Conference noted::equitation

    Bedding is a common source for allergic reaction. I have seen my
    horse break out in hives when a new shipment of bulk shavings is
    used in the stall or when changing from bulk to bag shavings. She
    will usually react with a mild case of hives on neck, stomach and
    sides. These usually disappear within a week as her system gets
    used to the new bedding. Once, last year, it took longer for the
    hives to go away. For a severe case, I would consider stripping
    and changing the bedding.

    Look for changes, did he have a change in pastures, hay, was
    there any change to his grain; either type or brand, as .1 said
    change in bedding, did you wash his blankets recently?, new saddle
    pad?, any new chemicals; dry shampoo or such?  Once in a great
    while I have seen similar reactions to the black flies when they
    first start coming out.  Let us know how he is doing.

    Thanks for the replies so far.  The black flies are a possibility
    I noticed that they were around us when I was riding him on Mon.
    The confusing thing is that the hives were on his neck off and on
    over the past couple of weeks.  He never had any on the other parts
    of his body.  I did get a new load of sawdust on Sat.  It looks and
    smells the same as usual - pine.  I also found a big branch of
    goldenrod in his stall when I was cleaning it on Tues.  It is possible
    that a particular bale of hay had somethings in it that he was
    allergic too.  I have had the same hay since Dec.  He has been getting
    Source in his grain since last Sept - maybe he developed an allergy
    to that over the past few months, anyhow I have eliminated it from
    his grain.  I hope that he is better today - if not I will call the
    vet again.  
    
    Thanks 
    

     Sounds like a common reaction to the first of the year mosquito
     bites or any blood sucking insect from the tons of rain we've been
     having lately. Also pollen from trees?
    

    My Thoroughbred had a real bad case of the hives when he was 2.
    He had lumps all over his body with a lot of them being oozie on
    top.  It of course was worst on the 4th of July that year when I
    called the vet.  I was afraid that the vet would come out and say
    it was only bugs bites, but it turned out to be hives.  The vet
    pointed out that it was lucky that I called him as the lumps would
    be on the inside of the horse as well.
    
    I never did totally find out what caused them, but I think that
    the horse is very sensitive to any bits of mold in hay.  I had had
    some bad hay that I had just bought off the field that year.  Since
    then I am real careful with the quality of hay I feed.  Has the
    bales of hay you have used lately had any traces of mold?
    
    My horse is 12 now and luckily has not had an attack like that one
    again, although I have seen a few lumps once in a while - usually
    when I have borderline hay (which does not bother my other horses).
    
    Good luck,
    Diana
    

    Well my horse was better yesterday - the big welts were gone, but 
    he still has some small bumps all over.  I have been rubbing some
    Aloe type cream into the welts and bumps, and it seems to help.
    The vet had told me to watch for any signs of his breathing being
    impaired - because as Diana said they can be inside and if they get
    into the throat it will give him trouble breathing.  He has not had
    any problem there.  I am suspisious that the mud could be causing
    this breakout of hives.  As I had said he has been blanketed and
    the bumps had only been on his neck until Tues - I have been turning
    him out without anything on this week and he did roll quite a bit.
    Prior to this his neck was the only part of his body that got mud
    on it when he rolled.  
    
    One really strange thing is that I had a very bad case of hives in
    Feb.  I had never had an allergic reaction to anything before.
    I was bed ridden for 5 days - I had them in my throat on two occasions
    and had to go to the hospital for a shot.  Nor the Doctors or myself
    came to any conclusions on what caused them.  Maybe it was something
    in the barn that has affected us both?????  Maybe a particular type
    of hay or something in some of the bales????  This is getting weird!!!
    
    Thanks for all the help

    A few years ago my Arabian had a case of the hives on his neck,
    stomach,back and legs. My vet at the time said she hadn't seen
    anything like it around these parts of the country but that she
    has seen it in the west and said it was caused by the mud. We treated
    it with a prescription ointment from the pharmacy. It never affected
    his breathing and he was soon over the hives after proper treatment.
                                                         
    Pat





                           

    My mare had a bad case of hives one year and it turned out to be an
    allergy to the bedding being used in her stall at the fairground; 
    hardwood shavings.  We just made sure we brought our own bedding
    when we went to overnight shows after that and she never had the
    problem again.
    
    There is also the possibility of a horse being allergic to alphafa in
    the hay.  Did you also check for hornets or ground bees in the area?
    
    Pat