It's rare but it happens.
Unlike choke in humans, which blocks the trachea, your horse can still
breathe, because the blockage is in his esophagus. If he is unable to swallow, you may see or
feel a bulge in the neck, and he may show signs of distress.
When it does happen, it’s important to keep your horse calm
and, if you are comfortable giving IV shots, administer a sedative. The sedative will reduce the involuntary
spasms of the esophageal muscles. Often
times this, along with an increase in salivation, allows the blockage to pass
without further treatment.
If that doesn’t work, get to your veterinarian as soon as
possible to avoid complications like a rupture in the esophagus or aspiration
pneumonia. Your vet can use a stomach
tube to slowly empty the contents of the esophagus (see photo below) and administer antibiotics
and pain relievers if needed.
Here are some good tips for preventing a choking incident…
- avoid pellet
feeds
- soften alfalfa
cubes by soaking in water before feeding
- feed hard
treats, including carrots & apples, in bite-sized pieces
- good equine
dental care
- lots of fresh
clean drinking water 24/7
If you have a dainty, slow eater, these tips will probably be
enough. But if you have a horse that
“bolts” his food down, you may want to slow him down. Several large rocks added to his feed bucket
is an old but effective trick. There are
also compartment feeders like the one shown below.
If your horses are like mine, feeding time is their favorite
time of day. Keep it safe for them as
well with a little prevention.
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