Fact Sheet Fact Sheet ChokePreparing Choke is a relatively common condition seen in and and is typically caused by obstruction of the oesophagus (food pipe) with food; occasionally a foreign body can be involvedthe e.g. wood or Mareplastic. Fortunately for many cases of choke resolve quickly and spontaneously and only cases in which the obstruction lasts for longer than 30 minutes areBreeding likely to require veterinary assistance. It is important to note that this is not the same as the life-threatening conditionBreeding in yourhumans, own wherefoal from the aterm beloved “choke” refers to blockagecan be immensely of the windpipe rewarding, rather but than remember the oesophagus. Thisthat difference it is a long means term that project unlike requiring humans, a lot horses with chokeof can commitment still breathe. in terms of time, energy and money. Consider what type of or you are hoping to breed in terms of size, temperament and ability; as well as the facilities that will be required for keeping a mare and foal both in the first summer and Clinical signs: through the winter. • difficulty/repeated attempts at swallowing • stretching/arching of the neck Pre-breeding Natural Service or Artificial • coughing • food & saliva discharging from the nose considerations Insemination (AI) • drooling Most stop cycling in the winter AI can be done using chilled or frozen semen. Chilled semen can be • disinterest in food months and begin cycling in spring in shipped overnight from the UK and from some places in Europe. Frozen REGULAR DENTAL EXAMINATIONS AND response to the longer day length. semen allows you to use a from anywhere in the world and even • occasionally a lump may be seen or felt TREATMENT CAN REDUCE THE RISK OF CHOKE those who have now died. on the left side of the neck. Breeding an early foal can be more difficult as mares may not have started Natural service is the most economical and may be the best option if the If you suspect your horse is suffering from KEY POINTS stallion you want to use to very local to you. choke it is important to prevent your horse to cycle regularly. Ask your vet about eating as this will make the blockage worse methods that can be used to attempt to Some problem mares have better fertility with AI. • Don’thasten panic! the Choke onset ofis cycling.rarely life-threatening and and more difficult to clear. many cases will resolve spontaneously. The risk of injury to mare, stallion and handlers and the risk of spread of Make sure your mare finishes the disease are reduced with AI compared to natural service. If the obstruction doesn’t clear quickly of its • Seek veterinary advice if the choke lasts more than own accord then veterinary assistance must winter in lean to good body condition. 30 minutesOverweight and mares while have waiting reduced for the fertility. vet remove all be sought. There are a number of steps food to prevent your horse eating and worsening your vet can take to help to confirm and treat the obstructionEnsure the mare is fed a vitamin and the problem. mineral supplement or a complete Choosing a Stallion • Following an episode of choke it is worth monitoring balanced diet. ● Ensure that he has a good temperament and fertility and produces Horses and ponies with dental problems your horse’s respiratory rate (normal <16 breaths/ quality progeny. (that prevent them grinding their food min)Maintain and rectal good temperature foot care and for trimming several days. properly), individuals that bolt their food too and remove hind shoes if she is going ● Consider the size and type of foal that you want to produce. quickly and those fed dry pelleted or cubed • Arrangeto stud. regular dental check-ups for your horse feeds are all at increased risk. to reduce the risk of choke as a result of a painful ● Find out when the stallion is available and if they offer natural mouth.Make sure your mare is wormed and service or AI. vaccinated up to date for equine influenza and tetanus. ● Make sure that you are clear on the terms of the stud fee and what will happen if your mare does not get in foal.

XLEquine - Better Together XLEquine - Better Together XLVets Equine - Better Together XLEquine Preparing the Mare Breeding, Foaling Fact Sheet & Foals BF Pre-breeding Veterinary Examination Ask your vet to carry out a pre-breeding examination on your mare to assessChoke her suitability for breeding and to highlight any possibleChoke fertility is issues. a relatively Finding outcommon this condition seen in horses information at an earlyand stage ponies can prevent and the is expensetypically and caused by obstruction of the disappointment of trying to breed from a subfertile mare. This examination is bestoesophagus performed in stocks (food or pipe) under with food; occasionally a foreign sedation if the mare is bodya maiden. can be involved e.g. wood or plastic. Fortunately The examination will usuallymany include: cases of choke resolve quickly and spontaneously and only cases in which the obstruction lasts for longer ● examination of the thanconformation 30 minutes of the vulva; are likely to require veterinary assistance. ● examination of the vaginaIt is important and cervix usingto note a speculum; that this is not the same as the ● ultrasound examinationlife-threatening of the uterus and condition ovaries in humans, where the term carried out internally“choke” through therefers rectum. to blockage of the windpipe rather than the Based on this examinationoesophagus. your vet may suggest This difference some means that unlike humans, treatment prior to or duringhorses breeding with or pregnancychoke can to still breathe. improve the chances of her successfully conceiving and carrying a foal. Pre-breeding health tests can also be carried out at this time. You will need to check the requirements of the individual UlTraSOUNd ExaMINaTION stud or AI centre. OF ThE UTErUS Pre-breeding health tests: Clinical signs:● clitoral swab for Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM): • difficulty/repeated attemptsthe culture at takes at least 7 days so you need to plan swallowing ahead; • stretching/arching● of bloodthe neck test for Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA); • coughing ● other test as requested e.g. uterine swab, strangles blood test. • food & saliva discharging from the nose • drooling KEY POINTS • disinterest in food REGULAR DENTAL EXAMINATIONS AND • occasionally a lump● mayOlder, be overweight seen or felt and maiden maresTREATMENT are more CAN REDUCE THE RISK OF CHOKE on the left side of the difficultneck. to breed from. If you suspect your horse● Your is suffering mare should from be in good generalKEY health POINTS and be choke it is important to preventup date your with horse foot care, vaccination and worming. eating as this will make● thePlan blockage ahead and worse find out about the• stud’sDon’t health panic! test Choke is rarely life-threatening and and more difficult to clear.requirements. many cases will resolve spontaneously. SPEcUlUM If the obstruction doesn’t● Askclear your quickly vet to ofcarry its out a pre-breeding• Seek examination. veterinary advice if the chokeExaMINaTION lasts more OF than ThE cErVIx own accord then veterinary assistance must 30 minutes and while waiting for the vet remove all be sought. There are a number of steps food to prevent your horse eating and worsening your vet can take to help to confirm and treat the obstruction the problem. For further information contact your local XLEquine practice: • Following an episode of choke it is worth monitoring Horses and ponies with dental problems your horse’s respiratory rate (normal <16 breaths/ (that prevent them grinding their food min) and rectal temperature for several days. properly), individuals that bolt their food too quickly and those fed dry pelleted or cubed • Arrange regular dental check-ups for your horse XLEquine is a novel and exciting initiative conceived from within feeds are all at increasedthe veterinaryrisk. profession made up of independently owned,to reduce the risk of choke as a result of a painful progressive veterinary practices located throughout themouth. United Kingdom, members of XLEquine are committed to working together for the benefit of all their clients. © XLVet UK Ltd. No part of this publication may be reproduced without www.xlequine.co.uk prior permission of the publisher. XLEquine - Better Together XLEquine - Better Together. Go to www.xlequine.co.uk XLVets Equine - Better Together. Go to www.xlvets.co.uk