Floating teeth

 Only my horse owning blog readers will understand that post title… for the rest of you who might be interested, explanation below:
 Horses,  unlike some other species who can digest their food even if swallowed whole,  must chew their food well in order to digest it. If a horse’s teeth don’t have a flat surface they can’t chew their food properly and digestion is seriously affected.  Weight loss, discomfort and poor nutrition can result.

 The rub lies in the fact that a horses upper jaw is wider than its lower jaw, which results in a wear pattern that causes the edges of the teeth on the upper jaw to be longer on the outside of the mouth where they overhang the lower jaw. The opposite is true on the lower jaw.  In addition to this,  a horse’s teeth continuously grow throughout their adult life.  Sometimes, razor sharp edges develop that can cut the inside of the horses mouth.

 “Floating”  a horse’s teeth is a necessary part of domestic horse care to insure proper nutrition and comfort, especially when you’re placing a bit in their mouth to ride.  My horse, Opie, lets me know when he is in need of floating. He begins to toss his head when I’m riding him due to the discomfort in his mouth.   Typically, at each annual exam, my horses are given their spring shots and their mouths are examined to determine if they need to be done.  “floating” is actually refers to a method of filing the teeth down to a flat surface.

  Today was that day!  I have used Salem Valley Veterinary Clinic of Salem, CT  for over 25 years to care for our equine veterinary needs.  Dr. Robert Baratt is an expert in the field of equine and small animal dentistry and we’re lucky to have him in this neck of the woods –

Dr. Baratt and assistant Jessica sedate mini Coady,
nestled in their traveling dental “shoot”.
This  equipment is towed behind their truck and they bring it along
 whenever they know they will be floating teeth. 
This lovely mouthpiece makes it possible for the Dr. to view and work inside
the horses mouth without the obvious complication of trying to keep it’s mouth open.
It might look cruel, but it does not cause the horse discomfort and makes for a
safer experience for horse and Veterinarian.
Lacey’s turn…
Waking up from sedation…..
Opie next..
 Can you see that row of teeth on the upper left hand side?
Notice all the dark grooves, and the smooth flat surface.
It’s a difficult job, but someones gotta do it!
Your dental visits don’t seem so bad anymore, now, do they.

16 thoughts on “Floating teeth”

  2. i dread that day – as much as the horses do, i think. the electric filing is better than the old fashioned rasp, but still…

  4. That's almost as bad as having to have them "oiled" with a gallon of mineral oil each because they got into the feed and ate a whole sack of oats in one sitting. :/ Oh the joy of animals. 🙂

  6. I'm facing some pretty major dental work next week … so I know how your horses feel.

    I was thinking about 'teeth floating', referring to another meaning. As in, "my teeth are …" I couldn't help myself.

  10. Oh my eyes!

    Teasing!

    This is why I'm good in the city. I am bad with critters! Although I love those farm eggs. I need a new connection Karen. Can you mail some to me?

    😉

  13. Very interesting, I'm glad you posted this. I am so glad they have someone to take such good care of them. Lucky horses!

  15. Wow Karen, I work for an equine veterinarian and I've never seen a speculum that looks quite like that. That's the thing that holds their mouth open. Pretty cool that they have a portable stocks too. Notice how Opie is looking right at you in that picture?? Glad you're a responsible horse owner/caretaker. Your ponies thank you, I'm sure. 🙂

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