[JackandGina]

About a week ago I got a phone call from my friend at the barn saying that Jack was choking and I needed to call the vet immediately. He was seriously choking for about an hour (fluids exiting the mouth and nostrils) and about 15 minutes prior to the vet getting there he seemed to have passed the blockage. I went ahead and had the vet sedate him and stick the tube up his nose and down his throat to make sure everything was out of his airway. About two weeks ago I switched Jack's feed pan from the ground to a more head level spot. I also stopped putting his hay on the ground and started using a hay net. Do you think that this could have caused him to choke? I know horses are natural grazers and should be fed on the ground so I went back to feeding him that way. I also started to water down his grain in more of a soupy mixture so it can go down his throat much easier. Is there anything else that I could do that could possibly prevent this from happening again? Thank you!

 

[Kashmere]

Hey!

Though I do not know for sure if that indeed was the cause, I'd leave the food and whatnot down on the ground
He is used to it and probably developed the good way for him to eat his food.

It could also just be a big piece he didn't properly chew or accidently just shot up in his throat.

However the case, watering his grain should help

Best luck to you and Jack!

 

[equineangel91]

My horse is extremely prone to chocking. He was neglected and used to not be fed, he then started bolting his feed, thinking he'd never see any again, poor dear.

Anyway he gets 2lbs of triple crown complete mixed with warm water and soaked until its about 8lbs total with the water. He also gets about 1/2 a cup of oil, mix it all up, and voila no choking whatsover. It solves it physically because its soft and has that oil, but also mentally because he thinks he has a ton of food, when really its only the 2lbs of feed, but to him it looks like a feast. He does extremely well on this combo. Healthies horse at the barn

 

[mls]

Do you think that this could have caused him to choke?

Horses can choke on anything. (when was the last time you 'choked' when you had a swallow of soda) Feeding from the ground, grazing position is better for normal wear and tear on their teeth.

Bolting food is the most common reason for choke.

If you can get the horse to relax and massage their throat, many times the obstruction will resolve without having to be tubed. Depending on the severity of the choke and what the object was - the horse may need an anti inflammatory and or antibiotics.

 

[churumbeque]

Put some large rocks in his grain bucket so he can't eat it so fast. Feed smaller more frequent rations.

 

[Jessabel]

What kind of grain do you feed him?
My friend's horse will choke on oats. She's really old and her teeth are worn down, so they feed her Safe Choice pellets and she hasn't choked since. Keeping the feed dish on the ground is a good idea.