Westrow Equine Dental Service Ltd

 

::FAQ’s::                 Super potissimus pergo suus ruina

For the Good of the Horse and Rider

 

 

 

 

Telephone:

44(0)

1825732728

 

Fax:

44(0)

1825732025

 

Mobiles:

Doug:

44(0)7775761045

 

Simon:

44(0)7789118880

 

“Skype”

Dentaldoug

 

 

 

 

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My horse is dropping his hard feed when he eats, is this ok?

 

Horses and ponies often drop some feed when they eat, especially if they have a tendency to rush. This usually occurs when other horses are near.

It is possible that a problem exists so if your are worried give your dentist

or vet a call. However dropping feed/forage must not be confused with

 ’Quidding’

This is the dropping of hay or grass which has been partially chewed into ropes or boluses. If this is the case there is most certainly a problem and you should call your dentist or vet.    

Q. 3

My horse has ‘Wolf teeth’

Are they a problem?

Q. 4

Wolf teeth (first premolar) are non-functional, vestigial teeth and not all horses have them, if they do, they erupt at around 6 months of age but certainly no longer than 18 months. Wolf teeth can appear on one or more of the quadrants usually in the positions marked in Fig.1 fully erupted, under the gum (blind), displaced, impacted and can appear in varying sizes. (Not to be confused with canine teeth).

They rarely cause a problem clinically or in non-bitted horses, but in my experience as a horseman of many years they do effect the way of going of those ridden/driven.

Headshaking, difficulty bending and bitting in general to name but a few.

    

As wolf teeth serve no purpose and are potentially a problem to riders, we believe that they should always be extracted, properly and completely under sedation.

(A thought?  Your horse may be going well, but he/she may go

even better without them).

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I have heard that power instruments can be used on unsedated horses!

We do not advise this for the following reasons:

For accurate occlusal equilibration and ondontoplasty (Dental balancing and reduction of over grown teeth) it is essential that the horse is kept as still as possible throughout the procedures and clear illuminated vision is required at all times.

 There is also the added risk of soft tissue damage should the tongue or cheek be drawn into the rotating, high speed burr when working blind in the oral cavity.

Serious thermal damage caused through friction from high speed burrs may occur when using instruments which are not irrigated .

Q. 5

Wolf teeth

Fig.1

Canines

Top

Q. 6

Will my horse have any problems eating following corrective dental treatment?

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It is quite usual for some horses to find chewing course foodstuffs such as hay difficult for short while. It is no different than when you go to your dentist for fillings etc. some sensitivity will result. It is unusual for horses to  struggle in this way for very long, but if they do we recommend that they are fed soaked chaff for a few days and be turned out as much as possible.

Whatever you may be told, it is essential to correct most malocclusions in one operation to achieve proper balance and jaw function. 

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