hives he used to have but he is still getting swelling in his glands and over his cheek bones. Has anyone had progress with natural allergy remedies? I am trying to find products that are USEF legal that might help my guy.
He is already on MSM.
TIA!
Yes. Spirulina (blue green algae).
[QUOTE=gumshoe;7491317]
Yes. Spirulina (blue green algae).[/QUOTE]
I just started my horse on this. How much are you giving?
My mare gets mild hives/coughing in Spring and sometimes Summer depending on the pollen counts. Giving her at least 1 cup whole flax helped considerably. I took her off the flax, the hives came back within a few days. But her back on it, hives went away.
We have one that was so bad last year in the gnats he lost all of his hair. This year we have him on Platinum Skin and Allergy, and he isnt even itchy!
We h ad a horse that had significant allergies (he was blood tested) and scratched his neck and tail a lot. He was on allergy shots for three years and the last year we had him, he was on Spirulina (2 tablespoons full a day) and Hilton Herbs Bye Bye Itch. He was definitely lots better shortly after starting the Spirulina and Bye Bye Itch.
I have a mare that gets bumps all over and rubs herself raw from flies, she’s on a product called Breathe Smooth by Smooth Run and now hasn’t had any issues… You would have to check about the ingredients because it has herbs, I’m not sure what all is allowed and not.
Bye Bye Itch has been my horses’s life saver. You can see pictures of before and after at my blog below. Just look for anything titled Tucker and allergies!
( I was so impressed, I am now their U.S. rep!)
I give my allergic headshaker spirulina. It is a lifesaver for him.
He gets about 10 grams of spirulina a day. I have it made as a 50/50 mix with flax, from Horsetech, because pure spirulina is very light and fluffy and makes a mess.
Thank you for all of the responses. I am definitely going to try the spirulina!
Platinum Performance and Platinum Skin and Allergy.
Where do you all get your spirulina?
It’s not natural, but I recommend Duralactin every time for allergies! My mare has been on it for the past 10 years, and it makes a HUGE difference in the swollen lymph nodes/runny, itchy eyes/runny, itchy nose, etc. She stays on it from around this time, until about October.
My vet recommended it for allergies, so don’t be alarmed that it’s marketed for arthritis. Hey, if it helps with the arthritis, that’s even better! lol
What quantity are you all giving of the spirulina?
We get our Spirulina from herbalcom.com (yes, that is really their address) and we feed two tablespoon fulls a day. As someone said, it is a very light and fluffy powder, but we mix it with wet beet pulp and it is easily managed that way.
UPDATE!!!
So, I tried the Spirulina and in 2-3 days I saw a major difference! The only problem is, he doesn’t like it and I had to syringe it into his mouth every day. Any ideas on getting him to eat it? He is allergic to molasses.
[QUOTE=Ainsley688;7503453]
It’s not natural, but I recommend Duralactin every time for allergies! My mare has been on it for the past 10 years, and it makes a HUGE difference in the swollen lymph nodes/runny, itchy eyes/runny, itchy nose, etc. She stays on it from around this time, until about October.
My vet recommended it for allergies, so don’t be alarmed that it’s marketed for arthritis. Hey, if it helps with the arthritis, that’s even better! lol[/QUOTE]
Awesome to know. My Lab is on it for her arthritis, I LOVE it!
But why do you say ‘it’s not natural’?
Figuerola labs Allergy Saver has Spirulina in it, mine eat it. May be worth a try instead of feeding straight.
I am bumping this thread up because my little mare - appropriately named Diva -had some sort of an allergic reaction. Last night just before dark - when they get their evening cookies - she was fine. See?: https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1.0-9/10001577_10203310358775948_82913815439316023_n.jpg I noticed a few raised spots, but since we are about to enter Fly Fest here in Ga, I didn’t think much of it. Today, I go out and she is covered in little hives, and her glands are swollen: https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1.0-9/10339689_10203316906699642_1624138284032232087_n.jpg I called the vet out - who was right around the corner - and after two shots - I think Dex and benadryl? - she was good to go. She inhaled her dinner, and is now happily grazing. The hives are still there, but have gone down. He left me with two packets of Azium to give tomorrow and the next day.
But…last year’s fly season was pretty rough, with this one starting with an allergic reaction, I am worried! She has a flysheet, and flymask, and gets Bug Check and 1 cup of Flax every day. I need to make an order to herbalcom.com for more Raspberry Leaves - should I order Spirilina too?
As for what caused it - who knows? He said it didn’t look like typical ant bites, and I agree. I walked the pasture today, and didn’t see anything obvious, but there is a small swamp in the back which would be impossible to clear out or even really search over. Thankfully the horses stay clear of it for the most part.
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