What is what to do when a horse is choking?

Here's some information on what to do when a horse is choking:

A true choke in horses refers to an obstruction in the esophagus, not the trachea (windpipe). The most common cause is food, particularly dry feed like hay cubes or beet pulp, that hasn't been properly soaked or chewed.

Recognizing Choke:

• Signs:
  • Coughing
  • Retching
  • Nasal discharge (often containing feed material)
  • Excessive salivation
  • Visible swelling in the throat area (less common)
  • Anxious or distressed behavior
  • Extending the head and neck
• Severity: Choke can range from mild (clearing on its own) to severe (requiring veterinary intervention).

What to Do:

1. Stay Calm: Your horse will sense your anxiety.
2. Remove Food and Water: Take away all access to food and water immediately to prevent further impaction.
3. Observe: Many mild choke cases resolve themselves within a few minutes to a few hours. Monitor your horse closely.
4. Call Your Veterinarian: If the choke doesn't clear within an hour, or if your horse is showing signs of severe distress, call your veterinarian immediately. Do not attempt to treat the choke yourself unless specifically instructed by your vet.
5. Do NOT Panic and Medicate Unnecessarily: Avoid administering medications unless explicitly directed by your veterinarian. Certain medications could potentially worsen the situation.
6. Potential Veterinary Intervention:
   • Sedation: Your vet may administer a sedative to help relax the esophagus.
   • Nasogastric Tube: The vet may pass a tube through the nose and into the esophagus to attempt to dislodge or dissolve the obstruction.
   • Lavage: The vet may use the nasogastric tube to flush the esophagus with water to break up the blockage.
   • Rare Cases: Surgical intervention is rarely necessary.

Prevention:

• Soak dry feeds like hay cubes, beet pulp, or pelleted feed thoroughly before feeding.
• Provide access to fresh, clean water at all times.
• Ensure horses have adequate teeth floating (dental care) to chew their food properly.
• Avoid feeding greedy eaters with large amounts of dry feed all at once. Consider using slow feeders.
• If a horse has a history of choke, wet down their feed for every meal.
• For older horses or those with dental issues, consider feeding softer feeds.