Choking on hay/haylage

Traks

Traks

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Has anyone got experience of a horse choking on hay or haylage? My TB has done it twice now, always in the same manner… he comes in from the field, has a few mouthfuls of haylage and within a couple of mins he starts to choke! So far he’s managed to clear it himself in 5 mins or so… the haylage is very very soft, almost like fine grass!

I am assuming he’s taking big mouthfuls of haylage when he comes in, he has had ulcers recently which were successfully treated in December (scoped clear). Teeth done at the same time. I’m trying to switch him to hay, I know it’s better for his tummy as this haylage is quite high in protein and sugar so not ideal for him… he just prefers the haylage so I’ve been mixing it into his haynet with hay. He was only out grazing for 3 hours today as the fields were all super icy first thing this morning…so it’s not like he was starved all day.

Shall I just persevere with the hay? Would it be better soaked? Or would that make it worse? I’ll obviously discuss with the vet next week but wondering if anyone else has experienced this?
 
Mine did that once a couple of years back on some dry hay. Did clear it but had vet out as was leaving for an overnight show the same day. Can’t remember what she said but possibly might have had something caught round a tooth.
 
A couple of mine have done this, always when there’s limited grass so they’re coming in hungry… I try to make sure the poor starved loves 🙈🤪 now always have forage to limit this, so when needed feed hay in the field.

If you think it’s related to the haylage and he’s not as keen on the hay I’d just switch to hay so hes not wolfing it down coming in.
 
HufflyPuffly said:
A couple of mine have done this, always when there’s limited grass so they’re coming in hungry… I try to make sure the poor starved loves 🙈🤪 now always have forage to limit this, so when needed feed hay in the field.

If you think it’s related to the haylage and he’s not as keen on the hay I’d just switch to hay so hes not wolfing it down coming in.
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I think I’ll have to, we aren’t allowed to put hay in the field 🙄 which is why I tend to get him in after a few hours. Livery rules… its annoying but equally he’s never one for wanting to be out for long or he starts to fence walk (even in summer).

I’ll stick to the hay as I know he won’t gorge it like he does the haylage x
 
Bobthecob15 said:
I think he did going by his race record!!
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Depending on the type of surgery they can predispose to choke. Tie backs and hobdays would be at the top of the list for this, but other types can too. You may need to look at playing with his diet a bit if it continues - this may be enough alone. Get his teeth double checked just in case. A scope would be an option if it becomes a problem.
 
Gamebird said:
Depending on the type of surgery they can predispose to choke. Tie backs and hobdays would be at the top of the list for this, but other types can too. You may need to look at playing with his diet a bit if it continues - this may be enough alone. Get his teeth double checked just in case. A scope would be an option if it becomes a problem.
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Thank you so much, I hadn’t even thought of this being a possible cause. He’s already on a mash feed but I’ll have to consider his hay etc too. He had his teeth rasped and 2 wolf teeth removed in December by the vet so I’m pretty sure that they are ok xx
 
Bobthecob15 said:
I think I’ll have to, we aren’t allowed to put hay in the field 🙄 which is why I tend to get him in after a few hours. Livery rules… its annoying but equally he’s never one for wanting to be out for long or he starts to fence walk (even in summer).

I’ll stick to the hay as I know he won’t gorge it like he does the haylage x
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Yard rules are the worst been there!

But yea I’ve found giving them something they are not going to inhale is best!
 
Gamebird said:
Did he race and have wind surgery?
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That was my first thought, that he has a tie-back.


Are you feeding him from the floor, it can help. ?


Look for a very slight scar here, the curve on the bottom left is the back of his jawbone. DSCN0931WR.jpg


.
 
ycbm said:
That was my first thought, that he has a tie-back.


Are you feeding him from the floor, it can help. ?


Look for a very slight scar here, the curve on the bottom left is the back of his jawbone. View attachment 153938


.
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I can’t see any scars at all, do they not go down the nose for some surgeries?

Yep he’s having more on the floor from now and hay not haylage, he’s eating it all fine so we can stop the haylage and see how he gets on. YO has also agreed to hay in the field so that’s a result!
 
Gamebird said:
Depending on the type of surgery they can predispose to choke. Tie backs and hobdays would be at the top of the list for this, but other types can too. You may need to look at playing with his diet a bit if it continues - this may be enough alone. Get his teeth double checked just in case. A scope would be an option if it becomes a problem.
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That’s very interesting
 
Mine cannot eat haylage, he chokes every time. He’s fine on hay. I think the haylage is too tasty so he gulps it down. I occasionally let him have a few strands but if he can get a gobful he will choke. So hay only. Even on super tasty hay he doesn’t choke unless it’s short. But he can manage chaff ok. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Ps ISH, strong TB genes but definitely no surgery. Just incompetent 😋
 
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