Equine Performance Dentistry
Does your horse have unexplained weight loss?  Does your horse drop food from his/her mouth while eating?  Has your horse started to show some resistance when riding?  If your horse shows one or a combination of other symptoms later listed, you should have your horses teeth checked.

Equine dentistry plays a vital role in your horse’s annual exam.
 Some horses teeth grow slower than others, and your horse may not always require an annual float, but it is diffidently important to stay on top of it and make sure that when you do the annual vaccines that you have the teeth checked.  This will also help from other problems forming due to dental issues.

What does it mean to have your horses teeth “floated”?
  Floating means to contour or smooth your horse’s teeth.  Horse’s teeth are designed to deal with hard grasses, and in today’s world we provide our horses with a much softer diet, causing sharp enamel points and protuberant teeth to develop. Horses that graze, daily, grind their teeth and usually, not always, require fewer amounts of times to have this procedure done.
 
  Did you know that your horse’s teeth will continue to grow throughout their life? 
The average horse has 36 – 40 permanent teeth.  A horse could have up to 44 if he/she has their canine and wolf teeth present.  A permanent tooth for a horse is 10 cm or four inches long and could continue to grow 2 – 3 mm per year. 

Village Veterinary Hospital Dr. McCallister performing a power float on a horse.

Many, veterinary practice’s float teeth with a rasp or file.  The doctors at Village Veterinary Hospital use a procedure known as “Power Floats”.  Using power floats requires a high degree of skill and should only be performed by veterinarians with the appropriate training.  This method is much more efficient and has greater precision.  Our doctors will sedate your horse for this procedure to keep the horse still from moving and also relieve the horse of any anxiety and/or pain.    

Village Veterinary Hospital Dr. McCallister performaing a power float on a horse

Listed below are some symptoms that your horse might show if he/she is having dental problems:   

  • Difficulty Chewing
  • Excessive Salivation
  • Dropping food from their mouth while eating
  • Weight Loss
  • Food particles in manure that is undigested
  • Blood in their mouth
  • Swelling in the face/jaw area
  • Suddenly  resisting the bridle  

If you have any further questions or you would like to set an appointment to have your horses teeth checked, please contact our office at 505-869-2627 and we will be glad to help you.