The Lay Equine Dentist Visits My Stable
It’s time for my horses to get their teeth checked.
Twice a year, my horses are paid a visit by their lay equine dentist, Brian Stuart. Unlike human teeth, equine teeth are constantly growing, which means their bites are always changing. Because of this, it is important for a horse’s mouth to be examined for any sharp edges or misaligned molars. The process of correcting these conditions is called floating - filing or rasping an equine’s teeth, so that chewing surfaces are smooth and properly contoured for eating. These days, power floating has become a popular method, but I prefer the all-natural, more traditional hand-filing process.
Here are some photos.
-
- It’s about to get quite busy down in my stable. My five Friesians, three donkeys and Fell pony are all waiting for a visit from their lay equine dentist.
-
- Here’s Rutger looking on with anticipation – he’s such a handsome boy. The Friesian is a horse breed originating in Friesland, in the Netherlands. Although the conformation of the breed resembles that of a light draft horse, Friesians are graceful and nimble for their size.
-
- This is Rinze – he is always so curious. The Friesian breed is most often recognized by its black coat. The Friesian stands about 15.3 hands but may vary from 14.2 to 17 hands at the withers.
-
- Here’s Sasa. Friesians have long, arched necks and well-chiseled, short-eared heads. They also have powerful, sloping shoulders, compact, muscular bodies with strong, sloping hindquarters and low-set tails.
-
- Here is Banchunch, my Fell pony – so full of character. He loves any attention visitors give him.
-
- My fun-loving Sicilian donkeys, Billie and Rufus, are enjoying some hay from their NibbleNet – a special hay net specially designed to slow feed times, curb boredom, and simulate grazing. All my horses love pulling their hay from these feeders.
-
- Afterwards, two of the three amigos walked over hoping for a treat. My donkeys, Billie, Rufus and Clive, play in a large paddock most of the day except for feeding times and when they are put back into their shared stall before nightfall.
-
- And here is Brian, the equine dentist, with Meindert. The key to working with horses is to gain their trust, which in turn helps them relax. Brian spends a few minutes just talking to each horse before he begins his exam.
-
- Much of Brian’s work is done through feel. He feels for any abnormalities in the horse’s mouth. Horses have 24-molars and premolars that are constantly growing and being worn away.
-
- These are the tools of the trade. They are called floats. When not being used on a horse, Brian soaks them in a Chlorhexidine solution, an antimicrobial disinfectant.
-
- Each float is fitted with a sharp tungsten carbide blade made of chips that are bonded to the base. This is what files each tooth during the floating process.
-
- Floats are about 21-inches long. The long handles allow Brian to get to the back molars.
-
- The floats also come in varying angles for use on different teeth. By using these floats, Brian can file sharp enamel points to correct any dental imbalances.
-
- This is an “s” file, a two-sided file used for finishing areas and for polishing the front of the molars section where the horse’s bit sits.
-
- Brian secures a McPherson full mouth speculum on Banchunch. This keeps his mouth open for the duration of the process.
-
- Brian begins by filing the uneven and high edges of the front molars.
-
- Brian often stops to feel each molar to reassess the floating needs of each tooth.
-
- All my horses have their teeth checked every six months, so they are quite accustomed to Brian, and the procedure.
-
- Brian is very gentle when floating teeth – being a lay equine dentist requires excellent horse skills. Each floating session takes about 30-minutes to complete.
-
- Over the years, power floating has become more popular than traditional hand filing, but this manual method is more natural and does not require anesthesia – just a knowledgeable practitioner and a trusting relationship between horse and dentist.
-
- Brian checks Banchunch’s teeth and bite one more time before moving on to the next stall and horse.
-
- A short time later, Rinze was saddled up and brought up to my Winter House for a morning ride. Whenever I am home, I like to ride around the farm. It’s great exercise, but also a nice way to see how everything at the farm is doing.
-
- Here I am all ready for a late morning ride.
-
- Rinze and I will be back soon!
-
- By late afternoon, my Friesians and pony are turned out into their paddocks. Here are four of the five Friesians – Rinze, Meindert, Ramon and Rutger. Sasa and Banchunch are turned out in another paddock. See you soon, my dear horses.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
