Why does your horse have intolerances?

People are known to suffer from food intolerances and sensitivities from time to time, and the same can also occur to animals like horses. An intolerance happens as the result of the body’s reaction to foreign objects like food and other items like dust and pollen. These allergens are often present in the immediate environment of your horse, which affects the animal’s health and overall quality of life.

Why should you test your horse for intolerances and sensitivity?

Suffering from sensitivities and intolerances can trigger more serious health problems. It is important to be able to spot the early signs of intolerances, such as digestive problems like diarrhoea and skin issues like rashes.

However, not all reactions to environmental allergens and substances are easy to detect. There are different factors, such as your horse’s current mood, that could affect the way symptoms appear, making the animal even more vulnerable to the health issues brought by the intolerances.

You can find out for sure the food and non-food substances that trigger your horse’s reactions. Our horse intolerance test analyses 44 food and 29 non-food items like bananas and buckwheat. Through the test, you will know which food ingredients and other substances need to be avoided.

Food Items

Non-food items

Sample report

After our laboratory receives your sample, you can expect the test results to be ready in 3-5 business days. The report will provide you all the information you need to understand your horse’s intolerances. It will also include a comprehensive guide for eliminating more possible intolerances from the animal’s diet.

How is the sample collection process?

To conduct this test, all the laboratory needs is your horse’s hair sample. We recommend you take the hair sample from the mane for safety reasons. Alternatively you can take the sample from a brush that you have groomed the horse with, so long as there is no cross contamination. Please note that we will NOT be sending out a test kit to you but you will be given a detailed guide on how to collect the sample. The process required for sample collection is easy but it is important to collect the hair as specified in the guide for the laboratory to be able to analyse the samples.

Download the forms below

• Download the Sample Collection Kit -Make Your Own at Home
• Downloand the Sample Collection Sheet Hair Collection
• Download the Animal DNA Testing Submission Form

Treating Your Horse’s Intolerances

Your sample report determines the type of allergens and substances your horse is intolerant to. To treat your horse’s intolerances, most of the time, you simply need to change the animal’s diet and remove the trigger substances from its nutrition plan. However, some intolerances may also require treatment. The report includes an extensive guide, and we recommend visiting your veterinarian for a more thorough discussion of the best treatment for your horse.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an allergy and intolerance in horses?

Allergic reactions are often more severe than intolerances and are usually felt immediately. You will know if your horse suffers from an allergy because the symptoms appear as soon as it gets in contact with the offending substance. However, intolerances are usually less severe and can change over time. The symptoms are also not immediate and can appear anywhere from 10 minutes to 48 hours after exposure to the trigger.

What is food allergy in horses?

Food allergy is an adverse reaction of the immune system to an allergen, which is usually a specific food protein. On the contrary, intolerances do not affect the animal’s immune system. Also, food allergies are less common than food intolerances.

What is food intolerance in horses?

Unlike food allergies, food intolerances are a non-immunologic adverse reaction to any food digested by the body. If your horse shows signs of illness after eating, it is likely that the animal is suffering from food intolerance. However, we recommend that you seek professional advice as the difference between food allergies and food intolerances may not always be distinct.

Special Offers and Discounts

The price of a single horse intolerance test is $166.

We are offering our clients the opportunity to purchase multiple tests and benefit from a $10 discount on each additional test. If you decide to order a second horse intolerance test, this will only cost $165.

Other Animal Testing Options

We offer a range of different Animal DNA Testing if you are interested in testing other types of pets. We offer a particularly strong Dog DNA Test section with tests like our Dog Intolerance Test and the dog breed identification test. Let us know if you are interested in any of these tests.