After a day of grazing I brought the horses in and 5 minutes DeL’Aire started choking. Probably from bolting his grain. He meets his grain with an open mouth and swallows without chewing.
He stood with his neck extended and gagging or retching as if he was trying to throw up. Soon after frothy foam and mucous came out of his mouth and nose. I walked and walked him and lead him around the sand ring and grass lawn. All to no-avail
I have had horses with minor blockages before and they usually resolve themselves within a couple of hours. Not THIS TIME
Saturday my poor horse was, still standing with his neck stretched and wretching. The local vet came and tubed him. The vet pushed a plastic tube slightly smaller diameter of a garden hose up his nose and into his esophageous.
The vet returned on Sunday complete with tube and scope so that she could see the obstruction. After we saw it and once again passed the tube we flushed the blockage by gently pumping water to remove the blockage.Prevention
• Choke can be prevented through management strategies:
• Wet the grain. Often pelleted grain swells and obstructs the esophagus. Prevent this from happening by watering the grain.
• To prevent horses bolting the grain, use a large flat bucket that grain is spread into. Don’t use a narrow bucket that will lump the grain and promote large mouthfuls.
• Get your horses teeth floated regularily.
