Hives in Horses: Here’s What to Do

Are unsightly, itchy bumps covering your horse’s body? Learn what causes hives in horses and how to handle them.
hives in horses is a frustrating but manageable condition. Here is a close up of the side of a gray horse with hives.
Adobe Stock Images

Are unsightly, itchy bumps covering your horse’s body? He might have hives—a frustrating but common skin reaction. While seeing your horse’s smooth coat erupt in welts can be alarming, the condition is manageable. Here’s what causes hives in horses and how to handle them.

What Are Hives?

Technically called urticaria, hives are soft, distinct, raised skin wheals created when capillaries below the skin’s surface leak serum. Hives begin as small areas of swelling but can grow to merge into larger patches.

Hives can be a reaction to a topical irritant, such as a bug bite, or a systemic response to food or medicine the horse has ingested. Topical irritants tend to cause reactions limited to one area of the body, whereas systemically induced hives appear over the entire body. In addition to the appearance of wheals, hives might also cause itchiness, particularly in the earliest stages of the reaction.

Make Sure the Nostrils Are Clear

If the hives are the result of a systemic allergic reaction, his airway might swell shut. Look for signs of puffiness around the nose and mouth, listen for strained, raspy inhalation, and watch the horse’s sides to see if he is taking even, deep breaths.

Rinse the Affected Area

Many cases of hives in horses are a reaction to something on the surface of the skin (contact dermatitis). If the wheals are localized, douse the affected area with cool water. Or cleanse the area with a mild soap and rinse thoroughly.

Consider Possible Causes

Hives are an immune response to a topical or systemic allergen. Investigate whether something in your horse’s environment might have led to the reaction. The first exposure to a new allergen won’t trigger a reaction, but the second or even third might. Consider any recent management changes you might have made.

  • Have you started using a new fly spray?
  • Is the horse on a new medication?
  • Are you turning your horse out in a new pasture?
  • Is he being fed a new grain or hay?     

Look for other clues as well. If the hives are limited to the saddle area, for instance, the trigger could be the detergent used to wash the saddle pad. Jot down your ideas to share with your veterinarian when he or she arrives.

Related Reading: Navigating 4 Common Horse Skin Issues

Are you enjoying this content? Sign up for My New Horse’s FREE newsletter to get the latest horse owner info and fun facts delivered straight to your inbox! 

Share This:

Share This:

Subscribe to Our Newsletter!

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
Country*

Additional Offers

Additional Offers
Additional Offers
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Fill Out Our Survey!

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
Do you own a horse?
In which discipline do you focus?
Additional Offers
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Related Articles

Subscribe for exclusive content and promotions for you and your new horse

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
Do you own a horse?
In which discipline do you focus?
Additional Offers
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.