Does anyone else have a pony that struggles with hay fever?

Poor Suzie pony really doesn’t get an easy ride. Not only do we manage her EMS and the constant threat of laminitis, but this time of year brings a whole new challenge: allergies.

She’s already on soaked hay and varying levels of grass restriction, but now we’re also battling pollen. As soon as the fields start being cut for hay, or the grass and hedges begin releasing pollen, her eyes flare up. We’ve had the vet out more times than I can count because she’ll suddenly look like she’s banged her eye or got something stuck in it. Eyes are so tricky, and I’ll always get veterinary advice when they become inflamed.

So now Suzie is on daily hay fever tablets, and we keep eye drops and sterilised water ready for evening clean‑ups. Between her fly masks, muzzles, and fly rugs, she looks like she’s ready for battle — but it really does help keep her comfortable.

It’s a constant balancing act:

avoiding short grass because of the sugars

watching the weather and grass sugar forecasts

managing longer grass and hedgerow pollen

keeping her eyes protected and clean

June is always one of the worst months for her, and being so small, her eyes sit right at the height of all that drifting grass pollen.

If your pony struggles too, you’re definitely not alone. Hay fever season is no joke for the sensitive ones.