Dentist

Equine Tooth Problems & Dental Care

One of the first things done to a new rescued horse is a teeth check by a Licenced
Veterinarian. Many times one problem helping to contribute to the low weight of a horse
beside lack of food is not having had dental care in many years if ever. Almost all new
rescued horses will need their teeth floated. This on Average is a cost of $180.00 and needs
to be done yearly. In some cases if the teeth have not been done in a long period of time
they many need to be floated several times in a six month period to get all of the grooves
and waves that are deep down on the teeth by the gum line.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Your horse may be showing signs of dental problems if he shows any of the listed problems .

Horses who become harder to keep for no apparent reason, who salivate excessively
when eating,
Who eat slowly and with effort, who continuously drop bits of half chewed food
Who show unusually coarse manure are prime

Other behavioral characteristics suggesting tooth problems may include

Unusual fussing with the bit, avoidance of bit contact, irritation when put into a
dropped noseband, head tucking or head tossing,
Poor self carriage and not wanting to have his face and muzzle handled

One of the most common equine dental procedures is floating. Floating is the process of
filing or rasping a horse's teeth. (the term floating originated in masonry and carpentry to
describe the leveling or smoothing of plaster.) Cheek teeth develop sharp enamel points
even under normal grazing conditions. The upper jaw is wider than the lower jaw allowing for
the formation of points on the outside of the upper cheek teeth and on the tongue side of
the lower cheek teeth. Floating involves the filing of these sharp points, removing hooks,
and may include leveling of the molar arcades when necessary.