Choke is food stuck in the oesophagus, shown by coughing, drooling, food or saliva at the nostrils, and repeated neck stretching. Remove feed, keep the horse calm, and call your vet. Most cases clear, but do not delay.
What choke is
Unlike in humans, choke in horses is a blockage of the oesophagus, the tube to the stomach, not the windpipe, so the horse can still breathe. It usually happens when a horse bolts dry feed, does not chew well, or eats something that swells.
Recognise the signs
Look for coughing, retching, drooling, food and saliva coming down the nostrils, repeated stretching or arching of the neck, and distress. The horse may make repeated swallowing attempts. It is alarming but the horse is not suffocating.
What to do
Remove all feed and water so nothing adds to the blockage, keep the horse calm and let it lower its head so saliva can drain. Do not try to flush anything down the throat. Call your vet, as many chokes clear on their own but some need treatment and can cause complications.
Prevent it happening
Slow fast eaters with a slow feeder, soak dry feeds and beet pulp fully, keep teeth in good order so the horse chews properly, and do not let a hungry horse gulp a large feed. Adding water to feed and spreading meals out both help.
After an episode
A horse that has choked may have a sore, inflamed oesophagus, so follow your vet’s advice on soft, soaked feeds for a few days. Horses that choke repeatedly should be checked for dental or other underlying problems. Keep a first aid kit and your vet’s number to hand.
