Can feed cause allergies?

[suz]

I just switched my guy from Buckeye Gro - N - Win over to Purina Show-N-Win about a week and a half ago.

I've noticed he has been itching alot lately and I'm wondering if there's something in this new feed that may be causing this.

I don't see any welts that hives would cause. Mostly itchy in his mane and tail.

I just clipped him and bathed him a couple of days ago. No lice that I see. No hay or other feed changes.

We just moved to a new barn... wondering if he's just nervous due to the change? Or maybe just dry skin?

The new BO suggested some MTG on his mane to help with the itching, but that will take a couple of days to see if it works. Hopefully, that will take care of it!

Any suggestions or thoughts that it may be the feed or something else?

Thanks.

 

[ChrystalPaths]

Well yes, horse can become allergic...my Halley is allergic to alfalfa (go figure) so I have to watch what feed she gets. Could be itchies from just being clipped, maybe all the shampoo didn't get rinsed out? If it is warm enough I would rinse him again with warm water and lots of it, maybe watch for hives if it is an allergy. A bit of benedryl will help with that itching....I am not a vet but many of us do utilize it when needed.

 

[Charlotte]

Good call there! Yes, horses can have allergies just like people and dogs etc. It can cause breathing issues, skin issues, runny eyes...... Itching can definitely be a symptom of allergies and feed allergies are actually quite comomon. We occasionally have a horse in here that we allergy test and every time have found they are allergic to several components in their feed. Have you changed stall bedding, if used? That can be a big culprit too.

Check the ingredients of the Grow N Win and the new feed and see how many differences there are (although, with Purina products I usually find they don't list the actual feed contents, just words like grain products, forage products etc so you don't really know what is in them)

Good luck with your fellow. Allergies can be difficult to pin down, but sleuthing can usually bring a solution to the problem.

Charlotte

 

[backwoodsnanny]

Yes yes and yes I have 3 out of 18 that are allergic. Particularly if you get hay from more than one source they can be allergic to grasses that may be mixed with the hay. Any thing environmental can bother certain horses just as it can humans. We use benedryl for the short term and Trihist for those that will take it if its a long term problem. However, I have one 2 year old who will fight to NOT take the trihist that she should take so we are very careful what she gets to eat and just take care of her runny eyes when they happen. So far she has never had breathing problems thank goodness.

 

[Miniv]

Yes.

:

I ditto the post that recommended you compare the labels to your new and old grain bags.

I know of two horses that had feed related allergies. One was sensitive to corn products. The other was sensitive to bran.

MA

 

[tigeresss]

Well yes! I recently learned that it's actually quite common for horses to be allergic to alfalfa!

I too would compare the feed labels of the two different feeds.

 

[Little Wee Horse Farm]

Might I suggest you also compare the protein levels on your old feed with the new one? I once knew a friend's horse who was allergic to anything above moderate protein levels & could only have oats. It took a bit for the vet to pin it down, but it is possible. Just another idea.....................

 

[suz]

Well, I called Purina and they wouldn't give me the ingredient list to check against Buckeye. However, she told me they are pretty similar.

Proteins are the same amount I believe too.

She did tell me there is no flax in the born to win, but some omegas. This could lead to drier skin and itchies. I guess I'm going to have to incorporate some flax or oil into his diet while he is on this feed. I'll probably switch back to Buckeye after this bag is gone, as his coat really had a great shine on that product, no shine with this product

There IS flax in the Buckeye.

I'm interested in some ground flax seed, but worried about it going bad in this heat.

Would the BOSS do the same thing? How much BOSS do you all feed? And can you feed the de-shelled, dry roasted sunflower seeds and get the same effect? I'm worried that he might choke on the hard shells...

Thanks.

 

[Jean_B]

I'm interested in some ground flax seed, but worried about it going bad in this heat.

Thanks.

I live in Arkansas where summers are HOT - and have used flax without any problem (before I switched to the Farnam Platform Mini & Pony feed, which has flax in it).

The key is to store it in a dry container, such as a rubber garbage container, and not grind any up until you need to use it. I was buying it in 50 pound bags....would grind what a needed each day in a coffee grinder. Never had it go bad.