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[HJ]

Yesterday my horse ate a bag of carrots




Like this

http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt70/loveshorses/carrots.jpg

He choked a little and I couldn't get it out then he was fine, my immediate reaction was to call the vet but as he wasn't choking YO said not to straight away.

He seemed fine and we hosed down his throat to encourage to movement but there was no sign of it being there.

She said I should ride to get things moving, so I did, he was fine, we got back and he was fine, I gave him a bit to eat to make sure he was fine and I turned him out.

I haven't slept all night and I've checked him this morning he is ok, I've got the girls from the yard to text me when he has "pooed" in his stable.

What the hell do I do now?

Would you have called the vet?

Before anyone says anything about the bag being there, the bag was in box which he was tied up next to and he knocked in on the floor and got them out whilst I was at the muck heap.

I feel terrible, advise please

[Zayna]

Not sure, but I don't think I'd have hosed down his throat, what if the water had gone down his windpipe?

[tetsmum]

I wouldn't have done the hosing thing either - and I wouldn't worry too much about the carrots....... they eat a lot more than that in the field during the day!

[scottishterrier]

was it just the carrots or the actual bag too?

[HJ]

2 x carrots and the bag :(

[HJ]

Not sure, but I don't think I'd have hosed down his throat, what if the water had gone down his windpipe?

He wouldn't let me do it, he just drank some from it

[Lucy_Angel]

I would think he will be ok... just keep a close eye on him. I agree I wouldn't have hosed either but its been done now. Once he has pooed I am sure he will be ok - but keep watching for the bag to come out!

[Zayna]

I'm so sorry, my reply was a bit useless and sounded very peevish, I didn't mean it to.

Is there any of the bag in his poo? It will probably just slither through his system, maybe give the vet a ring and ask their advice, and perhaps put him on a laxative diet...??

I think I'd be ringing the vet though, not necessarily for a call out, they might have had experience of this and be able to reassure you.

God, I sound so wishy washy today, I'm out of the habit of posting here, sorry. :o

[HJ]

I was looking for the bag this morning but there was no sign of it, YO is poo picking the field this morning so is going to see if she can see it

Talk about major panic stations

[Cazie]

Hosing in the mouth is dangerous under any circumstances!! more dangerous than eating a small bag..
Glad it didn't work :-)

I wouldn't worry to much, but if you are 100% sure he actually ate the bag.. then get some veterinary advice. If you were there when he ate the bag, couldn't you have tried to remove it..

As for the carrots he ate.. don't worry, he'll be fine.

[HJ]

As my post said I was at the muck heap and heard a choking when I ran in I put my hand in as far as I could and couldn't get it out, I couldn't even feel it and he wasn't choking.

He def ate it believe me I looked everywhere for it

[s4sugar]

Hopefully it will pass through but there is a risk that it may obstruct the gut so I would call the vets to let them know and ask for advise. It is a small bag and probably shredded so not the worry a poly net would be.
THB my Vet would say to keep an eye out and call again if you see any distress or change in behaviour.

[mikh]

I would defo call the vets and ask for advice

[x.Moomoo.x]

I think the bag will probably pass through...

Can you ring your vet for advice, just tell him what happend and what his advice is to do?

(sorry I'm no help!)

I wouldn't worry too much though, I'm sure he'll be fine :)

[Sticky's GF]

If its any reassurance 2 winters ago I found a whole tescos carrier bag in a poo in jez's stable. :eek: No idea how he got it or indeed why he felt the need to eat it...:rolleyes: But he lived to tell the tale. Also when poo picking about a month ago I found the same thing in our field, a whole bag wedged in a dried poo. No idea if it was my horse that ate it this time, as there 9 in our field, but none of them showed any signs of colicing.

Just keep a close eye in him and his movements :)

[HJ]

Thanks everybody I will call the vet on my dinner break.

Stickys GF, that does make me feel a lot better, thanks

[Elly Koopman]

There is a chance that the bag is one of these biodegradable corn starch ones so it will have just dissolved :)

If a dog can pass 4" sticks out the back end that I'm sure the bag will surface soon :D

[Gem at heart]

I have been poo picking & found long strips of poo covered haylage wrapper many times! The wind must blow it in from somewhere - i don't even use haylage.

It should pass through, if it doesn't i'd be inclined to call a vet out.

[flashbacksj]

I wouldnt panic too much... but like the others say i would just keep an eye out for it passing through his system but if he seams fine then you can stop worrying so much.

if it makes you feel better i also have a story of a horse eating plastic and living to tell the tale... i was tacked up and ready to go and went to get my hat... as i returned i found my horse had untied himself and taken a chunk out of the brand new (and unopenned) bag of chaff... i arrived just in time to see him suck the bit of plastic in... i tried in vain to retreave it... no luck it had just diaspeared! he is still here and showed no signs of it causeing him any problems...

good lucka nd if your worried just get on to your vet and ask for advice xx

[lauraandharvey]

one of the liveries escaped from his stable
ate 3 feeds (different mixes & supplements)
A FULL sack of carrots, not opened (in the orange netting)
and 2 haynets
in one night:eek:

owner kept him in and checked him over
no vet needed
just watched what came out the entrance!
lots of sloppy runs!!!

hope he is ok xxx

[TEmily]

To add the the stories; my YO's youngster ate a pack of SMOKED SALMON including clingfilm! God that horse is a nightmare!

The clingfilm came out of the other end eventually, not sure about the salmon...

I would ditto everyoune else about giving vet a call.

[Matilda]

In the four years I've had my horse, he's managed to get at a whole sack of carrots (yes the big ones) and scoff the lot, a half bag of grass seed, dried sugar beet and not to mention the usual feeding stuff. He's still here!

[doorstopper]

It's terrible, but these stories have made me laugh so much! :o

[Midori]

To add the the stories; my YO's youngster ate a pack of SMOKED SALMON including clingfilm! God that horse is a nightmare! The clingfilm came out of the other end eventually, not sure about the salmon...

Sounds like a horse with expensive tastes.......;)

Cheers, Midori

[Shanik]

Hopefully it will pass through but if it were me I would phone the vet just for a bit of advice and reassurance. Horses eat all manners of things they shouldn't. My daughter's pony ate a clingfilmed chicken salad sandwich and pickled onion crisps but left most of the crisp bag, he was fine. the cling film appeared in dung in the paddock. We also had a break in artist at a yard once who must have ate goodness knows how much shredded beet and dry bran, she was fine too in her thirties! ;)

Just keep an eye out to be on the safe side.

[julia gulia]

When my horse Barney turned 24 I made him a horsey Birthday cake and put two huge candles on top so I could get some cute pictures. The candles were very large..one large number two candle and one large number four candle.
Whilst my yard owner was taking some pictures Barney grabbed and ate the number four candle :eek: (I think the smell of the yummy cake got to him and he couldn't wait any longer)
That whole day I stayed waiting for him to pass a number two....and a number four :D..which he did thank goodness.
I'm sure your boy will be ok. Please keep us updated .