The trees are blooming and you find that you have a runny nose and watery eyes. The pollen count is high. You reach for the anti-histamine, but hate taking medications. This newsletter discusses some strategies for dealing with allergies.
◆︎ Histamine
Histamine is released from immune cells in response to allergens. The body systems most affected are skin, lungs, and intestines.
The downstream effects of the histamine release include:
» Itching
» Hives
» Runny nose, stuffy nose
» Watery eyes
» Breathing issues
» Migraines
» Body aches and pains
◆︎ What are some of the triggers to histamine release?
There are many different triggers and it is sometimes difficult to determine the cause. Common ones include:
❏ Pollen
❏ Bug bites
❏ Dust mites
❏ Mold
❏ Air fresheners, perfume
◆︎ Things that trigger contact dermatitis:
☛ Fragrances, perfumes, dyes in laundry detergent or dryer sheets
☛ Premises sprays and cleaning solutions
☛ Poison ivy
◆︎ How to help our horse:
◆︎ Try to identify and remove the allergens.
A recent study showed that reducing the exposure to an offending allergen was superior to taking anti-histamines. No surprise there.
Dust: Lower the exposure to dust. Remove the horse from a stall before you clean it. Use low dust bedding. Increase the amount of outdoor time.
Blankets/leg wraps: When cleaning blankets, use a hypoallergenic detergent and refrain from using fabric softener.
Molds: Inspect your hay. Throw out moldy or dusty hay. If your horse has a breathing issue, consider using a hay steamer to reduce molds. Rinse your horse’s hay to lower dust levels.
Flies: Use various fly controls to minimize fly populations. (Ha! Easier said than done!)
◆︎ Supplementation:
There are a number of supplements that reportedly help support the horse when dealing with a histamine response.
❤ Mov-Ease
❤ MSM
❤ Turmeric
Some horses may need more than one supplement for better support. Common combinations include:
Spirulina + Mov-Ease
Spirulina + Quercetin
Spirulina + vitamin C
Quercetin + vitamin C
An interesting human research article demonstrated that 2 grams of spirulina per day (human dose) was more effective at reducing the histamine response than cetirizine (a brand name that contains cetirizine is Zyrtec®). We don’t know if horses would have similar results. More research is needed.
◆︎ Veterinarian support:
If supplements are insufficient to support your horse, consult with your veterinarian. He/she can recommend prescription medication, which may include anti-histamines or corticosteroids.
We do the best that we can for our horses. Understanding allergies is a part of that.
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Disclaimer: Statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition.
©Joan Kulifay 2025