What should I do if I suspect my horse/ pony has a feed allergy?

True feed allergies in horses are rare and unfortunately, allergy testing (skin and blood tests) in horses is unreliable. If you do suspect your horse/ pony has a genuine feed allergy, an elimination diet is the best course of action. Please contact the Care-Line for more information.

Do horses suffer from feed allergies?

Yes, although true feed allergies in horses are very rare and when they do occur, are in response to a specific type of protein (normally a cereal protein), not the amount of protein or sugar as commonly thought. It is notoriously difficult to find the root cause of skin complaints such as itching, lumps, bumps and hives (one of the most common reasons that feed allergies are suspected) although changes in temperature, flies, mites in forage or bedding, shampoos or other topical solutions, clipper oil, pollen and detergent used to wash rugs and numnahs are all common culprits!

We are here to help...

At SPILLERS^™, we are dedicated to providing expert support and guidance for your horse’s nutritional needs. Whether you have a question about our products, need advice on feeding, or would like to speak to one of our Nutrition Advisors, we're here to help. Your feedback is important to us, and we encourage you to get in touch with any enquiries. Please don't hesitate to contact us through the methods below, and we'll do our best to help you as quickly as we can.

FAQs

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Q:

What should I do if I suspect my horse/ pony has a feed allergy?

A:

True feed allergies in horses are rare and unfortunately, allergy testing (skin and blood tests) in horses is unreliable. If you do suspect your horse/ pony has a genuine feed allergy, an elimination diet is the best course of action. Please contact the Care-Line for more information.
Q:

Do horses suffer from feed allergies?

A:

Yes, although true feed allergies in horses are very rare and when they do occur, are in response to a specific type of protein (normally a cereal protein), not the amount of protein or sugar as commonly thought. It is notoriously difficult to find the root cause of skin complaints such as itching, lumps, bumps and hives (one of the most common reasons that feed allergies are suspected) although changes in temperature, flies, mites in forage or bedding, shampoos or other topical solutions, clipper oil, pollen and detergent used to wash rugs and numnahs are all common culprits!