Ridecamp: Re: [RC] beet pulp - choke

JMO, but because beet pulp has a "tag" of causing choke, I think it causing
choke comes up more in conversation than would a choke caused by any other
feed.  My limited veterinary experience at the CSU teaching hospital has
been similar to what Heidi reported---pelleted feeds of any kind, hay,
grain, foreign objects (like a chunk of carrot) and so on.  Although I don't
deny that it happens, I haven't seen one case of beet-pulp associated choke
at the VTH, despite having done a search of past choke records and this
being an area where A LOT of beet pulp is fed (this being one of the areas
where it's grown).

I think beet pulp is like any other feed.  It has its caveats for some
horses more than others and ways to minimize those hazards and maximize the
benefits. :-)

Susan G


> Angie wrote:<<I've been amazed how many times I've heard the words "choke"
> and "beet
> pulp" in the same sentence.  A friend of mine's young horse choked on
> well soaked beet pulp that she had left over after an endurance ride...so
> you know it was really soaked.  It doesn't make sense, but this isn't the
> first, or 2nd case I've heard of.>>
>
> In 40 years of horse ownership, I have had two cases of choke - both on
beet
> pulp, soaked well.  In 20 years of large amimal veterinary experience, my
> husband has had only 5 or 6 cases of choke, all but two were on beet pulp.
> I feed it, but I am careful to keep the horses from wolfing it down.  I
have
> just three horses and I feed out of ground feeders and stay right there to
> keep them from fighting over it and gulping it.  In my experience, it is
> more likely to cause choke than other foods I have fed my horses.
>
> Laura Hayes AERC #2741
>
>
>
>
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 Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
 Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
 Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp

 If you are an AERC member - PLEASE VOTE in the upcoming By-Laws 
 Election!!!! (it takes 2/3rds to tango!!)

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