Chronic choker - so what treats are safe if any at all?

[Lieslot]

PFfffffff, just had another scary choking episode. The last one was just a couple of weeks ago.
I'm good about souping his am & pm feed, soaking hay etc, but today I screwed up giving him 2 Rounders (very soft crumbly cookie from Tractor Supply) in passing whilst out in pasture.
Luckily this is the first choke he managed to resolve himself, eventhough I was already calling out the vet.

So yes, my fault, I should have thought twice before giving him a treat, big DUH on me :o.

So what do you treat a chronic choker then? :confused:
Would pastel mints be safe?
Thanks, L.

[jaimebaker]

I give my two that are prone to choke generic vanilla wafers. They are VERY crumbly. Literally sort of 'melt in your mouth' kind of thing. I haven't found any sort of horse treats made for horses that are soft enough for those prone to choke.

[Renn/aissance]

Sugar cubes melt in their mouths.

[*JumpIt*]

Peppermints seem to be safe.

[Lieslot]

Okay, I too keep thinking thinking minties should be safe, I hope...
I don't want to give too much sugar (on epsm-diet), however perhaps just the odd sugar-cube isn't really gonna be all that much worse then a few minties though.

I already stopped giving carrots, but what about an apple? That's probably still okay too, right? Or has anyone known a horse choke on an apple too? Thx.

[Simkie]

If you've got a chronic choker, I would NOT give an apple. Absolutely not.

Apple SAUCE would be okay, though.

[sublimequine]

I've seen a horse that choked on apples and carrots alike. The vet told the people to just stop giving treats entirely.

I think sugar cubes may be okay. :)

[saultgirl]

I don't have any experience with chokers, but a lot of people around here feed bananas, which I think would be safe?

[foxrider]

Hey Everyone... new here and LOVE this message board!
So, I have a little Half Arab that chokes just looking at an apple, let alone crunchy horse cookies. My solution? When I have time, I microwave small pieces of apple 'til soft
(carrot slices take a bit longer ), take to the barn and add to hot water-soaked pellets/supplements.

[InstigatorKate]

How about the shredded carrots you can find now at the grocery store? (much to my salad's delight!)

[Liberty]

Though not soft, they're very small, and my horses love them: dried peas. Just a small handful (as in maybe 8-10 peas). Not only are peas good for them, they're inexpensive - less than a dollar a bag, and a bag lasts a long time.

As for those Rounders cookies, I had a box of those, and I ended up breaking them up into smaller pieces since my gelding had a tendency to choke on them.

[jaimebaker]

Okay, I too keep thinking thinking minties should be safe, I hope...
I don't want to give too much sugar (on epsm-diet), however perhaps just the odd sugar-cube isn't really gonna be all that much worse then a few minties though.



They make sugar free puffy mints (like dessert mints but bigger...melt in your mouth).

[Lieslot]

They make sugar free puffy mints (like dessert mints but bigger...melt in your mouth). Oh these sound perfect, must see if I can find those.

I already tried a ripe banana, but he didn't seem to care, might try once more.
I like the pea idea, at least cheap enough.

Applesauce he adores, but I can't walk around with a jar of applesauce :lol:. I might put a jar next to the crossties with a spoon,... gosh I've really ended up with a baby that needs spoonfeeding,...

[Bayou Roux]

How about Cheerios? Pack easy, travel easy, and we give them to human babies and seem to think they won't choke on 'em....

Regular flavor if you don't want as much sugar, but the Rouxster loves her some Honey Nut Cheerios. A couple at a time if choke is a worry...