If food particles or foreign objects become lodged in a horse’s esophagus, the surrounding muscles spasm, causing an esophageal obstruction. Because of the risk of pneumonia from inhaling food particles, an esophageal obstruction is always a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate veterinary care.
Horses that are particularly greedy and gobble down their feed are especially at risk. Remnants of hastily eaten feed, small pieces of carrot, or unsoaked beet pulp can get stuck in the esophagus. The horse’s esophagus is a long muscular tube that uses muscle contractions to transport food from the larynx to the stomach. If a piece of food swallowed too hastily gets stuck here, the muscles work even harder to move this chunk along. This leads to severe muscle spasms, causing the esophagus to become blocked. If this chunk of food presses against the windpipe, the horse will also cough.
The first symptoms of a blocked throat include head tossing, excessive drooling, and coughing. The horse extends its neck downward, and large amounts of foamy saliva mixed with food particles may flow from its mouth and nostrils. If the pharyngeal obstruction persists, circulatory problems, increased respiratory rate, and excessive sweating may develop. There is a risk that food particles mixed with saliva may enter the respiratory tract, causing life-threatening aspiration pneumonia (pneumonia resulting from the inhalation of food particles).
Typical warning signs of pharyngeal obstruction are summarized as follows:
If you suspect an obstruction in the esophagus, you must always call a veterinarian immediately who can treat the condition properly. Until the veterinarian arrives, you can gently walk your horse at a slow pace, if it allows it.
Following a thorough veterinary examination and diagnosis, in addition to medication, an examination using a nasopharyngeal tube may be necessary to check the patency of the esophagus. Before inserting the tube, antispasmodic and analgesic medications are administered to achieve initial muscle relaxation. Light sedation also helps calm the horse and makes it easier for the veterinarian to insert the nasopharyngeal tube, which allows for flushing of the esophagus. The veterinarian uses this to try to break up the stuck bolus of food and move it further into the stomach. If this is unsuccessful, your horse must be taken to a clinic immediately. There, the esophageal obstruction can be surgically removed in an emergency, and your horse can receive intensive care afterward.
If you know your horse tends to gobble down its food, be even more careful about portion sizes and follow these tips to minimize the risk of a blocked esophagus:
If you suspect that your horse is exhibiting unusual eating behavior for medical reasons, please be sure to speak with your veterinarian and have your horse examined by him or her.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace veterinary advice. Please contact your veterinary practice directly.
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