October 2002

Don't Float Over Dental Care

Your horse’s dental health is as important as your own.

Your equine dentist will use ûa speculum to keep the horse’s ûmouth safely open.

As horse owners, we understand the importance of regular veterinary and farrier care, but we often neglect dental care unless there’s a problem. This attitude can be a serious mistake. Mouth problems can affect virtually everything, from overall health to performance.

Determining how often your horse needs to see an equine dental technician starts with his age. Foals should be examined soon after birth. Some problems, especially congenital ones, may be dealt with and noted. Otherwise, regular dental care usually begins as a late yearling with the removal of the wolf teeth and floating. …