Ask the Nutritionist: Dr. Getty's Forum for Equine Nutrition
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Thank you for taking the time to answer all of the questions I have!
My 28 y/o gelding has what my vet thinks is an unknown environmental allergy. In the winter, he begins to scratch and make sores on the inside of his hind legs, in front of his sheath, his chest and his face.
His coat is a soft and shiny black. The only supplement he has responded positively to for his coat is Grand Coat by Grand Meadows. Flax and Chia do not produce the same results for him.
The past 2 winters I have had to resort to putting him on Hydroxyzine as prescribed by my vet, and it does keep his itching under control.
I have read that the combination of Spirulina and Chondrotin are useful with allergies. Do you have any experience with either? I have had him on Spirulina long term, as he felt better when taking it, but removed it when he had a very positive response to Balance EQ for fall laminitis and foot pain. He has been on an all forage based diet for the 2 years I've had him 
Thank you!
Where are you from? TN
How did you locate this forum? Ongoing
Hi Cindy,
The fact that he responded to the Grand Coat and not to a flaxseed meal or chia seed product tells me that his minerals are likely out of balance, and his protein intake is not of the best quality (since Grand Coat contains added minerals and protein). So, by all means, continue using it since it seems to be helping.
But, I have had excellent results with Spirulina -- give him 20 to 40 grams per day. The benefits for allergies is very well documented. However, I have not had the same results with chondroitin (not to say that it doesn't work at all -- it just hasn't been my experience).
Vitamin C is a very important component of his treatment. Not only does he require it at his age, on a daily basis (because he no longer produces it on his own), but additional vitamin C is necessary to boost his ability to fight allergens. It is also a natural anti-histimine. Give him 20,000 mg per day, divided between meals. I recommend C-442 because it is buffered and very economical.
Keep me posted!
All the best,
Dr. Getty
Author of Feed Your Horse Like A Horse
My 28 y/o gelding has what my vet thinks is an unknown environmental allergy. In the winter, he begins to scratch and make sores on the inside of his hind legs, in front of his sheath, his chest and his face.
His coat is a soft and shiny black. The only supplement he has responded positively to for his coat is Grand Coat by Grand Meadows. Flax and Chia do not produce the same results for him.
The past 2 winters I have had to resort to putting him on Hydroxyzine as prescribed by my vet, and it does keep his itching under control.
I have read that the combination of Spirulina and Chondrotin are useful with allergies. Do you have any experience with either? I have had him on Spirulina long term, as he felt better when taking it, but removed it when he had a very positive response to Balance EQ for fall laminitis and foot pain. He has been on an all forage based diet for the 2 years I've had him
Thank you!Where are you from? Bayfield, CO
Hi Cindy,
I expect this is extremely frustrating. You're doing everything right. I would recommend that you have him allergy tested. He may be allergic to something that you feed him everyday (perhaps even flax!) that is making it impossible to counteract.
Have his liver tested -- you'll likely be doing that. And finally, give him a buteless pain reliever such as SuPer Substitute (comes in a liquid or powder) since this will dull the nerve endings.
Keep me posted,
Dr. Getty
Author of Feed Your Horse Like A Horse
I am still having great difficulty with my senior Percheron's allergies
He is still scratching huge sores on his rear end, between the hind legs and his chest!I increased his Spirulina--giving 3 TBS a day (1 TBS per meal), added the Vitamin C, and GroStrong minerals. He is still on Flax (Grand Coat) and also had to get Hydroxyzine from the vet--which is not working. I am so frustrated as to what else I can do to help him stop itching? I do apply a topical spray and gel on the sores and in his tail daily.
I will have my vet out in a few weeks for annual blood-work--are there any specific tests I need to target? I usually do a CBC, Chemisty panel, Insulin and Thyroid.
Thank you!
Where are you from? Bayfield, CO