Feed intolerance

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MyLuckyStar

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Hi all

Has anyone experienced this with their horses?

I have noticed my mare has become increasingly itchy over the last few days and has itched that hard she has rubbed her fur out at the top of her neck. I've done some research on the net and horses who have done this before have had a feed intolerance.

She has been on fast fibre for a month or so now and was on it last winter also. She was itchy last year, but not as itchy. She is fully clipped and rugged as she lives out 24/7. She has been checked for lice etc and is clear.

I didn't associate the itching and the fast fibre feeding last year as it was the first time she was fed on it and thought she may be itchy as was rugged 24/7 etc. When I first had her she was fed on mollichaff, pony nuts and speedi beet but then she suffered laminitis so I thought the fast fibre and healthy hooves would be more suited to her (I consulted a feed nutritionist)

I have now took her off the fast fibre and will be putting her back on to speedi beet.
 
Fast fibre is one of the feeds usually recommended for intolerences as it is barley & molasses free. But you could look at simple systems instead as that is bsically just variations on grass! What do you feed her in the summer?

Just one thought though - could she be reacting to what ever you have washed your rugs in? Or might she be getting a bit warm - especially in this stupid weather?

Different people rug in different ways - but if you have a summer sheet or fleece under to wash regularly then she might be reacting to your washing powder. If you don't might she be re-acting to the build up of scurf etc on the inside of her rug?

Clipped horses are often a little more sensitive to skin irritants as they have no fur to protect them! Just becuase she is clear of lice (and mites I presume) doesn't necessarily mean that it isn't skin related.
 
Shay said:
Fast fibre is one of the feeds usually recommended for intolerences as it is barley & molasses free. But you could look at simple systems instead as that is bsically just variations on grass! What do you feed her in the summer?

Just one thought though - could she be reacting to what ever you have washed your rugs in? Or might she be getting a bit warm - especially in this stupid weather?

Different people rug in different ways - but if you have a summer sheet or fleece under to wash regularly then she might be reacting to your washing powder. If you don't might she be re-acting to the build up of scurf etc on the inside of her rug?

Clipped horses are often a little more sensitive to skin irritants as they have no fur to protect them! Just becuase she is clear of lice (and mites I presume) doesn't necessarily mean that it isn't skin related.
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She has a fleece underneath but it isn't washed. Did think about her getting to hot but have checked her regularly and shes been ok

My initial thought was the feed as she's always been ok when on a different feed
 
Either take a rug off for at least a week and see if she stops or stop feeding the fast fibre, I would be suprised if it is the feed as said before its just fibre so nothing to get intolerant to really, it is quite mild at the moment maybe she can do without the fleece I have a mare who is fully clipped but still can get too hot she will also get itchy if too hot.
 
Pinkvboots said:
Either take a rug off for at least a week and see if she stops or stop feeding the fast fibre, I would be suprised if it is the feed as said before its just fibre so nothing to get intolerant to really, it is quite mild at the moment maybe she can do without the fleece I have a mare who is fully clipped but still can get too hot she will also get itchy if too hot.
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Sorry, that should read she had a fleece on she just has her turnout rug on now.

As she's fuly clipped and living out 24/7 I don't really want to take her rug off her :/
 
Yes, have experienced it. My last horse was intolerant of/ allergic to alfalfa - made feeding a real nightmare as it took ages to find a feed that didn't contain it (for the record, I could only find D&H Safe & Sound). He used to get a rash all over his body though it was never itchy.

Are you sure your horse isn't simply too hot? How heavy is her turnout rug? It's really warm ATM so it could easily be that she doesn't need the fleece, or needs a lighter weight rug. Can you turn her out in a sand school (or field if they're dry enough!!) without a rug at all to let her have a good roll and scratch?
 
I very much doubt it's her feed, as like others have said Fast Fibre is recommended to those sensitive to some feeds.

I would think she might be too warm (my Welsh D is fully clipped including legs and head and is only wearing 300g atm), or she has an allergy to something other than feed.
 
Sorry my post was not that clear either I just meant take the fleece off if you had one on underneath, bit cold for naked I agree:D

It is really mild at the moment my mare only had a fleece on in the stable today and felt qute warm.
 
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