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HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Colic, Diarrhea, GI Tract » Mouth, Esophagus, and Liver » Choke: Esophageal Obstruction »
  Discussion on Can feeding at ground level help prevent choking?
Author Message
Member:
Cpacer

Posted on Thursday, Feb 24, 2005 - 9:51 am:

My horse had a choking episode the other night that really freaked-out everyone in the barn. I happened to pull-up right after he calmed down and was quite shocked by what I was hearing from those who witnessed--they thought he was choking to death.

I was very comforted to find your article about choking, explaining the exact same syptoms he had only without the adrenalin of having witnessed it. I can only imagine I would have been more panicked than the horse if I had seen this.

My question is this--he was eating dinner in his stall at the time and his dishes are not at ground level. I'm wondering if since the article states the horse should keep his head down to help dislodge the obstruction, if it would help to prevent choking in the first place if all his meals were served from dishes on the ground.

He was eating pellets with some small alfalfa cubes mixed in and they think it was one of the cubes. I've since removed all the cubes from his feed (switched to alfalfa pellets) and will be getting him a trough to spread-out the food. When the new trough arrives will it make a difference where it's attached?

I'm sharing a copy of your choking article (w/proper credits to you and horseadvice) on the barn whiteboard for everyone at the ranch to read.
Member:
Dres

Posted on Thursday, Feb 24, 2005 - 10:34 am:

Hi CP... if you are still feeding the pellets you might moisten them first.. I had a mare that would only choke on her pellets.. the first bite was always huge and of course too much for her to handle... we started putting water on them, and have no problems since... also .. if I feed in the pasture with other horses.. I always give them hay first to quiet the feeding frenzy, then the reg. pellets that has worked for us too...

hopefully this was a one time thing for your horse..


On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with SPOTS..

Member:
Cpacer

Posted on Thursday, Feb 24, 2005 - 11:22 am:

Thanks Ann, and here I am thinking his pellets are getting icky and soggy-cereal-like on their own from the moist southern air. I was worried about bacteria or mold but I guess that wouldn't develop in the time it takes to wet them down then feed them. I'm going to order a container I saw in a catalog that seals out moisture to keep the pellets fresher until ready to be served.

Since I'm reliant on the boarding facility to do the feeding I'm a little limited in how specific I can get with the feeding regimen. I think there may be others who feed alfalfa and have their cubes soaked so I'll check into that. Everyone said that as long as he's young and has good teeth there's nothing to worry about with the dry stuff, but as most horses probably do he eats very aggressively. They usually have the hay & pellets waiting for them when they come in each night and of course they go for the goods first.

I worried about the rock solution since I've heard his teeth clink on rocks while grazing (gold teeth aren't his style). Hopefully spreading his food out more will help and possibly putting it on the ground.
Member:
Annes

Posted on Thursday, Feb 24, 2005 - 11:26 am:

Over a year ago my TB started choking on his pellets and I started adding water. He has never had another choking episode since. I was so relieved that it was such an easy fix. In below freezing weather, I add warm water. My other three only eat a small amount of sweet feed and it has never happened with them.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Feb 24, 2005 - 6:16 pm:

I am glad you found help and comfort in the article, those type kudos make my day. I don't think feeding on the ground is likely to reduce the incidence cp, but the recommendations above and in he article should help.
DrO
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