Coughing While Eating Grain

[knightrider922]

Before I start, I have vet due to come out this week, but since its the weekend thought I 'd ask and see if anyone has experienced this…

My horse has started coughing recently. At first I couldn’t tell who was coughing and then figured out it was him…he’s 16 and not in work now. He only seems to cough when eating his textured sweet feed grain. No fever, dry cough and only when eating. sometimes when eating hay. I started hosing hay down and noticed that it was the grain.

The last two days I started watering his grain down and it was better. I didn’t put much water in yesterday so he still coughed but tonight I put a lot of water in it. Really the only minor cough tonight was when he had sucked all the water out and most of the grain and was down to some oats. I added more water and he was fine. Also wet the hay down and haven’t heard anything.

Any thoughts on this? The few times I’ve worked him, I’ve had no issues so I’m thinking it might be the oats that are causing the issue? Which is surprising because he has been on this grain for years with no issue. I’m contemplating getting beet pulp and mixing some of that in his grain…

Just curious if anyone has some ideas to help? or thoughts on what could be causing the issue?

[4LeafCloverFarm]

It sounds like he may not be swallowing effectively/efficiently, which can be caused by many things. I wouldn’t be surprised if your vet recommends changing his feed to a pellet that will become complete mush when added to water. Many of the items in sweet feed may get a little softer if soaked for a long time, but they do not dissolve (corn, oats, etc).

[knightrider922]

Wonder if they are going to want to do a scope then??

[Marla_100]

When were his teeth done last time? sometimes that’s the first clue they need them floated- they’re not chewing

properly.

[knightrider922]

I wouldn’t have thought teeth, but that’s a good point. I think he had them done a year ago…or a little less actually. Maybe around christmas time?

[4LeafCloverFarm]

It he has a loose tooth, or a sharp edge on a tooth, he may not chew the grain sufficiently and possibly not at all. I’m sure your vet will check his teeth in his/her examination as to why he’s coughing when eating grain. They may scope as well to check his esophagus, to ensure there are no foreign objects, inflammation, etc.

As long as there is no food coming out his nostrils, he is not in distress, not running a fever, I’d keep soaking his food in warm water until the day the vet is due. If the cough gets more severe, or he is clearly distressed, get the vet out sooner.

[knightrider922]

Thanks…I’ll keep watering down his food and see if that helps. Hopefully it’s something simple and not a long term thing.

[4LeafCloverFarm]

But I’ll add that I’d keep a super close eye on him while eating his meals and for a time afterwards. Choke can be very serious and can go downhill quickly.