Choke 
“The Scary Not-Actually-Choking Emergency”
“The Scary Not-Actually-Choking Emergency”Picture this…
You’ve just fed your horse. He’s a keen bean, takes a massive mouthful, forgets to chew — and suddenly he’s coughing, distressed, with food coming out of his nose.
That’s choke as we know it — but here’s the important bit:
He isn’t actually choking.The airway is fine. The problem is that food is stuck in the oesophagus.
I’ve also heard:
• “My horse is vomiting” (hot tip: horses can’t vomit)
• “He just looks sad and snotty” — which can also be how choke presents
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Signs of choke:
• Coughing or gagging
• Food, saliva, or green slime from the nostrils
• Distress or stretching the neck
• Going off feed
• Quiet, dull behaviour with a snotty nose
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Good news:
Most chokes resolve on their own within 20–30 minutes.
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What TO do:
• Remove all food immediately
• Keep the head low
• Stay calm — your horse will take cues from you
• Gently rub the neck to encourage relaxation
• Give them a bit of time and space to sort it out
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When to call:
• If it hasn’t resolved after 30 minutes
• If food or saliva continues to come out the nose
• If the horse won’t eat afterwards
• If choke episodes are recurrent
A vet visit helps clear the blockage safely and reduces the risk of aspiration pneumonia.
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Important DON’TS:
• Don’t force water or food
• Don’t syringe anything into the mouth
• Don’t panic — most chokes are fixable with calm, timely care
Chew, chew, chew your food… swallowing is not a race!
This blog post was provided by Dr Lauren Jones of Kentaro Veterinary Services servicing the Coffs Harbour District in NSW
