What does this have to do with equine dentistry? Well, it actually pertains to dentists, vets, farriers, and the feed delivery guy. Why? Because we can’t live without you and you can’t live without us. We are partners. It is time to respect each other and watch the great things that can happen. Remember you can only change yourself. If …
Why I Don’t Use Power Tools
Power tools (air or electric) used in equine dentistry can be effective when used by trained equine dentists. What I don’t like about them is the immobilization of the horse for the procedure. Over drugging, mouth jacking, and head suspension goes against every fiber of horsemanship I know. It is not in the best interest of the horse and turns …
Were Your Horse’s Teeth Done Well?
There is no effective way to determine that your horse has been floated well. This is why so many bad equine dentists exist. Modern equine dentists use a light and a jacked open mouth to show you an issue, but using sight is not a complete way to evaluate the mouth. There are other reasons for a horse to have …
How Often Should Equine Dentistry Be Done?
The frequency of floating a horse is variable and is related to the individual horse. Often, we think of prevention on a mechanical device, like how often do you change oil in a car’s engine. A horse is a living thing and not a machine. It is the threshold of pain that determines how frequently you need to float. In …
Purpose Of Floating Horse Teeth
Removal of the source of pain from the mouth of the horse is the primary purpose of equine dentistry. Most problems or pathology of the horse mouth are secondary to pain. An observation over my decades of floating is the alignment of the teeth after about 2 years of dental care. It is as if they were waring braces. In …
Why Equine Dentistry For My Horse?
Horse teeth continually erupt but as they wear against each other and as the tongue strops teeth into razor sharp edges, painful ulcers develop in the associated soft tissue. Many horses object to this pain. The result is poor bit performance as well as disuse of the tooth which leads to local tooth disease and premature loss. I make 1 …
Equine Dentistry Is An Important Part Of Any Veterinary Practice
This is what my mentor told me in 1983 when I was a veterinary student. I believed him. After nearly 3 decades his words are still true. On this day I will witness again the gratefulness the horse shows once his pain is gone.
Does My Horse Need Equine Dentistry?
The day your horse’s teeth are floated is the day all sharp enamel edges are removed and all oral pain is eliminated. The horse chews between 10,000 and 40,000 times a day according to research. The hardness of the enamel varies between horses. The movement of the jaw and the tongue also varies between horses. These two factors will affect …