Pollen allergy

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appaloosa123

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I may be about to purchase a horse with a pollen allergy. I've never had a horse with a pollen allergy before so wondering what kind of things can help to stop it, when the pollen is worse and may seem like a stupid question but does it calm down if you exercise your horse in an indoor school?

I know the horse is on global herbs and apparently that helps but he refuses to put a nose net on. Thanks for any advice
 
My pony developed a pollen allergy about 2 years ago and I wouldn't knowingly buy another with the same problem although obviously everyone's experience is different.

It began with her being lethargic and although I didn't have her scoped because I was about to go into hospital myself it became clear that it was Summer Pasture Recurrent Airway Obstruction ( what used to be called COPD).

She had 4 months off while I recovered and then I began gently riding her but had to stop as her breathing was so bad. Last summer she was on 10 puffs of an inhaler twice a day and she was not well enough to ride most of the time.

This summer has been better so far and I am taking her out 5 times a week but I have to be aware that she has good days and bad days and ride her accordingly, walking all the way round if necessary. (suitable exercise was recommended by the vet).

My pony lives out 24/7. As far as I am aware there is nothing physical like a nose net that would make any difference. Supplements are worth a try though.
 
does the horse head shake? my horse has a pollen allergy but it is mild and is worse in April and May. He shakes his head but I use a mask to ride in which stops it. As soon as the blossom goes he is fine. I would make sure they are not covering up a horse that is a head shaker.
 
Apparently the horse does head shake but not vigorously. I have a pony who head shakes because she doesn't like the bit so I am used to it. Is the mask a bit like a fly mask but one you can ride in?
 
Without knowing the whole story it is hard to reply, if it headshakes then that can be better if ridden indoors but may prove difficult to ride outside if you cannot use a nosenet, if it suffers more from full blown hayfever it could affect the breathing, require medication and be a constant battle through the summer, some get better over time, others get worse.
I would want to know more before buying, I would want to see its veterinary history, I would have a full vetting done and expect it to be priced accordingly but unless it was perfect in every way I probably would look elsewhere if I was wanting to compete, as a happy hacker it may be fine, although hacking in summer may be an issue.

Have just seen your post, it is a headshaker be very careful and do all my above suggestions before committing to purchase him .
 
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It is up for permanent loan as she can't afford it financially. Fantastic jumper. The owner said it isn't that bad but I have to come see the horse to understand..
In general do they stop head shaking if you work them in an indoor school, or is it the same? I want to be competing really.
Thank you :)
 
They do generally go better indoors, I have known several and although they vary being indoors can make a huge difference. I currently own one that does it very slightly he is better with a nosenet, loved his jumping, unable to through injury at the moment, but the main issue was if he started getting twitchy as he came into a fence, it didn't happen often but was totally distracting.

As the horse is for loan not purchase that does make a difference, go and try it, if you like it then arrange a trial period, they may want it to be permanent but a loan is never permanent you do have the option of returning it if the headshaking proves to be too bad and it cannot do the job required just make sure you have a good contract with a get out clause to cover you if it doesn't work out, loans can be great but both sides need to be happy with the arrangement.
 
Yes it is just like a fly mask that you ride in. Naf do a good supplement that has had good results. Some people feed human antihistamines but you would need to feed loads! I would be careful and go for a trial first.
 
My pony has just been diagnosed with seasonal COPD that someone else has mentioned above. She has always been a headshaker but this summer has had breathing problems which she has never had before. She has been put on ventipulmin medication to see if that helps, and currently can't be ridden. The next step will be inhalers if current medication doesn't help. Allergies can get a lot more serious than they first seem, and are not always controllable with things like nosenets/supplements and the horses reaction to pollen etc will vary from year to year. Given all the problems i've had with my mare, I wouldn't risk buying it if I was you, especially if you want to compete but this is obviously just my opinion! As much as I love my pony, I wouldn't take on another headshaker/allergy problem horse any time soon.
 
Why does he refuse the use a nose net? My Appy is a mild head shaker, and I wouldn't be without a nose net during the summer - it completely gets rid of all symptoms for him. It doesn't work for some horses but it really depends on the extent of the head shaking and the cause of it. His is due to Pollen so the Nose net prevents pollen spores from going up his nose. I also feed him Global Herbs Pollenex syrup during the summer months to help to make him more comfortable.

Hope this helps :)
 
Not the same I know but we have a cat with a grass and pollen allergy and management of it is an absolute nightmare. He has monthly injections and still scratches himself raw, open sores all the time from self-harming even with the injections, piriton and camrosa ointment with constant danger of wound infections.

I would ask for a short trial if possible to let you see how severe the problem is and whether you are able to manage it. Good luck.
 
just bear in mind that allergies can become more severe over time, so what is manageable now may not be in 2 years time.
I have a horse with allergies and would not knowingly buy another.
 
My ISH only seems to suffer when the blossom comes out so April/May. He has such a fab temp and is a lovely horse this is his only flaw which I manage by using a net. I am so glad I have got him and the allergy just needs to be managed.
 
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