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  Discussion on Help, horse ate tack sponge
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Member:
Lindsey

Posted on Friday, Feb 24, 2006 - 9:41 pm:

I don't know what's wrong with my horse. I just had him in the washstall earlier and -yes, my fault- I had a few little round tack sponges still laying on the floor from cleaning bridles earlier. I still had him on the leaDrOpe but admittedly I wasn't paying too much attention, thinking he was rubbing his nose, turned out he was eating a tack sponge. I desperately tried to get it out of his mouth, but too late, he had already swallowed it.
I instantly called my vet, but she said there isn't anything she can do at this moment, I just have to watch him and hope he'll poo it out in a few days.
I feel so horrible now.
Could he colic from this? How long would it take him to move it out of his system. 1 day, 2 days?

Only last week after riding, we walked out of the arena onto the gravel path and suddenly he stops rubbing his nose on his frontleg and the next thing I know he picks up a stone and again swallows it. I have since desperately checked his manure, but have not seen any stone come out. Would it still be in his system somewhere?

This is driving me insane.
I know I cannot trust him in anyway and will have to keep very close tabs on where he puts his mouth in the future.

He is by no means starving, always has ad-lib hay, daily turnout, virtually daily exercise, anti boredom toys, can socialize with other horses, has salt lick, gets an all round vitamin supplement. Why oh why does he eat those things?

Anyone else had a horse that ate a sponge? It was a small round one with a diameter of approximately 2 inches. It was drenched in glycerine soap however. :-(

Thank you,
Patsy.
Member:
Jojo15

Posted on Friday, Feb 24, 2006 - 11:38 pm:

Sorry i can't help with the sponge. And i hope it does come out the other end. Was it a natural sponge? or man made. i wonder if natural sponges will break down over time if in fact it wont come out... let's hope...

I wanted to reply because i was wondering if your reaction to his bad behavior (antics) are getting a rise out of him. and he some how finds this playful? or likes the outcome when he pulls this crap. I know a horse isn't like a dog in training. But is there any thing you did to positvely reinforce this bad behavior?

Also, ask your vet about some flax seed and mash to help it come out a bit quicker. It softens the stool. But don't try it till you ask the vet in case it could make it worse.

For the future i suggest looking into a grazing muzzle of some sort.
Member:
Lindsey

Posted on Saturday, Feb 25, 2006 - 8:32 am:

Hello joj,
No I don't think it was a natural sponge. Just one of those little rounds you pick up in the tackshop to clean leather with:-(

I did ask my vet about feeding extra oil or so, but she said that the sponge will already have been saturated with the leather soap (glycerine), so no extra oil was necessary. She just wanted me not to change anything and keep his feeding routine as usual as not to create any upset. So I'll see for another day.

A night has gone by now and this morning he was still looking perky, munching hay, done his normal amount of DrOppings, which were still looking healthy. So I couldn't see anything abnormal about him this morning.

I am just keeping my fingers crossed that this sponge will come back out:-(

As to his behaviour he's a very very playful horse. He's got loads of toys in stable & paddock and plays with them all. Everything within in reach he needs to put in his mouth. I do often get upset with him for that, like when he chews his leaDrOpe or manages to chew bandages etc. I reprimand him with my voice and then open his mouth to take it out, but he'll either keep his mouth firmly shut or quickly try to swallow it, so I can't even get to it anymore.
It really upsets me, but I suppose I'll just have to check his environment scrupulously for pick-able & bite-able non sense.

Thank you.
Patsy.
Member:
Lilo

Posted on Saturday, Feb 25, 2006 - 9:52 am:

Hi Patsy,

Oh those mouthy horses. I have heard they are more intelligent? I would doubt that.
Some time ago, I watched my gelding pull off a paper towel off the roll (it was in his grooming box, but I was in the adjacent corral with my mare). He quickly chewed it up and swallowed it before I could get to him. Did not hurt him, but then I guess a paper towel would be handled by the stomach acids.
Yesterday, I was picking my mare's hoof, and she kept trying to move. I had just thrown her lead rope over the fence between the corrals. When I was done, I noticed that the gelding had gotten ahold of her lead rope and was tugging on it - she was trying to "follow the feel", as Parelli would say.
Hope all will be well with your horse! Let us know how this plays out.
Good luck,
Lilo
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Feb 25, 2006 - 10:07 am:

Hello Patsy,
This is a first for me. I have had a client's horse that became impacted following eating a motorcycle seat and did have to have surgery. So at the first signs of colic this should be considered. I wish I had better news and personally think there are goods and bads as to trying laxatives. A dose on mineral oil would seem sensible but unlikely to change the outcome.
DrO
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Saturday, Feb 25, 2006 - 12:54 pm:

My friend's horse ate her Rolex(!) watch off her arm while she was cleaning his stall. It eventually came out the other end, so I'd just keep a sharp eye out for the sponge and watch the horse for signs of problems. I've only had them eat an earing off my ear. I wear only really cheap jewelry around the horses, if any at all, and no hairpins, etc. as the horses will pull them out of my hair when I'm not looking - like when cleaning feet. It's amazing what they can pick up with their lips and teeth!
Member:
Quatro

Posted on Saturday, Feb 25, 2006 - 9:04 pm:

I feel for you Patsy, I swear when you have a horse like yours and my Levi, we spend most of the time in worry land! Levi is a mouthy fellow too. I had a girl fill out an application, while discussing all of the duties required to work here, one of them was of course the horse chores. Talking with my hands, like I usually do, I flipped the application within lip location of Mr. Levitobeaver (his nickname) "munch munch munch" so munch for that application.
Hang in there, this too shall pass
suz
Member:
Quatro

Posted on Saturday, Feb 25, 2006 - 9:10 pm:

By the way, something that I use with my dog training, that usually works with levi. If he has something inappropriate in his mouth, like the brush, the hoof pick I DrOpped, I use re-directing. Have a pocket of horse treats with you at all times. If he picks up something he should not have, pull out the horse treat, and make him follow you for it. In his following the treat he should DrOp whats in his mouth to make room for something more appealing. It works great for dogs, and most of the time with Levi. Fingers in the mouth usually pushes the object deeper in, and a fight for possession usually ensues. I usually offer the treat, and make him take a few steps, so he has to lower his head, and not just swallow the other object to make room for the new!
It's worth a try
suz
Member:
Quatro

Posted on Saturday, Feb 25, 2006 - 9:18 pm:

P.S. for anyone who thinks this would be positively rewarding a bad behaviour, this is only used when we humans do stupid things like putting things in the way of our investigative animals. Most of the time we are very diligent about leaving dangerous things in our animals paths, but we are all only human!
Member:
Lindsey

Posted on Sunday, Feb 26, 2006 - 8:29 am:

Thanks Susan, that does sound like a good idea the treat bag, stupid of me to never have thought of that. Will start putting that to the test right away.

I had to smile when you said the Rolex went Sara. Well he has indeed already broken 2 of my watches, chewing the glass of the top. I give him a cuddle and hop bites watch.

Well, so far no sponge to be seen, but he's still acting perfectly normal. I even did a half hour walk under the saddle with him yesterday to keep things moving and will do so today.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed so far he seems to be doing fine.

It's very hard however because I almost feel as if I ought to go and live with him in his stall. And he'd probably love the attention too :D

Well, I'll keep you all posted.
Regards, Patsy.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Feb 26, 2006 - 10:23 am:

Patsy I would love to know the size and makeup of the sponge and whether he chewed it or swallowed it whole. This will help others in a similar situation.
DrO
Member:
Lindsey

Posted on Sunday, Feb 26, 2006 - 11:49 am:

Hello Dr O.
This is a link to a picture of what they look like. (https://www.smartpakequine.com/ProductClass.aspx?productclassid=344)
They are about 2 1/2 inch in diameter and just under an 1 inch thick. They're polyester sponges I found out by now.

He certainly chewed it, not sure if he swallowed it as a whole or managed to break it up somehow. The sponge was overly saturated with glycerine soap, certainly not dry.

I hope no one ever has to come across the same problem. But it's indeed good to know for others.

Still no sight of it.:-(

Regards,
Patsy
Member:
Kari

Posted on Sunday, Feb 26, 2006 - 6:18 pm:

To Sara: what happened to your friend's rolex? I'm sure that had it been a timex it would have taken the licking and kept on ticking (pun intended).
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Sunday, Feb 26, 2006 - 8:50 pm:

Since her husband had given it to her for Christmas, she didn't want him to know what had happened, so she cleaned stalls herself for several days, meticulously searching every clump of poop for her watch. It showed up in a day or so and she wrapped it in a baggie, to it to the jeweler, had it cleaned, and wears it still...just not to the barn.
Member:
Corinne

Posted on Sunday, Feb 26, 2006 - 11:22 pm:

Sara I could only imagine how she explained that one to the jeweler! :-)
Member:
Lindsey

Posted on Monday, Feb 27, 2006 - 11:19 am:

Hello everyone.
Good news! Big relief. Need I say more?
Sponge appeared. He must have let go of it during the night.
It was deformed and looked more like a round ball. You could see some undigested grain stuck in it.
So I think I can now catch up on some sleep and maybe my food will be more tasteful again.
Since the incident I had lost all appetite, my horse however has been completely unaware of it all. As far as he's concerned life has been as always.:-)
Thank you all for your support.
Patsy.
Member:
Redalert

Posted on Monday, Feb 27, 2006 - 11:50 am:

Congrats, Patsy ... I have been following your posts, and am glad to hear of the good outcome (no pun intended!) Now, go get a well earned good night's sleep!
Nancy
Member:
Cheryl

Posted on Monday, Feb 27, 2006 - 12:24 pm:

Great news, Patsy. Have been hoping for this.
Cheryl
Member:
Tangoh

Posted on Monday, Feb 27, 2006 - 12:46 pm:

Well, at least he should be all squeaky clean on the inside now too!
Member:
Green007

Posted on Monday, Feb 27, 2006 - 1:07 pm:

I have been lurking on this post but I am SO happy for you and your horse.

Horses just take you to the emotional limit sometimes, don't they?
Member:
Leilani

Posted on Monday, Feb 27, 2006 - 2:44 pm:

Great news!!! I know how I feel when something is wrong with the critters. Time seems to slow for us and continues on for them. Leilani
Member:
Corinne

Posted on Monday, Feb 27, 2006 - 3:17 pm:

Fantastic! They say you are what you eat.....may he be a sponge when it comes to his training...
Member:
Quatro

Posted on Monday, Feb 27, 2006 - 7:07 pm:

Only horse people rejoice at Poop! Congrats Patsy, sleep well.
suz
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 28, 2006 - 6:49 am:

Excellent Patsy, frankly with my experience with the motorcycle seat, I was a bit worried.
DrO
Member:
Lindsey

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 28, 2006 - 10:55 am:

Yes, I have been feeling really happy ever since. Smile on my face. Luck has definitely been on our side.

Haha, all the replies I've received make me feel like I am some sort of hero, although I didn't really do much, apart from sitting around staring at poos. :-)

I swear these horses do take it out of me sometimes. No wonder I can see grey hairs appear before my age. :-(
I have never had worries as intense and heartwrecking ever since I owned horses, before that things never seemed all that bad. Now, one of them twitches a muscle or puts down a foot wrong or ... and it seems like the world has come to a complete standstill.

But reading posts on this board makes me feel like I'm not the only one living in 'horse worry land'.

Thanks all,
Patsy.
Member:
Lilo

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 28, 2006 - 11:56 am:

Congratulations, Patsy. That sponge held together a lot better than the paper towel my gelding ate ....
Lilo
Member:
Vickiann

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 28, 2006 - 5:45 pm:

Hooray! Great news -- happy the sponge reappeared!
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