The Way Of Horses

By Eleanor Richards
© Copyright 2006

Your horse is choking.

Will the Heimlich maneuver help him? Can it be performed on a horse?

There is a difference between a horse choking and a human choking.

The horse has a blocked esophagus (tube from the mouth to the stomach). He can still breathe. The human has a blocked trachea (windpipe). He cannot breathe and death is imminent. The object in the human must be dislodged within minutes of the blockage occurring.

The Heimlich maneuver will help the human, but not the horse. The Heimlich maneuver forces air out of the lungs, into the trachea and dislodges the object.

Go to http://www.cammarata.com/reference/heimlich.html for more information about the Heimlich maneuver.

A horse chokes because a foreign object is blocking the esophagus. This object may be an apple, corn cob, hay cube, a wad of improperly chewed feed, baler twineanything that has been swallowed whole. The equine esophagus could also be blocked by a growth (tumor) or scar tissue from trauma (a previous choke episode or damage to the sensitive tissue because of a medical procedure).

Symptoms of choke in horses:

• Heavy nasal discharge that contains bits of feed and white foamy saliva
• Excessive salivation
• Stretching and extending the neck
• Attempts to retch
• Inability to swallow
• Coughing and blowing out feed through the mouth and nose

Call your veterinarian and remove all feed as soon as you see any of these symptoms. Even though the horse can still breathe this is a medical emergency. Prolonged obstruction can cause scar tissue. Aspiration of fluid in to the lungs can cause pneumonia.

The veterinarian will flush the esophagus with fluids to try and dislodge the object forcing it into the stomach. A tranquilizer may be administered to get the horse to relax and lower his head.

If it is determined the object is too large to dislodge with lavage (flushing) or if the object is not digestible surgery will need to be performed. An incision into the esophagus will be made to remove the object.

After the object is removed or forced in to the stomach the veterinarian may want to use an endoscope to determine how much damage was done to the sensitive tissue.

During the healing process the horse should be fed soft gruel. One of the senior or complete feeds works well. These products contain the fiber a horse needs and are designed to be soaked. Follow the feeding directionssmall frequent meals are going to be needed. Hay and pasture should be avoided until the healing is completed.

The amount of damage done to the esophagus will determine how long the horse needs the special diet; its possible he'll be on it the rest of his life.

To prevent choke do the following:

• Avoid large chunks of food treats, apples, carrots
• Avoid grass clippings
• Avoid poor quality forage or hay (overly mature and stemmy)
• Avoid feeding after sedation
• Avoid leaving foreign objects within reach (remove the baler twine!)
• Place several large rocks in the feeder if the horse bolts his feed
• Soak the feed for senior horses, horses with poor teeth or a previous history of choke
• Chose a feed designed to meet the nutritional needs of the horse and can be offered as a gruel - if needed
• Make sure the horse is receiving proper and regular dental care

Wrap your arms around your horses neck for a hug (not for the Heimlich maneuver) and practice good management. Most choke episodes can be avoided.

Proper nutrition and management practices can prevent many problems associated with caring for horses. You can learn how to provide your horse with a better life-style by taking the online course "How to Feed for Maximum Performance" taught by Eleanor Richards. Go to www.horsecoursesonline.com for more information. Contact Eleanor at elrichards@thewayofhorses.com or (440) 554-3714. Be sure to visit Eleanor's web site at www.thewayofhorses.com

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Eleanor Richards was raised training and caring for horses. She learned to ride and care for the horses her family bought and sold. Many of these horses required improved nutrition when they arrived for training. Eleanor's experience and research has benefited both horses and horse lovers in the field of equine nutrition.

The equine nutrition consultant for Western Reserve Farm Cooperative, located in northeast Ohio, she keeps busy doing equine nutrition consultations, conducting seminars, and speaking to youth groups about horse care and nutrition. Eleanor is the author of the syndicated column The Way of Horses. She has more than 20 years experience helping and being a mentor to those wanting to know how to provide the very best care and nutrition for our special friend - the horse. Richards is also the author and instructor of the online course "Nutrition for Maximum Performance". This course is offered by Breyer State University as part of the Bachelor of Science in Equine Studies program, New Mexico State University, Paradise Valley Community College, Allegany College of Maryland, Scottsdale Community College, Iyuptala University, and Success is Easy's certified Professional Horse Trainer program. Visit Eleanor's web site at www.thewayofhorses.com or contact her at (440) 554-3714