Horsetalk.co.nz Herbs and nutrients may help calm your horse’s allergies
Picture by Imagesines via Getty Equine Nutrition
Allergies are a common complaint, especially during the warmer months. The typical treatment involves antihistamines or steroids. And these drugs often give good results.
In fact, I would likely do the same for my horses if they were suffering. Allergies are miserable! Coughing, runny eyes and nose, incessant itching – the torment is tough to watch, and you want a solution, fast!
But these drugs do not cure anything. They simply help the symptoms. Why not, instead, try to improve the diet so your horse’s allergies subside – perhaps at first, in addition to the medications you are using. Over time, your horse may respond so favorably, that drugs are no longer needed.
Horsetalk.co.nz Lecithin shows promise in equine ulcer prevention and treatment
File image.
Juliet Getty takes a look at the use of omeprazole in horses and why its long-term use isn’t a good idea.
Your horse has an ulcer? “Give him omeprazole.”
Your horse is traveling on a long trip? “Give him omeprazole.”
Your horse is taking pain medication? “Give him omeprazole.”
Sound familiar?
Omeprazole, produced by Merial as GastroGard and the less concentrated UlcerGard, is the go-to drug for all these reasons and more. One of my clients recently said, “The people at my barn feed omeprazole like it’s candy!”