“I wish they could talk.”
It is difficult to emphasize just how important good oral hygiene and dental attention are for the domestic horse. Dental care is sometimes overlooked by owners as teeth are not clearly visible. A check up by an equine dental technician (EDT) is essential for a balanced and comfortable mouth. Prevention is better than cure. What starts out as a minor problem will accelerate over time.
Dental care can help extend the life expectancy of a horse and improve its quality of life. Poor teeth will often result in poor digestion, loss of condition and sometimes even behavioural problems.
Dental problems may be congenital, genetic, trauma related, or due to simple wear and tear patterns that may escalate into major malocclusions (abnormal contact between opposing teeth).
Dentistry can help optimize biomechanical function and improve overall health. Good dental equilibration also saves money in long term as feed is utilized properly and not wasted by quidding or partial digestion. Oral problems can put the horse's body out of alignment as it compensates for the imbalance by redirecting pressure to other areas. This diverted pressure can manifest itself in different ways, for example, lameness and behavioural problems such as bucking.
Vets and EDT's work together for the benefit of the horse. They provide work of a high standard and are up to date with advances in equine dentistry. However, as with any profession, there are a few ‘rogue traders’ that give EDT's a bad name.
A number of vets I have worked with are more than happy for proficient EDT's to carry out dental work. However, an EDT cannot sedate a horse or prescribe medication.
Signs that your horse needs a dental examination include:
*dropping feed
*weight loss
*head tossing while riding with the bit
*rearing
*bucking
*chewing on the bit
*not wanting to collect or to "go round"
*dunking its hay in its water bucket
If the horse has not had a check up in the last twelve months it is definitely time to call in an EDT. Remember that a check up means putting on the speculum, looking in the mouth with a head lamp or flash light and palpating the teeth and gums. Anything less can result in a serious dental condition going untreated.
If you see any of the following signs, please call your local vet as well as the local dental technician, as these symptoms may be signs of dental trauma or more serious veterinary issues:
*facial swelling
*unfinished meals
*chewed food coming out of the nostrils
*blood tinged saliva
*a foul odour coming from the mouth or nose
***many horses do not show any of these signs, and suffer in silence***
So you have had your horse's teeth worked on, but you are not really sure what was actually done or why it was necessary.
However, you do know how much it costs!
Follow this link for the answer to your question.
Education Videos About Equine Dentistry Making It
Easy to Understand
