Horse treats that make horses cough/choke. a warning

[Nezzy]

So i have been having issues with my horse coughing after getting one of these treats. more like it is stuck in his throat. was not sure which treat was doing it, bc i mix the treats up in a jar. My horse’s massage therapist told me her own horses have been doing the same thing with these-all flavors. I think they are so hard and dry that they must get stuck to the saliva in the throat. I am not sure if any of you have had this issue, but i wanted to throw it out there. These treats are loved by my horse, but he is an otherwise healthy 13 yr old, and he just can’t have them anymore.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/dumor-dumor-baked-apple-honey-bakers-bites-4-lb

[Impractical_Horsewoman]

Interesting! I still remember one terrible night at a lesson barn when a horse choked after being given a nearly whole apple by his rider, and the pieces got stuck in his throat when he bolted it down. He was fine, eventually, but it took a long time for it to pass. I’ve seen people with those treats at my barn (I prefer giving peppermints or baby carrots as treats). I don’t think any of them have had that issue, but I will avoid the brand.

[walktrot]

I’ve never seen horse treats with an admonishment to have fresh clean water available. Another reason to avoid Tractor Supply.

[Pally]

My PSA comes from a choke incident with an overly soft treat (Squeezy Buns). Maybe a freak thing but I haven’t fed them again and am sure to break anything soft up before feeding.

[Highflyer]

@walktrot

I’ve never seen horse treats with an admonishment to have fresh clean water available. Another reason to avoid Tractor Supply.

It’s actually not that unusual for treats or feed to have basic, generic animal care instructions on the package. My horses also love these (actually so do the dogs!) and I haven’t had any issues feeding them although I agree they seem large and hard and dry.

[StGermain]

I fed my horse a treat called Apple Wafers and he choked. This was when he was a two year old, I think. I had to get the vet out. He tried irrigating it and softening it, but these are like bricks. Finally he took his rubber tube and basically pounded it through and down. He never got those hard treats again.

One treat that they love is cheap Dollar Store iced oatmeal cookies.

StG