The Horse Dentist!

It’s recommended that humans visit a dentist twice a year for regular checkups and cleanings.  Did you know that horses should also be seen by a dentist just as often?  The reason why this is so important is because, unlike human teeth, a horse’s teeth continue to grow, developing sharp edges.  This can make chewing and digesting food difficult, or holding a harness bit uncomfortable.  But, it can also just feel tender or sore inside the horse’s mouth.  These problems are alleviated by a specialist, known in the field, as a lay equine dentist, whose skills involve floating horses’ teeth.  Floating means to smooth and contour equine teeth using special files, called ‘floats.’  And, unlike humans, a horse’s nerves end close to the gum line, so there are no nerve endings in the teeth to feel any pain from this procedure.  Of course, if a dental problem is discovered, the lay dentist will report it to the veterinarian. 

This is Brian Stuart, my lay equine dentist.  Brian learned his profession through apprenticeship.  Here he is examining Rutger to determine which teeth, if any, need to be floated.  Brian explained that Rutger never seems to mind his dental work.  It’s as though he actually knows Brian is there to make him feel better. As you can see, it’s quite important for an equine dentist to have excellent horse skills.  This is not an easy job, by any means.

These are some of the tools of the trade, soaking in a dental disinfectant.

Here is a close up of a couple of files known as floats.

Brian determined that certain molars in Rutger’s mouth were too sharp and long and did require floating.

With the dental procedure over, Rutger looks quite content.  Obviously, this is not the kind of dentistry where you would want to wear a white coat! 

Comments

[Jan Erickson]

Hi Martha, This is another fascinating blog. I was somewhat aware that horses teeth were filed down by a vet but didn't really know why. It's really interesting that there are equine dentists. Brian seems to know Rutger very well and Rutger seems very calm during the floating procedure. I just love reading your blog daily and learning something new everyday. Thanks again for sharing. Jan

[Nikki]

Hello Martha,

I just love your blog and show! Its just started showing here in South Africa and we love you.

[Nan Ashby]

Hi Martha, How important dental checkups are to the health of horses. Teeth problems can affect a horse in many serious ways. You are so health aware of all your animals and your constant care to them is a uplift to me. Rutger is quite the good patient and he deserves a treat. Nan

[Kathy]

Hi, Martha,
Thanks for the update about Rutger. He is standing there so calm with Brian after the procedure. Such a horse! Brian must be quite skilled and aware of his patients like Rutger.
Kathy

[Andrew Ritchie]

Reading about filing teeth gives me that twisted up 'sour' face. I don't suppose Colgate will be coming up with a human 'floater' anytime soon. And thank goodness for that!

-Andrew

[Trish]

I'm not sure 'floats' are what I would call those files! (Cringe.) Rutger was brave and I hope he rinsed afterward! Interesting blog since I know nothing about horses except how to ride. Thanks. Trish

[Sherey]

Wonderful and interesting article. Who knew? Comforting to know that all your charming animals are so well taken care of...a fine example of true compassion for them.

[Joan Fluor Mason, OH]

Hi Martha,

Looks like Rutger is happier than I am when I go to the dentist.

Thanks for the blog on taking care of Rutger's teeth, I wasn't aware that this is what was done.

Do you suppose the wild horses chew on rocks or stumps?

Joan, Mason, OH

[Kristi]

Martha,
This is great. My friend just had her mustang's teeth floated because she was exhibiting a lot of head "tossing" and playing with the bit, distracting her from training. Your Fresians are most impressive, I might add - I'm jealous!!! They are on my "someday" list - keep the pictures coming!
~Kristi, from Michigan

[Linda Gail]

Martha:)
Rutger is certainly braver than I am about his dental visit. I hate just having my teeth cleaned(but I do it) and I can't imagine having to have them filed like Rutger. But I'm sure he felt much better after Brian was finished. I use to go hide when my Doll had her visit with the dentist. She never complained either.
Thanks for a really great blog.
Linda Gail

[Kathy]

Hi again, Martha,
I enjoyed your show today. I was interested to see the segment with Helen Mirren and geraniums. My father taught me to shake the dirt from the roots in the fall and place the plants in brown grocery sacks with twine tied around the end. Then we hung them from the rafters in the shed. In the spring we opened the bags and cleaned off the dried up leaves. Already there would be new growth! I still do this with my geraniums.
Kathy

[ShopLittleGifts]

Interesting, I didn't know horses teeth keep growing. Rutger is so beautiful. When I was little I use to visit our horses at the stable to feed them carrots. I remember being afraid of how big they were and how they might eat my fingers too. But they were always really gentle. Maybe their teeth keep growing because genetically they eat grass and have to keep their tools long and sharp.

[Nouvisimo]

Hi Martha:

Though most of your readers don't seem to have hands on knowledge of horses, I am always glad to see your blogs involving them. For many, an equine lifestyle is something out of the past, but horses support a 52 billion dollar economy in California alone.

You do us a service when you share outside of "the industry".

Melissa

[Brenda Kula]

I shall leave the horses to you, my dear. I already deal with two cats, two dogs, two pond fish and a saltwater aquarium. I'm afraid a horse would quite tip the scales for me!
Brenda

[Celandine]

I didn't see anything mentioned about brushing teeth as we're supposed to do to our cats and dogs?????

[Jan]

Rutger certainly seems to take the dental work better than my horse, Myles, does! My poor vet can't even do it anymore because she has a bad back and it's tough work. So now we have an equine dentist, too. He had to pull one of Myles' teeth...I was surprised at how big it was. I've been a fan of Fresians ever since the movie Ladyhawke. Did you name your horse Rutger because Rutger Hauer rode one named Goliath in the movie? :-)

[gilda stigliano]

I'm a dentist (the human kind) and I think I'll tell my patients tomorrow that I'm going to float their teeth and see how they respond! ha
Love all of your shows, especially the old ones--so instructional and I miss them dearly.
Gilda aka martha stewart

[Amy G.]

This horse anatomy fact is the reason behind the saying "long in the tooth." If a horse didn't get this important work taken care of (as many work-horses did not way back when) they'd eventually live to be long in the tooth, a sign of age and likely bad humor as that can't be comfortable to have teeth that don't fit!

[Julie]

Martha,
I logged on to view a receipe I saw on your everyday show. I noticed your blog on floating horses teeth and I had to read it.
I am horse crazy and own a stable in Labadie, Missouri. I have been having a dentist visit my stable for many years. It was so suprising to me to find out that so many horse people didn't know how important floating was to a horses health and comfort and that it was linked to so many behavior problems. I am soon to loose my beloved stable in a divorce and it saddens me deeply. I will be keeping my favorite horse, Cody, he is a Paint with a heart of gold.
Rutger is beautiful. Its great to see you take such great care of him.
Julie, St. Louis Missouri

[Karen Brenner]

Hi Martha,
I love seeing your horses on your blog.
The shutterfly book on your show yesterday was great. Today's technology gives us such wonderful opportunities. Have you ever featured the print on demand publisher Blurb? One option they offer is a coffee table size book! I made one with my equine paintings and photographs and was very impressed with the quality.

[Jo Wicker]

Martha, I just love your show. I watched today and saw your home garden. I was wondering, who do you feed with all the wonderful vegetables you grow in your garden?

[Tina Cecil]

Floating teeth is a very important aspect of equine care. Although this service is often performed by laypersons, most states consider a non-veterinarian performing equine denistry to be a violation of their veterinary medical practice acts and is illegal.

[Judy Gerald]

Dear Martha,
My most sincere sympathy on the loss of your darling Paw Paw. I truly understand your pain. In January of 2005 my 92 year old mother died, and on June 4, 2005, my beloved Welsh Corgi Tory died. I've not totally recovered from either death.
If you've not ever read the poem "The Rainbow Bridge" do find a copy on the internet...even better find a copy set to music and photos.
Be strong.
Affectionately,
Judy Gerald