Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
"Choke" in horses refers to esophageal obstruction, typically caused by the ingestion of dry feed, beet pulp, or large foreign objects.
Unlike in humans or other animals, the clinical presentation of esophageal obstruction in horses involves a characteristic discharge of saliva, feed, and water from the nostrils.
Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze both statements:
- Assertion A: When a horse suffers from choke, it cannot swallow saliva, water, or food. This material accumulates cranial to the esophageal obstruction and is regurgitated. Rather than exiting through the mouth, this mixture of feed, saliva, and water is expelled through the nostrils. Thus, Assertion A is true.
- Reason R: In equids, the soft palate is exceptionally long and fits tightly around the base of the epiglottis (intrapharyngeal ostium). This anatomical arrangement forms a physical seal that prevents air, food, or fluid from moving between the oral cavity and the pharynx during normal respiration. It makes horses obligate nasal breathers and prevents them from vomiting or regurgitating material through the mouth. Any regurgitated material arising from the esophagus or stomach is directed dorsal to the soft palate into the nasopharynx and exits through the nasal passages. Thus, Reason R is true and directly explains the anatomical cause of Assertion A.
Step 2: Final Answer:
Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.