Allergy tests, and then allergy shots... they brought my mare (ok, not mine now) from being ridable only a few days a month in the summer... to being un-ridable only a few days a year.. She is one of the fittest horses in the barn these days! She was a very extreme case since she was allergic to damn near everything. (Hay, oats, dust, several weeds, etc).

It is fairly pricey... Here is what my mare's new owner told me about the shots (I was asking for a friend whose horse has allergies)

Allergy Testing: $300-$300

Allergy Shot:
low concentration, high frequency (as in every day/other day for quite a while)
medium, concentration, medium frequent (2 or 3 days up to weeks)
full dose, less frequent (I'm a bit more fuzzy on what I did here but you start stretching it out to the once a month at full strength)

Probably about $100-200 for each stage. BUT you would want to check all these numbers. My price when up recently since serum is coming from a new, more expensive source.

After EVERY shot you need to hang around and watch for an allergic reaction (site of injection swelling to generalized hives to respiratory distress) and be prepared to treat the reaction and/or call the vet. You probably will have antihistamine + other meds on hand if needed. Cost under $200.

She has only needed steroid treatment once since being on the shots, and Ventpulmin only occasionally (as opposed to almost daily before).

ETA: My mare was diagnosed five years ago... she was 5. She is outside on grass in the summer, a roundbale in the winter. She does not tolerate (allergy wise, nor mentally) being stalled very well so they could not easily test other foods.

Last Edited By: fallenupright Aug 11 10 7:21 AM. Edited 1 times.