mountain dew

Question
what if you give a horse mountain dew will its stomach explode?

Answer
Hi Jill,

Very interesting question that I'm certain I've never been asked before!

I certainly wouldn't suggest giving significant amounts of Mountain Dew (or any other carbonated beverage for that matter)to a horse.  Mind you, I have seen it done intentionally to beef cattle before going into the show ring to make them look all big and round.  Again....NOT recommended, even for the cattle!

Horses (unlike people or cattle) lack the ability to burp, so any gas that gets down the esophagus most certainly will not make it back up on it's own.  You could tube the stomach to relieve the gas pressure if need be.  The gas would probably make it's way through the digestive system to the hindgut before it would rupture the stomach. This could potentially cause a gas colic...painful but doubtful to result in a rupture.

If this is an isolated incident, there's probably no reason to panic...I've never seen one explode and the gas will probably work it's way out.  You could always have your horse tubed.

If the question is...'Is it a safe practice'...the answer is definitely NO.  Those cows had to be hand walked for hours and tubed...and didn't even place in the class!

Unique question Jill, Thanks
Corlena