Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood (serum)
- Fasting: Not required
- Turn-around: 3-5 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday or lab delays.
Benefits
- Accurate diagnosis - ImmunoCAP® technology detects horse dander IgE antibodies with high sensitivity and specificity (Mayo Clinic 2024)
- No doctor visit required - Order online and visit any local lab for blood draw
- Supports personalized treatment - Confirm sensitization before starting allergen immunotherapy or avoidance strategies (AAAAI 2025)
- Convenient preparation - No fasting or medication changes needed before testing
- Reduces asthma risk - Early detection enables interventions that decrease exacerbations and improve quality of life
Who Is This Test For?
- Individuals experiencing respiratory symptoms like sneezing, congestion, or wheezing after horse contact
- People with unexplained asthma or rhinitis who work with or around horses
- Riders, stable workers, or equestrian enthusiasts with allergic reactions near stables
- Anyone considering allergen immunotherapy who needs confirmed horse dander sensitization
- Parents evaluating their child's allergies before equestrian activities or farm visits
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online - No physician referral required; purchase your test directly through our secure platform
- Visit a lab - Get your blood drawn at any convenient local or walk-in lab location
- Receive results - Access confidential results online within approximately 3-5 business days.
FAQ
What does this test measure? This test quantifies IgE antibodies specific to horse dander proteins (Equus caballus, e3) in your blood serum.
Will I need to stop taking allergy medications? No, you don't need to discontinue antihistamines or other medications before this blood test.
How is this different from skin prick testing? Blood tests measure IgE antibodies directly and aren't affected by medications or skin conditions.
Can I be allergic to horses but not other animals? Yes, horse allergy is distinct; however, some cross-reactivity with other animals may occur.
What if I've never touched a horse but have symptoms? Horse dander travels long distances airborne and has been detected hundreds of yards from stables.
Are results available immediately? No, laboratory analysis typically requires 3-5 business days for accurate ImmunoCAP® processing.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
This test detects and quantifies IgE antibodies that signal an allergic immune response to horse dander proteins. When you're allergic to horses, your immune system mistakenly identifies proteins in their skin cells, saliva, and shed hair as harmful threats. Your body produces IgE antibodies, which trigger histamine release and cause allergy symptoms.
The ImmunoCAP® Fluorescence Enzyme Immunoassay (FEIA) technology provides highly reproducible, validated measurements that correlate strongly with clinical symptoms (Thermo Fisher 2024). This enables accurate diagnosis for targeted management decisions.
Who would benefit from this test?
You may benefit from this test if you experience allergic respiratory symptoms related to horse exposure. Up to 15% of exposed populations show sensitization to animal epithelia, including horse dander (Mayo Clinic 2024).
Common symptoms include runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, red or watery eyes, rash, itching, and hives. Reactions can occur from direct contact with horses, handling equipment containing dander, or simply walking through empty stables. Horse dander particles travel considerable distances airborne, making exposure possible even without direct animal contact.
Anyone considering allergen immunotherapy should confirm sensitization through testing before beginning treatment.
When should I order a Horse Dander Allergy IgE Blood Test?
Order this test when symptoms occur after horse contact or when evaluating allergies before starting immunotherapy. Specific situations include:
- Experiencing respiratory or skin reactions near horses or stables
- Unexplained asthma or rhinitis with potential equine exposure
- Before beginning equestrian activities or farm work
- Monitoring allergy progression or response to therapy
- Confirming sensitization prior to immunotherapy decisions
Early diagnosis enables targeted allergen avoidance or treatment, reducing asthma exacerbations and improving quality of life (AAAAI 2025).
How do I interpret the results?
Your results will show IgE antibody levels measured in kU/L (kilounits per liter). Interpret your results using this classification:
IgE Level: <0.10 kU/L
- What it means: Negative – No detectable sensitization
- Typical action: Horse dander allergy unlikely; consider other causes
IgE Level: 0.10–0.34 kU/L
- What it means: Equivocal – Borderline sensitization
- Typical action: Correlate with symptoms; may retest or consider skin testing
IgE Level: 0.35–0.69 kU/L
- What it means: Class 1 – Low positive sensitization
- Typical action: Discuss avoidance strategies with allergist
IgE Level: 0.70–3.49 kU/L
- What it means: Class 2 – Moderate sensitization
- Typical action: Consider allergen avoidance and symptom management
IgE Level: 3.50–17.49 kU/L
- What it means: Class 3 – High sensitization
- Typical action: Consult allergist for treatment; immunotherapy may be recommended
IgE Level: ≥17.50 kU/L
- What it means: Class 4+ – Very high sensitization
- Typical action: Strong indication for comprehensive allergy management
Results ≥0.35 kU/L indicate positive sensitization, but must always be interpreted alongside your clinical symptoms and exposure history.
Component-resolved diagnostics may identify specific horse allergen proteins like Equ c 1, improving specificity and differentiating cross-reactivity from true horse allergy (Cleveland Clinic 2025).
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
Pre-test preparation
No fasting or special preparation is required before this test. You don't need to stop taking allergy medications, as blood testing isn't affected by antihistamines or other treatments.
The blood sample is collected in standard serum separator tubes. Your sample will be chilled and shipped frozen to maintain stability during laboratory analysis.
How often should I get tested?
Initial diagnosis:
- Once to establish baseline sensitization
During immunotherapy:
- Annually or as recommended by your allergist
Monitoring treatment response:
- Every 1–2 years to assess changes
New or worsening symptoms:
- As needed based on clinical changes
Stable, managed allergy:
- Retesting typically not necessary unless exposure changes
Why early detection matters
Early diagnosis of horse dander allergy enables interventions that significantly improve outcomes. Identifying sensitization allows you to implement targeted allergen avoidance strategies, reducing symptom severity and preventing progression to chronic conditions.
For individuals with confirmed sensitization, allergen immunotherapy can modify the immune response, providing long-term symptom relief. Early treatment reduces asthma exacerbations, decreases healthcare utilization, and improves quality of life (AAAAI 2025).
Preventive measures include minimizing horse exposure, using protective coverings when necessary, maintaining clean environments, and using prescribed antihistamines or inhalers as directed by your healthcare provider.
Related tests you may consider
Immunoglobulin E Blood Test, Total, IgE - Measures the total IgE antibody levels in the blood to assess the likelihood of experiencing allergic reactions.
Cat Hair and Dander Allergy IgE Blood Test - Measures the IgE antibody levels in the blood to detect a cat allergy.
Dog Dander Allergy IgE Blood Test - Measures the IgE antibody levels in the blood to detect a dog allergy.
