Choke - Again arghhhhhh

AmyMay

AmyMay

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Ok, so following on from a post I made a couple of weeks ago about Thumper choking, I though that we'd cracked the problem.

His feed is now thoroughly soaked, and fed sloppily. However last night he choked again. There's not pattern to when he does it - so am now looking at other alternatives.

So I will continue feeding him very well soaked feed, but am also going to put a brick in his bucket.

Thoughts????
 
I used to put a brick in Osc's bucket to slow him down, these days I give him a swede as he likes to munch on them and also they roll around and get in his way more effectively that the brick.
 
AM - what are you feeding? Just wondered if feeding something 'like' Ride and Relax which is designed to be fed pre-soaked would help as it just crumbles into a mash. If it is because he is simply bolting his feed I would a large salt lick in his manger - the flatter and wider the manger/bucket the more he has to chase his feed around it.......
 
I can't remember what you said you were feeding him now. Is there any chaff type feeds in it? If so, I would consider changing to something pelleted that will soak to a smooth mash - sugar beet, fibre cubes, alfafa pellets etc - so there are no big particles to form an obstruction.

If you think he is rushing his feed then something in his manger will help, plus making sure he has hay before his feed so he is not too hungry when he gets it.
 
He's getting

Pony Cubes
Blancer
Alfa A

Bugger won't eat any hay when he first comes in - and yes I definately think it's because he's bolting his feed.....

How would Alfa pellets compare nutrition wise with teh Alpha A do you think??? Although I may well be stopping the Alpha A all together. Following on from a 'conversation' with another forum member I've been wondering if it contributes to his grumpiness.
 
From Dengie website: Alfa A Original 14% protein 27% fibre 10MJ Digestible Energy per kg

Alfafa pellets - 16% protein, 32% fibre, 9 MJ Digestible Energy per kg
 
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Have you tried Fibrebeet? My friend feeds it to her TB along with a balancer and he's kept condition on all through the winter.

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Thanks Tabitha - he actually get's very little hardfeed. He's a suprisingly good doer, so deosn't really need it. He's just a greedy little so and so.

I put a swede in his bucket last night - which did slow him down. However, half the bloomin swede disappeared as well
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Hey ho all trial and error I supose.

thanks all.
 
Meg demolishes her swedes overnight too
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How about putting a large cabbage in his feed bucket? It's a lot less appetising, according to the bits spat out in Meg's stable this morning
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I won't be hold responsible for the after effects if he does like cabbages!!!
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Im sure you have, but has his teeth been checked?

When horses cant masticate (chew) efficiently, they cannot break fibres down sufficiently enough to swallow without choking. This is due to a dental problem.
 
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I wouldn't like to get on him if he does like cabbage-fuel
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T'other thing that slowed Meg down was a himalyan rock salt lick - it's designed to be hung up, but I just left it in her feed bucket . It's round so rolls around a bit. I got given it, but I don't think they're that expensive...
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It lasted for months!
 
[ QUOTE ]
Im sure you have, but has his teeth been checked?

When horses cant masticate (chew) efficiently, they cannot break fibres down sufficiently enough to swallow without choking. This is due to a dental problem.

[/ QUOTE ]
He had them done about 6 months ago - so yes is due for a check up. It has been on my mind that this could be contributing to it. But wasn't 100% convniced as he only ever does it in the evening with his tea, and never with hay.
 
i second the idea of the himalayan salt lick. so sorry to hear that feeding him soup hasn't been enough... it's working so far with my piggy (choke 3 times in 3 weeks requiring vet attention, must be some sort of flipping record.)
i think i'd put lots of big pebbles in his feed bowl (i got them from local garden centre, couldn't find big smooth ones locally) so he has to chase them out of the way for every mouthful.
maybe feeding oil in the feed might help it slip down a bit more? just a thought.
 
Yes Vicks, they are a little short of grass, so would account for the scoffing. And am already feeding him oil.

And have just put the phone down to the dentist!

So all avenues covered. Sloppy wet food, something in the bottom to slow him down and dentist comming for a look see.

Will let you all know how we get on.
 
Not sure if you have already tried this but how about putting the "hard" feed in a ball? Oscar used to have one ball at night with just carrots in to keep him amused but since his colic and being on box rest, our vet suggested putting all his "hard" feed in a couple of balls and spread throughout the day. We got a couple of the smaller ones which are less expensive.

I also do this for one of my cats - she used to scoff her food and then be sick so I got her one of those doggy things which she now gets her biscuits in and it slows her down perfectly
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My mare is very prone to choke - she has no teeth probs or anything and doesn't bolt her feed. When she was younger she once has to be tubed three times in four days!!!

All her feed is now soaked for abt 8 hours before feeding and she has plenty of chaff to make her chew. She is always fed from the floor and her hay is soaked first too. Also, I always give her the hay abt 10 mins before hard feed so she doesn't feel quite so desperate!!! She still gets choke sometimes but touch wood she hasnt had it since last October
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