Ponies and dentists
Oct. 8th, 2009 09:00 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
altivoNo, not me. This morning the equine dentist made a house call on our three resident hoofers.
I tried to take photos, with the blessing of the two dental specialists and the vet, but Gary says they didn't turn out well. I wasn't using the flash because I didn't want to cause distractions, and the attendant longer exposures apparently caused blurring. I haven't looked yet, but will post if any of them are salvageable.
It's an interesting process. The vet gives the horse a mild sedative, sort of like what a hit of laughing gas does to a human judging by the behavioral results. The dentists have a special halter that holds the horse's mouth open, and they then proceed first to scrub and examine, and then to grind down the teeth. The purpose is to remove sharp spots or "hooks" that cause sores and can inhibit proper chewing, and to "balance" the horse's bite and chewing ability.
I asked our vet more about it this time and she explained that the horse's teeth continue to erupt as it ages, unlike our own that come in only so far and then stop. This continued "growth" would compensate for normal wear due to all the chewing and grinding that a large herbivore has to do in order to process enough food. Unfortunately, the diet that we provide for domestic horses doesn't produce the same kinds of wear. Consequently the molars don't wear at the same rate as the incisors, but wear down faster. Eventually the incisors hold the mouth open so that proper chewing is not possible. By adjusting the uneven wear, we help the horse to chew his food properly and maintain good nutrition.
The process looks scary, but the horses don't seem to react to it with fear. Either the sedative keeps them from being frightened, or else it really doesn't cause much pain. They just put up with it, patiently, and will go right back to eating when it is over if allowed to do so. They usually tell us to withhold food and water for an hour until the sedative wears off. I think that's mostly to avoid the risk of "choke" due to incomplete swallowing in the aftermath of the drug. All three horses were kind of sleepy afterward, but otherwise seemed undistressed.
This process is called "floating" the horse's teeth. We usually do it once a year, though due to scheduling issues and then the economic panic, I let it slide last fall. I got a little lecture, much like what you would get from your own dentist, about proper care and the need to keep a regular schedule for checkups and any work that is needed. All three had sores on their tongues that may have been a result of the sharp edges that had formed, though the vet agreed that the fact that they've been eating windfall acorns lately may have also contributed.
The cost was about the same for each horse as what I pay out myself for two cleaning and checkup visits a year.
In other news, I spent three hours watching the gallery this afternoon. As usual for a weekday afternoon, it was pretty quiet. There was one surprise, though. My "Cat in the Hat" wall hanging received a third place ribbon in its category. Though I receive honors in the spinning portion of the show every year, this is the first time in five years that I've received a weaving ribbon.
I tried to take photos, with the blessing of the two dental specialists and the vet, but Gary says they didn't turn out well. I wasn't using the flash because I didn't want to cause distractions, and the attendant longer exposures apparently caused blurring. I haven't looked yet, but will post if any of them are salvageable.
It's an interesting process. The vet gives the horse a mild sedative, sort of like what a hit of laughing gas does to a human judging by the behavioral results. The dentists have a special halter that holds the horse's mouth open, and they then proceed first to scrub and examine, and then to grind down the teeth. The purpose is to remove sharp spots or "hooks" that cause sores and can inhibit proper chewing, and to "balance" the horse's bite and chewing ability.
I asked our vet more about it this time and she explained that the horse's teeth continue to erupt as it ages, unlike our own that come in only so far and then stop. This continued "growth" would compensate for normal wear due to all the chewing and grinding that a large herbivore has to do in order to process enough food. Unfortunately, the diet that we provide for domestic horses doesn't produce the same kinds of wear. Consequently the molars don't wear at the same rate as the incisors, but wear down faster. Eventually the incisors hold the mouth open so that proper chewing is not possible. By adjusting the uneven wear, we help the horse to chew his food properly and maintain good nutrition.
The process looks scary, but the horses don't seem to react to it with fear. Either the sedative keeps them from being frightened, or else it really doesn't cause much pain. They just put up with it, patiently, and will go right back to eating when it is over if allowed to do so. They usually tell us to withhold food and water for an hour until the sedative wears off. I think that's mostly to avoid the risk of "choke" due to incomplete swallowing in the aftermath of the drug. All three horses were kind of sleepy afterward, but otherwise seemed undistressed.
This process is called "floating" the horse's teeth. We usually do it once a year, though due to scheduling issues and then the economic panic, I let it slide last fall. I got a little lecture, much like what you would get from your own dentist, about proper care and the need to keep a regular schedule for checkups and any work that is needed. All three had sores on their tongues that may have been a result of the sharp edges that had formed, though the vet agreed that the fact that they've been eating windfall acorns lately may have also contributed.
The cost was about the same for each horse as what I pay out myself for two cleaning and checkup visits a year.
In other news, I spent three hours watching the gallery this afternoon. As usual for a weekday afternoon, it was pretty quiet. There was one surprise, though. My "Cat in the Hat" wall hanging received a third place ribbon in its category. Though I receive honors in the spinning portion of the show every year, this is the first time in five years that I've received a weaving ribbon.
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no subject
Date: 2009-10-09 04:06 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-09 07:46 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-09 04:12 am (UTC)The biggest problem right now is that the local vet doesn't do any kind of equine dentistry, including floating. I think there's a vet a little over an hour's drive out that will do it, but I''l have to look into whether it would be cheaper for me to trailer them out there, or have the vet come here.
no subject
Date: 2009-10-09 07:49 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-09 08:01 am (UTC)and it reminds me that Henry hippo could do with s dental check too. Might talk to the stables, since he's on loan right now they'd have to foot the bill and I feel guilty enough about nit paying my way with the grey lump.
no subject
Date: 2009-10-09 07:51 pm (UTC)Perhaps they'll split the costs with you?
no subject
Date: 2009-10-09 09:03 am (UTC)Congrats on the ribbon, too.
no subject
Date: 2009-10-09 07:55 pm (UTC)Thanks. Not exactly what I thought I might get a ribbon for, but ...
no subject
Date: 2009-10-09 12:05 pm (UTC)Most horses I've seen seem to not really like having their teeth floated, but don't get too upset by it. I guess it's kind of like when I go to the dentist: I'd sure rather be somewhere else but put up with it.
Just like having their feet done, some horses are better behaved about it than others. I imagine the first time a horse ever has it done is pretty scary for 'em.
The ancient pony at the barn had his done again not long back. At this point, they only do the minimum they feel they can get away with on his teeth since there's not too much of them left.
no subject
Date: 2009-10-09 07:59 pm (UTC)Yeah, obviously none of them "enjoys" the process, but none of them try to run away either.
Hooves is an interesting thing. When Tess had her foal of course we had to introduce a youngster to the idea. She didn't like it at all and it was a real battle each time. In fact, I think one of the reasons our previous farrier decided to retire completely was dealing with Dawn and Tess. Our current farrier got past that though, and Tess is very well behaved for him. In her case, it seems to have been that she didn't like cross ties. Now I just stand and hold her head while John works and she's fine, a perfect lady most of the time. Dawn went to her new home before we'd taught her proper manners for the farrier, but I hear that she's fine now as well.
no subject
Date: 2009-10-14 11:38 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-14 01:15 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-15 12:07 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-15 07:37 pm (UTC)