While I could be wrong, I don't think horses get poison
oak. We are probably the poison oak capitol of the world and I've never seen a
horse get it. They love to eat it! My horse has very sensitive skin
and he doesn't get it. Is there any chance you rode through some stinging
nettles? That might make his legs swell.... Poison oak usually pops
up within 24 hours, rather than a week. I am in it all the time when
building and repairing fences, and (thank goodness!) I am relatively immune, but
I can still get a spot or two on wrists. If the oil spatters on me when I
cut it with a chainsaw, I can get a few black spots ("burns") on my face or
neck...within 24 hours. I just can't picture it taking as long as a week
to show up. JME.
Is it possible for a horse (with
thin, sensitive skin & hair) to have a delayed reaction to poison oak? We
rode through a lot of it on a two day ride and a week later my horse
suddenly comes down with really swollen, stocked up legs. Kind of like
elephant legs, but not quite that bad. Vet is treating the symptoms with lasix
(sp) and steroids, but neither of us has no idea why she would suddenly
swell. Poison oak is the only reason that I can think of.
BTW, I'm covered in poison oak rashes
myself. I had no idea that the ride was so full of it.
