allergic

Question
QUESTION: We have found my horse is allergic to all grass except alfalfa. Is there any cheaper hay that I could give that would be as good as alfalfa? We just started him on injections.

ANSWER: hi susan,
well if hes allergic to sll grasses except alfalfa then i would stick to alfalfa. you could try bermuda hay it is a bit cheaper but make sure you watch him to see if he has a reaction. i assum he is on Quartazone so that should keep his allergies under control. but try the bermuda grass or a alfalfa grass mix, if hes allergic then keep him on pure alfalfa.  good luck and if you have any other questions then just come on back and i cant help.
good luck
amanda groff

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Amanda, A lab in Tx. made up his injections we give small amount every 3 days till we get to 1 cc then we give him 1 cc monthly. I am hoping when we get further along with the injections he will be able to begin eating grass again. We had to pay $220 for 3 months of injections and I had to pay $15.00 for a bale of alfalfa. I read that peanut hay was equvalent to alfalfa but half the cost. Are you familiar with peanut hay?I am trying to find something to help with the itching till the injections take effect. So far I haven't found anything to help. The vet said to get the Quartazone and give him but I have been putting it in his feed but not helping. Thanks for your help. Susan sduet1@mobiletel.com

Answer
hi susan,
i was not familiar with this type of hay. i did some reading about it and it sound like a good try. it seems like the main state that produces it is Florida. im not sure if your feed store would carry it. here are some names and numbers of companies in Florida that carry they hay. and their location.

name          location          number
Adams, Nolan J.          Lauren Hill     (850) 834-3881
Basford, Steve          Grand Ridge      (850) 592-6715
Boan, Josh          Pinetta         (850) 929-2009
Caruthers,David          Wildwood       (352) 303-4345
Claybaugh, Ken          Greenville     (850) 838-3025
Collins, C.W. "Pete" Jr.   Live Oak   (386) 842-2933
Cone, Richard and Lindy   Greenville  (850) 973-2399
Eugene Rooks     Brooksville        (352) 796-8484
Lloyd, William and Jenny, Haystack Farms Inc.          Lake City     (386) 963-3505
Paarlberg, Jenny          Lee         (850) 971-5707
Rooks, Eugene          Brooksville    (352) 796-8484


so all i can say is give it a try, it sounds like a good hay that meets all the nutrition needs. as for your horse itching, just go to your pharmacy and get an anti-itch cream. something thats cheap and just apply it to the spots where your horse is itching.try to do it at least once a day. i had a Friesian that had the same problem. he would run his stomach and sheath raw. anti itch creams work very well. even when their for humans. also to make him happy, you can scratch his belly button. he may like this very much. try it and see what he does. good luck.
amanda groff