Question
I own a six-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding that weighs 1,200 lb (545 kg) and stands 17.2 hands (178 cm). He is in moderate body condition. He is maintained in a stall 18 hours a day and kept outside or in work the remainder of the day. He was recently diagnosed with inflammatory airway disease (IAD). We also had him tested for allergies, and those tests revealed allergies to corn, barley, molasses, bahiagrass, and oat pollen (but not oats). Prior to the allergy testing, he was on a usual pelleted feed, steamed timothy/alfalfa (lucerne) hay, and bahiagrass pasture. He is now recovering from a colic episode, chronic gastric ulcers, and the IAD, so he is not in work and out to pasture all day, even though I’ve not determined how to address the bahiagrass allergy yet. What can I feed this horse to provide sufficient energy to do his work as a dressage horse while avoiding IAD and allergy problems?
Answer
To reduce the irritants your gelding is exposed to, which would therefore decrease the likelihood of an IAD episode, follow these steps:
- Continue steaming or soaking hay prior to feeding.
- Keep him outside as much as possible. Fresh air is likely to be less dense with allergens than stable air, even when a conscious effort is made at circulation and ventilation. Only confine your gelding to a stall when necessary.
- When he must be in a stall, employ measures to reduce dust, including using low-dust bedding or dampening bedding.
Suggested diet:
- 5 lb (2.3 kg) oats
- 2 lb (0.9 kg) beet pulp
- 3 lb (1.4 kg) ration balancer (double-check feeding instructions on the brand chosen)
- 3 oz Restore SR (electrolyte)
- Free-choice salt and water
- For additional dust control, dampen his feed.
Additionally, for his IAD, we recommend supplementing with 60 mL (2 oz) of EO•3 (an omega-3 supplement rich in DHA and EPA) daily to promote a more moderate inflammatory response. DHA and EPA are long-chain omega-3 fatty acids that have been shown to reduce allergic hyperactivity and support optimal immune function. The EO•3 should be introduced to his ration gradually over 7 to 10 days, and then increased slowly to 60 mL (2 oz) per day.
While your gelding is still experiencing or at risk for digestive challenges such as gastric ulcers and hindgut acidosis, we recommend the addition of 120 g of RiteTrac, a total-tract buffering system, to his daily ration. Both recommended products are available directly from KER or your vet can obtain them for you.
It is important to point out that false positive reactions are fairly common on allergy tests, and your horse may be allergic to other allergens that are not included on the allergy panel. Intradermal allergy testing (skin test) is more reliable than serum testing. Also, IAD is triggered by inhaled rather than ingested allergens, so strict control of hay and air quality is essential to reduce respiratory signs. No therapy will be as effective for IAD without environmental management.
NB. KERx RiteTrac is not available in Australia or New Zealand however KER has alternative solutions for digestive conditions and improving total digestive tract health, including hindgut buffer KERx EquiShure.
For more information on allergies in horses, please refer to these articles:
