However, once the larvae mature in late summer or early fall, all the wasps begin seeking food solely for themselves – and the competition can get fierce. The wasps seek out sugary foods, and become more aggressive and resolute in their quest. Wasp stings to both horses and humans are more common in the fall.

If riders come upon aggressive wasps while trail riding, leaving the area as quickly as possible can minimize the stings. If the group is large, splitting into two groups, one that has passed the wasps and those not yet to the danger area. Horses that are stung tend to buck, so the possibility of being unseated and landing in the middle of the swarm is real.

Once all riders are safely away from the wasps, check over both horses and riders for stings. If a horse has been stung, he may have localized swelling at the site of the sting, and some may break out in hives. If hives appear, the horse's veterinarian may prescribe anti-inflammatories or steroids. Few horses develop systemic anaphylaxis to wasp venom, but if the stung horse is having trouble breathing, a call to the vet is in order.

Read more at EQUUS magazine.

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Unlike a choking human, a choking horse is not at risk of imminent death because the organs used to swallow food and to deliver air to the lungs are not shared in the same way there are with people, so a food obstruction will not hinder a horse's breathing. Still, a choking horse should be kept quiet and away from food and water, either until he passes the obstruction or until a veterinarian can be called in to assist. A vet will pass a tube down the esophagus and try flush the blockage down with water. 

If a horse chokes repeatedly, it's worthwhile to investigate the cause, Dr. Melina Freckleton tells EQUUS. The first step is to check the horse's teeth, in case dental problems are inhibiting the horse from chewing and swallowing properly. 

If that doesn't uncover a cause, it's time to dig a bit deeper and see if he has physical or behavioral issues that are causing him to choke. Look first at how the horse is fed — is he fed in a quiet stall with no neighbors harassing him, or is he fed on a fence line where he must bolt his food to get anything to eat? A horse that eats too quickly is more inclined to choke.

To determine if there is a physical issue that's causing a horse to choke, taking a closer look at the esophagus is key. The vet will snake a long endoscope down the horse's esophagus to see if any injuries have caused scar tissue that make the esophagus more narrow, causing food to get trapped. In other cases, the esophageal wall can weaken, allowing a pocket where feed can accumulate.

A horse that chokes repeatedly can cause and worsen damage to his esophagus, and potentially develop aspiration pneumonia, a serious health issue. It's imperative to find out why a horse is choking and to make management changes to prevent its recurrence. 

Read more at EQUUS magazine. 

The post When Is Choke Not A One-And-Done Emergency For Horses? appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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