Horse allergic to rape straw bedding?

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Charlie31

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I'm talking about respiratory allergies rather than skin ones here. Horse has mild respiratory issues so is on dust free bedding. This winter i thought I'd try chopped rape straw. Of course it could be coincidence but I think his symptoms are mildly worse since I started using it. Nothing else has changed though so it got me wondering.

On reflection I thought it could be one of three things: the rape bedding itself, the eucalyptus coating, or the stuff they spray on it to stop the horses eating it, probably some nasty chemicals.

I've heard of rape straw bedding causing skin reactions before but just wondered if anybody had experienced this with the respiratory issue?
 
Charlie31 said:
I'm talking about respiratory allergies rather than skin ones here. Horse has mild respiratory issues so is on dust free bedding. This winter i thought I'd try chopped rape straw. Of course it could be coincidence but I think his symptoms are mildly worse since I started using it. Nothing else has changed though so it got me wondering.

On reflection I thought it could be one of three things: the rape bedding itself, the eucalyptus coating, or the stuff they spray on it to stop the horses eating it, probably some nasty chemicals.

I've heard of rape straw bedding causing skin reactions before but just wondered if anybody had experienced this with the respiratory issue?
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What nasty chemicals? thats what the eucalyptus oil is supposed to do ,discourage eating!
Rape straw would not be described as dust free by me ! we grow the stuff and there will be lots of spores lurking in the bedding .
 
popsdosh said:
What nasty chemicals? thats what the eucalyptus oil is supposed to do ,discourage eating!
Rape straw would not be described as dust free by me ! we grow the stuff and there will be lots of spores lurking in the bedding .
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I thought the eucalyptus was to create a "pleasant stable environment" and it was also coated with something to make it unpalatable. It certainly tastes pretty disgusting when emptying a new bag out. It's described as being dust extracted and suitable for those with respiratory issues. It doesn't make me cough and most other bedding does, but it certainly doesn't seem to be agreeing with the horse.

ester said:
we used to have bliss basic on the yard and it made one pony worse, and 2 humans worse.
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That's interesting, this is bliss eucalyptus. It's definitely better for me but then I don't have to hang round in it all night. I think it might be going on the muck heap!
 
Charlie31 said:
I'm talking about respiratory allergies rather than skin ones here. Horse has mild respiratory issues so is on dust free bedding. This winter i thought I'd try chopped rape straw. Of course it could be coincidence but I think his symptoms are mildly worse since I started using it. Nothing else has changed though so it got me wondering.

On reflection I thought it could be one of three things: the rape bedding itself, the eucalyptus coating, or the stuff they spray on it to stop the horses eating it, probably some nasty chemicals.

I've heard of rape straw bedding causing skin reactions before but just wondered if anybody had experienced this with the respiratory issue?
Click to expand...

My daughters horse reacted very badly to the eucalyptus on bedding. She had rubbed the fur of on both sides of her face. We turned her out and when she came in later that day her face was really badly swollen as she had a fluid build up. Looked like she had mumps. We had to have the vet out for steroid shots to reduce the swelling.
 
Charlie31 said:
I thought the eucalyptus was to create a "pleasant stable environment" and it was also coated with something to make it unpalatable. It certainly tastes pretty disgusting when emptying a new bag out. It's described as being dust extracted and suitable for those with respiratory issues. It doesn't make me cough and most other bedding does, but it certainly doesn't seem to be agreeing with the horse.



That's interesting, this is bliss eucalyptus. It's definitely better for me but then I don't have to hang round in it all night. I think it might be going on the muck heap!
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The Eucalyptus is the only additive as it is prety foul to eat its nothing to do with a nice environment. Some horses also react to it if they eat it or get it on themselves. If there was anything else it would have to be on a label.
 
Actually all the Bliss's are coated in a disinfectant too. The bliss basic on opening it really hits you in the back of the throat, taste wise, you'd definitely want a nice drink after

It is bliss themselves that claim a fresh pleasant stable environment for the eucalyptus one, and that it might work as a decongestant!

OP I have much preferred using miscanthus/aubiose, it is chunkier and less inclined to move around too and didn't set either asthmatic person off (the pony was on cardboard at that point).
 
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ester said:
Actually all the Bliss's are coated in a disinfectant too. The bliss basic on opening it really hits you in the back of the throat, taste wise, you'd definitely want a nice drink after

It is bliss themselves that claim a fresh pleasant stable environment for the eucalyptus one, and that it might work as a decongestant!

OP I have much preferred using miscanthus/aubiose, it is chunkier and less inclined to move around too and didn't set either asthmatic person off (the pony was on cardboard at that point).
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I was quoting Sundown who we supply with rape straw all they add is eucalyptus. To be totally honest knowing the various fungi that can grow on it I would never use it with a sensitive horse of my own.Even if you dont notice them the spores are still there.
 
I think the specific brand doesn't matter really because either way I've gone off the stuff and won't be using it again! I haven't been keen on it all along and the idea that it could be making it worse, along with the suggestion that it might still be full of spores is enough to put me off for good.

I'm not a big fan of aubiose and you can't get miscanthus round here so it looks like it's back to shavings for me.
 
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