What Might Cause a Horse to Have What Looks Like Hives All Over?

  • Insect bites or stings: Horses can be allergic to certain insects, such as mosquitoes, bees, and wasps.
  • Certain plants: Some plants, such as poison ivy, poison oak, and stinging nettle, can cause hives when they come into contact with a horse's skin.
  • Drugs or medications: Some horses may develop hives as a side effect of certain drugs or medications.
  • Food allergies: Horses can also develop hives as a result of food allergies. Some common allergens include alfalfa, corn, and soy.
  • Environmental allergies: Horses may develop hives as a reaction to environmental allergens, such as pollen, mold, and dust.
  • Stress: Stress can trigger hives in some horses.