WHAT ARE PROTEIN LUMPS OR HIVES?

Protein lumps or hives (also known as urticaria) can be caused by a change in the horse’s diet. The lumps, measuring about 1-2 cm in diameter, are usually solid, hard and painless. However, lumps that appear across the saddle patch of the horse, where there is pressure, may become inflamed or infected. Such lumps usually become quite painful and may also secrete pus. The cause of protein lumps or hives is not completely understood but it is believed to be an allergic reaction to something new in the horse’s diet or environment. An accurate diagnosis would require a biopsy (i.e. the sampling and analysing of tissue) which can easily be performed by your vet. There are other skin disorders with similar symptoms and appropriate treatment can be given, it is important to establish what type of skin disorder the horse is suffering with. The lumps usually disappear by themselves within a few weeks. In some cases, however, the lumps remain and eventually become calcified. Should the lumps not disappear by themselves, it is worth trying a local or general corticosteroid treatment. Should this not help either and the lumps are inappropriately located, they may have to be surgically removed. If the lumps become inflamed or infected, a local or systematic treatment with antibiotics and corticosteroid will be necessary. Avoid sudden feed changes. Ask your vet for advice.