Is it possible to be allergic to some horses and not others?

[Sooty]

Or can you grow out of an allergy? I have been highly allergic to horses since I was about 13, but recently I have been so much better it is barely a problem. Both our horses are bright chestnut, and I know chestnuts have some different compound in their colouring (like redheads), and wondered if that was the reason. I know it sounds weird, but it is a might big coincidence... And means I'm stuck with chestnuts.

 

[Rosehip]

I too am highly allergic to horses,but I find that some make me react much more than others. The one I react to the most is one of the 2 grey mares at the yard, but that reaction is getting less as I spend more time with them...I think you can build a certain immunity to horses that you see and handle a lot. This year I could clip Melly without a mask, where as last year I was masked and goggled and still suffered!! x

 

[_April_]

I am allergic to horses but build up a tolerance the more I am around them.

I am completely fine around Tara and the horses on my own yard as I have built up a great tolerance being there every day.
I even hug and kiss the hairy little shetlands with no reaction at all.

however when I go to visit my old loan horse - April - I have very violent reactions and I need loads of pitriton and tissues! It's wierd!

I think it must be the change in environment aswell as the horses

 

[cm2581]

Take a look at this!

http://www.colourthyme-stud.com/whatisacurlyhorse.htm

I found it quite amusing!

 

[Selkie]

I know someone who was ok with ponies but allergic to horses it was to do with their height the had Welsh section A's and nothing bigger

 

[JigsawRawkPoneh]

I was going to mention the Bashkir Curly horse, as scientists believe them to be hypoallergenic. Though I expect some people can still have some reaction.

I was reading a book a few months ago, that told me how allergies come about. It makes sense to be able to build up a tolerance to them.

 

[Moggy in Manolos]

I am sure it does depend on hair type, i am allergic to some cats, i have 3! but not others, so i think it could be very much the same for horses

 

[Slinkyunicorn]

It is possible to build up an immunity to horses, cats and dogs if you are around them constantly. Your body will build an immune response to the allergens from those animals you are in constant contact with, which is why you may still have an allergic reaction to other horses, cats and dogs. I like to think of it as natures way of ensuring you stay poor forever and working as an indentured slave for the good of your animals. It takes a while to happen though so in the meantime keep taking the Zirtek!

 

[_April_]

lol slinky

 

[chestnut cob]

I never had allergies at all until I moved down to Hants and since then I've become allergic to cats, some dogs, every sort of pollen you can imagine, and some horses.

I am ok with my own horses and horses I have regular contact with, but if I come into contact with a different horse I get sore eyes, sniffles and sometimes sneezing. When I got the new boy I had this for a couple of weeks, then I guess I got used to him and it went away. Always get it when a new horse comes to the yard and if I go to other people's yards.

I don't seem to have a particular problem with any colour - have had chestnuts, bays, and now a bright bay. I am allergic to mostly black cats though, seem ok with other colours!

 

[Sooty]

Oh these replies are really interesting - thank you everyone. I still get a skin reaction if one of the horses fuffles me with its whiskers, but the sneezing is no longer an issue. Interesting that it might be because of regular contact. I certainly hope so, as I would like a change of colour LOL! I am also highly allergic to all cats, it is their spit. Ewww. And dust, but that, of course is not an issue... *Sooty dodges thunderbolt*