Airborne invasion

THE summer months bring increased levels of specific allergens (a molecule capable of eliciting an allergic response), namely pollens, fungi and insects.

Pollen released from grasses and trees peaks from 5am to 10am. As intact pollen is too large to enter the small airways of the lung, it is deposited on the horse’s skin and in the upper respiratory tract, mouth and eyes. Rain and moist conditions can cause pollen to shatter, liberating much smaller particles that can enter the lung.

Fungi exist in a symbiotic relationship with many grasses, and within hay are already implicated in stable-associated asthma. These fungi are also present on