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HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Colic, Diarrhea, GI Tract » Mouth, Esophagus, and Liver » Choke: Esophageal Obstruction »
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Posted on Friday, Jul 27, 2001 - 12:02 pm:

I just want/need to verify from the article on Choking that I just read on this website what seems to fit as what 'probably' has happened twice with my husband's QH. Just another example of the 'necessity and completeness' of this website. Thanks again!

Anyhow, our horses have both been dieting for about 6 weeks now and we are slowly (very slowly) increasing the amount of hay we feed because their exercise and fitness level is also increased. Rest assured we won't be overfeeding or overgrazing any more. Getting the weight off was hard work for all involved.

While on our holidays, my neice, who was looking after the horses told us she thought Jazz was choking one day, saying she was making horrible choking (almost throwing up) sounds and rolling. She thought she'd have to stick the garden hose down her throat to clear whatever was there and by the time she had the hose ready, suddenly Jazz was up, fine, and back to the hay tub. Incident over, we thought.

Last night my husband witnessed a similar attack which he described as exactly what my neice saw and explained to us. It too, was fortunately very short lived - by the time he thought he may have to do something, it was over and she was back at the feed tub.

She probably does feel like she's competing for food as my gelding can be somewhat of a vaccuum cleaner.

The article suggests placing rocks in the feed tub to make it tougher to get so much at one time. Can someone just elaborate a little on what to do with them? Just chuck them in? Our horses are fed together from an inverted tractor tire (they make great hay tubs). The other alternative I guess is to feed them separately although I would rather not do this.

Any other ideas?

Is what we saw likely what I read?

Posted on Saturday, Jul 28, 2001 - 1:03 pm:

The fact the episeds happen during feeding is highly suggestive that indeed it is esophageal obstruction.

Whether chucked of carefully arranged yes you put them is using a number, size, and shape so the horse must root among them to get a mouthful of feed.
DrO

Posted on Monday, Jul 30, 2001 - 11:25 am:

Hi Dr. O,

I don't know if it's just because it's Monday and my brain is not fully torqued yet, but I'm not sure I get your message?? I get the part that it's an esophageal obstruction, but the second para. has me a little baffled.

Last night we soaked her hay - she coughed slightly, once, and ate with no problems. Could it be the added moisture in the hay alleviated the problem, or is it just coincidence. We haven't put the rocks in yet. Should the hay be almost totally covered with rocks? How big a rock can a horse push aside? We picked up some nice smooth rocks from a local gravel pit, but some are probably the size of an eggplant and I think may be too heavy.

Posted on Monday, Jul 30, 2001 - 2:20 pm:

Hello Sherri,
I see. I didn't understand she was getting no pellets or grain. The rocks are supposed to slow down the consumption of these and I do not think it would be useful for just hay. On the other hand choking on hay is uncommon. Assuming that is what is happening you might want to have your horses teeth and mouth checked and possibly check the hay for anything that may be causing irritation as it is swallowed.

Again, assuming this is what is happening, soaking the hay might help but time will tell.
DrO

Posted on Monday, Jul 30, 2001 - 3:26 pm:

Hmmmm. You don't think the rocks will work in a hay tub? I CAN see that they woud be more effective when feeding pellets or grain, of which our horses get neither during the summer months. She does seem to be "pigging out" on the hay however, trying to compete with my walker for her share, especially now that we're dieting and taking weight off they are especially hungry at feeding time. This problem began about 2 weeks into the dieting however my gelding is experiencing no difficulties and the mare has no problem when turned onto grass, only when the timothy is put in front of them. She had her teeth floated this spring.

Hopefully soaking the hay will do the trick. We'll monitor it for now I guess - man - never a dull moment!!

Posted on Monday, Jul 30, 2001 - 6:41 pm:

Hello Sherri,
It generally is best to feed enough hay so that the horses can relaxedly munch it through the day. Perhaps providing a stemmier hay in more quanity is the proper solution.
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 1, 2001 - 11:45 am:

Yes, this is what we were thinking also. The first cut of Timothy is in the hay shed and the second cut will be coming along soon so we'll be able to provide them with a stemmier hay.

We have also had some rain and the pastures are recovering so we're actually letting them out on grass 2-3 hours per day also. We started soaking the hay and since we started that there has been no reoccurence of the choking.

What about straw in with the hay? Is this a bad idea?

Posted on Thursday, Aug 2, 2001 - 4:44 am:

Most horses will pick through the straw but once the hay is gone most will munch on it. Better than straw though would be a clean stemmy hay as it will contain vitamins.
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Aug 2, 2001 - 10:45 am:

I agree although we won't have any clean stemmy hay until the second cut of timothy - another couple of weeks - we'll have to see what we can find until then. Unfortunately all that's left is last year's ditch hay.
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