08/28/2026
๐ HIVES ๐
You found your horse covered in hivesโฆ now what?
Hives (urticaria) can be scary to find, but they donโt always mean your horse is having a life-threatening reaction.
What we recommend:
1๏ธโฃ Remove the suspected trigger.
If your horse was just given a medication, vaccine, supplement, feed, or was exposed to something new, stop/remove the suspected trigger if it is safe to do so and contact your veterinarian.
2๏ธโฃ Check your horseโs breathing. ๐
This is the most important step!
Watch for:
โข Difficulty breathing
โข Increased respiratory effort
โข Swelling around the muzzle, throatlatch, or airway
โข Excessive nasal discharge
โข Weakness, collapse, or severe distress
๐จ If your horse is having trouble breathing, this is an emergency. Call your veterinarian immediately.
3๏ธโฃ Check for other signs of an allergic reaction.
Hives may be accompanied by facial swelling, itching, fever, diarrhea, or changes in attitude.
If weather permits, rinse off your horse with water in case of a contact allergy.
4๏ธโฃ Call your veterinarian. ๐
Even if your horse seems comfortable, let your veterinarian know what happened. Your veterinarian can help determine whether treatment is needed and whether your horse should be monitored for progression.
5๏ธโฃ Donโt reach for medications without veterinary guidance.
The appropriate medication and dose depend on the horse, the suspected cause, and how severe the reaction is. Some allergic reactions can progress quickly.
๐ก One important thing to remember: Hives can appear hours after exposure to a trigger, so think about everything your horse has encountered recently, not just what happened immediately before the hives appeared.
If youโre ever unsure whether youโre looking at a mild allergic reaction or an emergency โ call your veterinarian. Itโs always better to ask.
๐ The Equine Lameness Center
๐ Helping you keep your horse comfortable, healthy, and performing their best.
๐ด This patient is expected to make a full recovery โค๏ธโ๐ฉน.
