When food gets stuck in the esophagus it can choke a horse; this can occur if the animal eats too quickly or does not chew thoroughly before swallowing. Although the problem can generally go away on its own, it can sometimes cause serious complications, even life-threatening; because of these consequences, you have to be very careful when the animal is choking.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Understanding when the Horse is Choking
Step 1. Look for typical signs of when a horse is choking
One of the most common is a bump in the neck. When choking, the horse tends to react in specific ways. Even if you notice these symptoms, be aware that the animal can still try to eat or drink.
- Coughs;
- Yawns;
- Arch your neck;
- Drools;
- Breathe with difficulty.
Step 2. Call the vet immediately
If you are not the owner of the horse, contact the owner and inform him of the situation.
Step 3. Stop the horse from eating or drinking anything
The situation can worsen if the animal continues to ingest substances; you must therefore do your best to block access to possible sources of food or water.
- Take it to a stable that does not contain anything potentially edible, including hay; the horse could in fact be tempted to eat it, it is important to eliminate any probable source of food.
- The animal may become dehydrated quickly, but do not allow it to drink water from a bucket.
Step 4. Keep him calm as much as possible
While he is choking, he may become very anxious and restless, which can lead to injury. Do not approach if your safety is in danger.
If necessary, the vet can give him a sedative to calm him down
Step 5. Have him stand on his paws with his head facing the ground
This way, you prevent food from entering the airways, resulting in respiratory complications.
- By making him stand upright, you also prevent him from letting go, which could easily happen if the horse lies down.
- If you have harnesses or a halter handy, use them to hold the horse and keep it on its legs; However, avoid this technique if your safety is at risk.
Step 6. Touch his neck to find the bump
From this lump you can tell where the food has gotten stuck in the esophagus. Don't do this, though, if your horse is too agitated or anxious when you approach.
- If you let your neck touch, try gently massaging it at the lump in an attempt to remove it.
- If it is a soft element like an apple, it is likely to melt spontaneously after 5-15 minutes. If after this time the problem has not been resolved, it is presumably a harder or denser substance, such as a carrot.
- Blockages in the esophagus can also occur due to dry foods such as sugar beets. If not properly soaked, dry foods swell and can cause the same problem. In this case, the obstruction can only be removed with the intervention of the veterinarian who uses the appropriate tools.
Part 2 of 2: Preventing Choking
Step 1. Feed the horse soft food only for a week or two after the accident
For example, you can give him some pelleted food soaked in water.
Step 2. Ensure a steady supply of water
The water helps it soften the food, reducing the chances of it becoming blocked in the esophagus.
Step 3. Prevent some forms of stereotyping (eg chewing or licking wooden structures)
The horse can also choke when it ingests any pieces of objects it tends to gnaw.
Step 4. Make two appointments annually to check your teeth
Keeping his teeth carefully filed helps him chew his food properly before swallowing it.
Step 5. Change your eating habits
By changing the texture of your food, as well as the way you eat, you can avoid the risk of choking.
- Give smaller portions, but more frequently.
- Soften pelleted food with water if the horse is elderly and unable to chew properly, as it is more likely to choke.
- Reduce foods like apples into smaller bites; cut the carrots into strips rather than circular slices.
- Put stones in the manger. If the horse is forced to gnaw around the stones for grains, he eats more slowly.
- Increase the occasions when the horse stays outdoors, so that it has more opportunities to graze between meals; this allows him to slow down the pace at which he eats cereals.
Advice
- Provide the vet with as much information as possible about the horse (what it may have eaten, how long the food has been stuck in the throat); by doing so, you help him to determine the seriousness of the situation and to choose the necessary treatment.
- There is often little you can do to help a choking horse; although very often the incident clears up on its own, stay alert and call for help if needed.
- The horse needs to rest after a choking episode, especially if the foreign body that got stuck has caused damage to the esophagus. For this reason, avoid riding your horse for a week or two after the accident.
Warnings
- If not resolved quickly, choking can cause severe damage to the lining of the esophagus and can lead to respiratory complications. If this happens, the vet will have to intervene with even more intensive therapy and procedures.
- Do not give your horse any medicine unless your vet tells you to.
- Never try to approach a runaway horse, even in an emergency, as you could risk serious injury or worse.
