If you've been following this blog for a while, then you already know that Nemo has allergies. If you are a newer reader you can read past informative posts about allergies here, along with some great reader suggestions on allergy care in these comments.
To summarize, Nemo's allergies surfaced in 2014 when he was seven. In the beginning we tried various medicines, in different combinations. We tried Dexamethasone, eye ointments, Equipatches, double masking, a Guardian Mask and adjusted his turn-out. We ended up having Nemo's allergies tested. Started allergy shots and continue doing Subcutaneous Immunotherapy to this day.
While our horses were boarded, we agreed with our trainer that she would give him his shots. I would reorder Nemo's allergy shots, figure out the schedule and make a hard copy calendar to keep track of it all.
To summarize, Nemo's allergies surfaced in 2014 when he was seven. In the beginning we tried various medicines, in different combinations. We tried Dexamethasone, eye ointments, Equipatches, double masking, a Guardian Mask and adjusted his turn-out. We ended up having Nemo's allergies tested. Started allergy shots and continue doing Subcutaneous Immunotherapy to this day.
While our horses were boarded, we agreed with our trainer that she would give him his shots. I would reorder Nemo's allergy shots, figure out the schedule and make a hard copy calendar to keep track of it all.
When we moved our horses, we learned how to give Nemo his shots and took over all his allergy care. While we were switching, the timing got confused. We figured it out, and now have a permanent place for his calendar in our barn.
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| our attempt to stay organized Nemo's allergy calendar on right & magnetic dry erase stuff on left |
Nemo get's two allergy shots, the same set always on the same side. We were surprised and concerned that he does react. Especially on one side. It really helps to massage the bump, and by the next day it's gone.
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| Nemo's reaction |
The first three days the horses were home, Nemo was turned out all day without any mask! We were thrilled.
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| Nemo in June |
Day four it rained, and it must have knocked pollen down because poor guy came in at night with puffy eyes. We felt bad and decided to just automatically mask him. With only one mask. First we used the Guardian mask, but the eye edges block peripheral vision. Not ideal with a sensitive horse that wants to keep track of his world. We switched to Cashels Quiet Ride (my fav mask) and so far it's been going pretty good.
We are now mid-August and he seems to be a bit more bothered. Not terrible head flicking, but Nemo follows Koda so closely most of the day. In his shade, under his tail, and rubbing against him. He must be driving Koda nuts. I can hear Nemo frequently clearing his nose.
Nemo has only come in once early afternoon, since we moved. He stays out all day. At our trainers he was double masked and coming in by noon, or even around 10 am most days during allergy season.
Nemo's allergies have clearly improved since we moved. But I think we can help him even more. I re-read previous related readers comments (link in first paragraph) and plan to bug talk to Brad about trying some of your suggestions. I would love nothing more then to see Nemo's allergies improve even more. He is such a personable guy.
4 comments:
He's a sweetheart. I hope something can help him. The Cashel Quiet Ride are the only masks we use on our guys. Even when we ride them they are necessary sometimes. That reaction looks nasty, I'm glad it goes away with some massage. Good luck.
Nemo is really special, a one of a kind horse. It is very obvious he appreciates being cared for, he softens and is so well behaved. We've used the Quiet Rides for years too, on the trail and off. We have to replace them more often, but they are worth it.
I also use the Cashels. I have a bunch. Cowboy came in with swollen eyes last week, but was better the next day. I mask him now. I like the way you keep up with everything on your board. I need one.
One more thing to throw into the mix, maybe research the Little Yellow Pill and see if it would be something to consider on Nemo. Nrf2 is another name for it. I just started Beamer on it for his arthritis.
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