Straw allergy??

[clairelouisehorses]

My horse was diagnosed with Folliculitis at the start of the year so had a course of steroids which cleared him up, I then turned him out 24 hours a day an his coat look great and had a lovely shine to it, a fews ago because of the bad weather I started fetching him in overnight and within a couple of days I noticed a big change in his coat, it went really dull looking and his skin looked dry underneath, his side went quite bumpy, you could see the hair wasnt lying flat, he then developed small hard lumps again on his back and rump area. I then turned him back out 24 hours and his coat is back to normal again, he is bedded on straw which isnt always of best quality, I'm wondering now if he is allergic to straw or is he just rubbing hinself silly when he comes in. my vet has suggested to try him on shavings but as it is quite expensive wanted to see if anyone has come across anything similar

 

[sidesaddlegirl]

It could be straw. I'm allergic to straw and get hives (big red raised itchy bumps!) on my body from it so can't be on a yard where straw is used as even the dust coming into contact with my tools, rugs, etc and even brushing my horse who has been laying in straw, gives me hives and I used to buy prime quality straw too as I used to feed it! That is one of the reasons I moved onto my yard as it has a straw ban in place. If humans can be allergic to it, then I don't see why horses can't be as well.

 

[vanessarimmer]

Yes definately sounds like a straw allergy. Some horses are just allergic to Barley straw, but one of mine is allergic to wheat and oat straw too. He comes up in lumps all over his body and his skin is sore.

 

[WandaMare]

I had a section D gelding who was allergic to straw. When I bought him he had small lumps under his fur especially on his side and around his muzzle. They went soon after he moved to my yard, mine are bedded on shavings. However if we stayed away anywhere his lumps returned and I soon realised it was the straw beds. If shavings are too expensive have you looked at wood pellets, they are more economical.