Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Just What Is Hay?

VydorScope

Recommended Posts

VydorScope Proficient
VydorScope
Posted

We have been avioding taking our son to circuses, farms, etc, any place where there is "hay". Is that wrong? I am not really clear on what "hay" is and if it would be an issue from a gluten standpoint?

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


kbtoyssni Contributor
kbtoyssni
Posted

So I just asked my coworkers, one of whom apparently used to live on a farm in the summers. Hay is dried alfalfa and clover. Some hays could also contain prairie grasses. So I think you'd be ok taking your son to the circus. Although I'm not sure what dried horse food pellets are made of. I do remember someone on here being concerned with horses and wearing a mask when riding and brushing the horse. Maybe you could search for that thread.

RiceGuy Collaborator
RiceGuy
Posted

Here's a link to some descriptions of different kinds of hay: Open Original Shared Link

Daxin Explorer
Daxin
Posted

Vincent,

Yes, take it from a farm boy, hay is the dried up, baled up leavings from alfalfa and other grasses used in livestock feed and bedding. There should not be any gluten in it.

Straw on the other hand is, at least when I grew up, what we called the grain stalkes that were left over and baled up. Normally used for bedding.

Hope that helps.

num1habsfan Rising Star
num1habsfan
Posted
Vincent,

Yes, take it from a farm boy, hay is the dried up, baled up leavings from alfalfa and other grasses used in livestock feed and bedding. There should not be any gluten in it.

Straw on the other hand is, at least when I grew up, what we called the grain stalkes that were left over and baled up. Normally used for bedding.

Hope that helps.

Yes, you are correct Ryan. Hay is just grass usually, which is often what's made into bails, and straw is the grain thats on the fields. I know you've probably seen both these pics but i can show you the difference:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v481/num...yofIMG_4053.webp << Straw, from what i think is a wheat field?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v481/num...an/IMG_3791.webp <<hay bales..you can tell hay is just loose and usually darker. It's also safe to be around..on the farm we don't actually farm anymore, just have some very old bits of alfalfa left and a lot of wild grasses and sprouted schrubs. Dad usually gets a guy to cut it and make bales. And sometimes the grass is knee high and I get no reaction (I am a VERY sensative Celiac)

Hope I help you too. :)

~ Lisa ~

VydorScope Proficient
VydorScope
Posted
  • Author

Well what would be at places with horses/etc ? Circuses, Pumpkin patches, etC/

blueeyedmanda Community Regular
blueeyedmanda
Posted

I bet it would be at those places because they use it in stables and bedding.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Guhlia Rising Star
Guhlia
Posted
Well what would be at places with horses/etc ? Circuses, Pumpkin patches, etC/

Even if the hay/straw were safe, don't horses eat and roll in oats??? I don't think this would matter for circuses and what not, but I'd be wary of pony rides and the like.

Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted

Vincent:

I would stay away from petting zoos. Many times the children will be allowed to feed the animals with various grains and then pet the animals. BIG second hand gluten there.

shayesmom Rookie
shayesmom
Posted
We have been avioding taking our son to circuses, farms, etc, any place where there is "hay". Is that wrong? I am not really clear on what "hay" is and if it would be an issue from a gluten standpoint?

I do take my dd to petting farms and zoos. The straw is often wheat straw and if we're not careful, she does react. This happened twice before we figured out what was going on. Since then, we've managed to go to the petting farm and zoos safely by taking a few preventative measures.

We usually have dd wear a jacket or sweatshirt so that when we're done feeding the animals, we can just remove it and not worry about straw or oats being on her clothing. We ALWAYS bring along wipes and make sure she washes her hands and arms thoroughly after feeding the animals. And in general, we have been going to farms which are in rural areas so there is grass or clover near the pens. Dd picks the grass for the ponies and feeds that to them instead of the straw. It's much easier that way...not to mention that the animals like fresh grass and clover much more than hay.

Push comes to shove....bring an extra pair of shoes and a change of clothes. That way, if your son walks through straw, he won't be tracking it back into your house. And in all honesty, barns can be a bit dirty...so it's probably best to have separate "outdoor" shoes. ;)

I hope that you find a way to work these experiences in without having to sacrifice his health and well-being. It really can be a tough thing to develop a sense of normalcy considering the extreme nature of our kids' reactions at times. I hope it works out for you.

num1habsfan Rising Star
num1habsfan
Posted

When you say farms...did you mean just a friends farm or some huge one with tons of animals? that could make a difference too in how much you should worry about contamination. I dunno what its like in the US, the farms and whatever they have at fairs for petting animals..I grew up in a major farming community..this whole damn province's biggest business is farming :lol:. So i've never done anything more than just go to a friends or relatives place who has some sort of cattle or sheep or horses...

~ Lisa ~

VydorScope Proficient
VydorScope
Posted
  • Author

Think more along the lines of events like Pumpkin Rides, or petting smelly farm animals, those kinds of things. This is coming up agian cause the circus is in town... still not sure I am clear on if that is safe or not. I am just dense today! :blink::huh:

Kibbie Contributor
Kibbie
Posted

I've taken my daughter to farms, circuses, and even let her feed the animals at the petting zoo :) She's 2 now and knows that she can't eat anything with Gluten in it so I tell her that it has gluten in it and we need to wash her hands after :)

Its a royal pain from my point of view because I have to be a watch dog to make sure she doesn't put it in her mouth and to make sure we wash down her arms, hands an fingers right after but from worth it to see her have fun.

We have had no reactions when doing this either! :)

I'm a firm believer that kids should be put in situations where gluten is around them so they learn how to avoid it and what to do if they come in contact with it. Our house is gluten free so my daughter has to learn somewhere :) I know others are not comfortable with this position but to each is own :) As the parent you need to do what you are comfortable with and leave it at that :) :)

num1habsfan Rising Star
num1habsfan
Posted
Think more along the lines of events like Pumpkin Rides, or petting smelly farm animals, those kinds of things. This is coming up agian cause the circus is in town... still not sure I am clear on if that is safe or not. I am just dense today! :blink::huh:

WHAT are pumpkin rides?? Sorry but I honestly never heard of that!

~ Lisa ~

VydorScope Proficient
VydorScope
Posted
  • Author

Pumpkin Rides... best done after the first freeze. Its where you get a huge pumpkin, climb on top out and ride it down an icy hill! Great fun, esply when you crash at the bottom and the pumpkin goes to gooey pieces all over!

VydorScope Proficient
VydorScope
Posted
  • Author
Pumpkin Rides... best done after the first freeze. Its where you get a huge pumpkin, climb on top out and ride it down an icy hill! Great fun, esply when you crash at the bottom and the pumpkin goes to gooey pieces all over!

While I was joking... that sure does sound like fun! LOL! I was thinking "Hay rides" around Halloween.... :)

Cam's Mom Contributor
Cam's Mom
Posted

:rolleyes:

I think it was I who raised the issue of horses previously. My daugter loves them and would be devestated without them. And, while she is perfectly willing to live her life without gluten and not complain about it, living without horses seems to not be an option for her. So this is what we do:

she does not feed the horses, she wears gloves when grooming and riding, she does not muck stalls (which she seems to not mind!). She always changes her clothes and washes her hands after being around the horses. We also limit the exposure to a couple of hours at a time, no long days at farm camp for her. So far we've had no problems.

I see no problem at all with going to a circus in fact I think it is probably a really good idea to go and have some FUN!! I hope you go and enjoy.

Barb

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,894
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Lostcha
    Newest Member
    Lostcha
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      Patiently Waiting to See Results

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      You've done an excellent job of meticulously tracking the rash's unpredictable behavior, from its symmetrical spread and stubborn scabbing to the potential triggers you've identified, like the asthma medication and dietary changes. It's particularly telling that the rash seems to flare with wheat consumption, even though your initial blood test was negative—as you've noted, being off wheat before a test can sometimes lead to a false negative, and your description of the other symptoms—joint pain, brain fog, stomach issues—is very compelling. The symmetry of the rash is a crucial detail that often points toward an internal cause, such as an autoimmune response or a systemic reaction, rather than just an external irritant like a plant or mites. I hope your doctor tomorrow takes the time to listen carefully to all of this evidence you've gathered and works with you to find some real answers and effective relief. Don't be discouraged if the rash fluctuates; your detailed history is the most valuable tool you have for getting an accurate diagnosis.
    • Scott Adams
      Gluten free beer ?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      In this case the beer is excellent, but for those who are super sensitive it is likely better to go the full gluten-free beer route. Lakefront Brewery (another sponsor!) has good gluten-free beer made without any gluten ingredients.
    • trents
      Patiently Waiting to See Results

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @catsrlife! Celiac disease can be diagnosed without committing to a full-blown "gluten challenge" if you get a skin biopsy done during an active outbreak of dermatitis herpetiformis, assuming that is what is causing the rash. There is no other known cause for dermatitis herpetiformis so it is definitive for celiac disease. You would need to find a dermatologist who is familiar with doing the biopsy correctly, however. The samples need to be taken next to the pustules, not on them . . . a mistake many dermatologists make when biopsying for dermatitis herpetiformis. 
    • trents
      How Come Gluten Didnt Bother Me In Italy

      By trents · Posted

      You state in an earlier post that you don't have celiac disease. Here in this post you state you will "be doing another test". What will this test be looking for? What kind of celiac disease testing have you had done? If you have used a Entero Labs it sounds like you have had stool testing done for celiac disease which is not widely accepted as a valid celiac disease diagnostic testing method. Have you had blood antibody testing for celiac disease done and do you realize that for antibody testing to be valid you must have been eating generous amounts of gluten for a period of weeks/months? 
    • Gigi2025
      How Come Gluten Didnt Bother Me In Italy

      By Gigi2025 · Posted

      No, I've not been diagnosed as celiac.  Despite Entero Labs being relocated to Switzerland/Greece, I'll be doing another test. After eating wheat products in Greece for 4 weeks, there wasn't any reaction.  However, avoiding it here in the states.   Thanks everyone for your responses.  
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.