Signs Your Horse Might Have a Food Allergy
Food allergies can show up in different ways—sometimes on the skin, sometimes in the digestive system, or both. If your horse has chronic, recurring issues that don’t respond to standard treatments, food could be the root cause.
Skin-Related Symptoms
- Hives or bumps (urticaria)
- Itchy face, neck, or body
- Bald patches and skin damage from rubbing
- Recurrent skin infections
Digestive Signs
- Repeated mild colic episodes
- Loose manure or chronic diarrhea Bloating or gas
- Unexplained weight loss despite good appetite
Other Clues
- Lethargy or reduced performance
- Picky or fussy eating behavior
How to Diagnose Food Allergies in Horses
There’s no single test that confirms a food allergy, but a careful process of elimination can help you find the cause. Here's how to approach it:
1. Rule Out Other Conditions
Your vet will start by eliminating more common causes like:
- Insect bite hypersensitivity (e.g., sweet itch)
- Environmental allergies (dust, mold, pollen)
- Parasites or fungal infections
- Gastric ulcers or gut imbalances
2. Try an Elimination Diet (4–8 Weeks)
- Remove all suspected allergens from your horse’s diet.
- Switch to a novel protein (one your horse hasn’t eaten before), like pea protein, lupin, or coconut meal.
- Use alternative forage like timothy or teff instead of alfalfa.
- After 4–8 weeks, slowly reintroduce ingredients one by one and monitor for reactions.
3. Consider Allergy Testing
Tests like PAX Horse Allergy Xplorer measure IgE antibodies to specific proteins and can provide helpful clues to guide your elimination trial.
Managing Food Allergies in Horses: What to Feed
Once you’ve identified the offending ingredients, the key is to avoid them long-term while still meeting your horse’s nutritional needs. Here are some allergy-friendly feeding strategies:
Novel Protein & Hypoallergenic Diets
Use a single, non-reactive protein source like:
- Coconut meal
- Pea or lupin protein
- Grain-free and soy-free feeds
- Teff or timothy hay instead of alfalfa
Fiber-Based Feeding
High-fiber diets reduce allergen load while keeping your horse energized:
- Beet pulp (soaked)
- Haylage or soaked hay cubes
- Non-legume hay varieties
Omega-3 Supplements
Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation and support skin health.
Dr. Baddaky Omega-3 is a high-quality marine omega-3 supplement formulated for horses. It contains EPA and DHA from fish oil to promote a shiny coat.
