There are 6 allergens associated with an allergy to horses, this includes their hair, dander (which is flakes of dry skin), urine and saliva.

Equ c 1 and Equ c 2 are lipocalin proteins, in other animal dander allergies this is the protein that most individuals react to. These proteins transport molecules like lipids and steroids around the body.

Equ c 3 is a serum albumin protein, people who are allergic to this protein are more likely to be allergic to other mammals and very rarely can become allergic to eating mammalian meats such as beef, chicken and pork, which also contain these proteins.

Equ c 6 is a lysozyme which is a contact allergen and is also found in donkeys and chickens.

Curly horses are often said to be hypoallergenic, but studies are divided, some say that spending time with curly horses can reduce allergy symptoms over time. Other studies have shown that curly horse hair still contains lipocalin proteins that are a trigger for horse hair allergies.

Allergy to horse hair is strongly strongly associated with allergic rhinitis as well as asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and atopic dermatitis.

A horse allergy can be strongly linked to other animal allergies due to the lipocalin proteins. There is evidence of cross reactivity due to this protein with cockroaches, cows, dogs, guinea pigs, hamsters, cats, mice, rabbits and rats.

In extreme cases there may be some cross reactivity between other foods containing serum albumin proteins. These foods include meats such as beef, pork and chicken.

These food lists are not exhaustive, the most up to date information is on the Cross Reactivity Tool.

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