Dentist- power tools or manual?

[treacle_beastie]

Inspired by a post off facebook.
What to you have for your horse and why?
Are you/were you made aware of the implications of power tools and has that influenced your decision?
Personally my horse prefers power tools and I have been pleased with the results and I was not aware of the implications and my horse has never been sedated as a precaution. Both of which are apparant rules/guidelines from beva/baedt!

 

[Tiffany]

My girl's never been sedated even though they use power tools. Having said that their latest news letter said all horses will be sedated I wouldn't be happy if they insisted because she doesn't need sedation and I can't see point of sedating if there's no need.

 

[treacle_beastie]

Yes that's how I feel!

 

[LovesCobs]

My horses have just had the power tool, same person ive always used with new equipment. She knew my lot and also warned me if they don't like the sound and react she would do it manually. Horses were great, it was quicker as well. Not sure what the issues are (sorry not read that bit) just wanted to say I've had a good experience and was told they might not tolerate or take to it. It was Vicky from Ashbrooks
And no sedation either, option if they didn't like it was to revert to other method

 

[EventingMum]

Inspired by a post off facebook.
What to you have for your horse and why?
Are you/were you made aware of the implications of power tools and has that influenced your decision?
Personally my horse prefers power tools and I have been pleased with the results and I was not aware of the implications and my horse has never been sedated as a precaution. Both of which are apparant rules/guidelines from beva/baedt!

Both manual and power tools have their place and often both are used - power tools for much of the work and finishing off with manual tools. In many cases power tools are actually less traumatic for the horse and to put it in simple terms there is less "drag" across the tooth which is often better for older horses whose teeth are starting to expire and may be slightly loose. There is also less risk of soft tissue damage with power tools - run the head of a power tool across your hand and then try with a manual rasp! Floating is usually much quicker with power tools than with manual rasps so horses are less likely to get fed up and fidgety. There is much hype about power tools running too hot and damaging teeth - modern tools used correctly by trained edts or vets run little risk of this.

As far as sedation is concerned this is taken from the BAEDT website:

"Horses should be sedated unless it is deemed safe to undertake any proposed procedure without sedation, with full informed consent of the owner."

So if the horse is known to stand well for power tool treatment and the owner has discussed it fully with the vet or edt sedation should not be necessary however each horse should be assessed as an individual.

 

[brighteyes]

Both manual and power tools have their place and often both are used - power tools for much of the work and finishing off with manual tools. In many cases power tools are actually less traumatic for the horse and to put it in simple terms there is less "drag" across the tooth which is often better for older horses whose teeth are starting to expire and may be slightly loose. There is also less risk of soft tissue damage with power tools - run the head of a power tool across your hand and then try with a manual rasp! Floating is usually much quicker with power tools than with manual rasps so horses are less likely to get fed up and fidgety. There is much hype about power tools running too hot and damaging teeth - modern tools used correctly by trained edts or vets run little risk of this.

As far as sedation is concerned this is taken from the BAEDT website:

"Horses should be sedated unless it is deemed safe to undertake any proposed procedure without sedation, with full informed consent of the owner."

So if the horse is known to stand well for power tool treatment and the owner has discussed it fully with the vet or edt sedation should not be necessary however each horse should be assessed as an individual.

This ^^^

 

[treacle_beastie]

Thanks

 

[mcnaughty]

Shouldn't matter either way so long as the job is done well.

 

[hannahmurphy]

Over each visit my boy has become more and more difficult with power tools .... simply because he finds it incredibly tickley on his tongue!

 

[amandap]

This may well be a numpty question but surely power tools shouldn't be needed at every visit and especially if teeth are done regularly?

 

[Wheels]

Well I let my horse decide, my youngster was done for the first time this year. The first visit in the spring I used my vet who has the manual tools and my youngster was not impressed, in fact the vet wanted to twitch him but managed to get through it in the end. The second visit in the autumn I used an edt who uses the power tools to start and the manual to finish off. My youngster didnt like it at first but stood like a lamb by the end of it.

I know which I will be using the next time

 

[Lissa]

One of mine was always done with manual tools was fine the first time and then got progressively worse to the point where even sedated he was bad. Moved yards and used someone new with power tools and he just backed into the corner and was fine with no sedation. He is now on loan and they use their vet who uses manual and he was a pain again and going to be sedated next time. New pony was done by same guy and also fine with power tools and no sedation.

 

[amandap]

That's interesting about some horses accepting power tools better. I wonder if it's the vibration/jarring they object to with manual tools?
Mine have only had power tools used once a few years ago and they accepted it with no sedation.

 

[Polos Mum]

The next time you have the dentist over get him to put the power tools on your arm (I did!) they cut off instantly when they hit something soft (or his did anyway) so they can't tweak/ catch/ jar in any way on fleshy bits of the mouth. Hand tools - can catch the inside of the mouth if not used properly.

Like anything, especially in the horse world, any tool is bad if in the wrong hands and even extreme looking equipment can work wonders in the right hands.

 

[Star_Piper]

Both manual and power tools have their place and often both are used - power tools for much of the work and finishing off with manual tools. In many cases power tools are actually less traumatic for the horse and to put it in simple terms there is less "drag" across the tooth which is often better for older horses whose teeth are starting to expire and may be slightly loose. There is also less risk of soft tissue damage with power tools - run the head of a power tool across your hand and then try with a manual rasp! Floating is usually much quicker with power tools than with manual rasps so horses are less likely to get fed up and fidgety. There is much hype about power tools running too hot and damaging teeth - modern tools used correctly by trained edts or vets run little risk of this.

As far as sedation is concerned this is taken from the BAEDT website:

"Horses should be sedated unless it is deemed safe to undertake any proposed procedure without sedation, with full informed consent of the owner."

So if the horse is known to stand well for power tool treatment and the owner has discussed it fully with the vet or edt sedation should not be necessary however each horse should be assessed as an individual.

Useful to know - because my pony's always been so good about having his teeth done, we didn't even think about that before his first power tool treatment. Luckily he's so trusting that even though he clearly isn't too sure about it, he's able to stand fairly quietly for his treatment (got complimented on it too). Although if I'd realised how noisy the tools were going to be, I might have got him sedated for the first time as a precaution (don't know why I thought they'd be quiet!)

 

[tinap]

My lad has his done every 6 months by an EDT who does it manually.

I recently had the vet do it instead as he was due his jabs too. He came out & mentioned sedating him. I asked why he would need sedating to which he replied that he's never done a horses teeth without sedation!!! at that I presumed he was using power tools, which have never been used on my boy. I told him this but he confirmed he was doing it manually!

He didn't believe that the boy didn't need sedating & was very shocked that he just stood & let him rasp them. To say it took the vet 20mins to put the gag together & on too, the boy was extremely patient!!

I've never seen the need to use power tools as his teeth are checked very regularly & never need major work doing but ill go back to the EDT next time!

 

[cavalo branco]

My EDT uses manual tools and no sedation - on his last visit he asked what I thought about power tools - I said I wouldn't be happy because I have heard that they can inadvertently take off too much tooth.

He also showed me a small power tool on my hand and I was surprised that it cut out on soft tissue and also seemed very quiet with small rotation. I changed my mind about its possible use in the future

 

[MrsNorris]

My girl's never been sedated even though they use power tools. Having said that their latest news letter said all horses will be sedated I wouldn't be happy if they insisted because she doesn't need sedation and I can't see point of sedating if there's no need.

My horse is done yearly (last 7 years) with power tools, no sedation, he's good as gold. I will be very peed off if they start insisting on sedation now, what on earth is the point if the horse doesn't need it?
Won't that also mean a vet visit or are the EDT's going to be allowed to sedate?
And if they are not allowed to, surely people will just get the vet to do the teeth rather than paying for 2 professionals to come out. Sounds crazy to me.

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

My vet uses both power tools ( if needed) and manual rasping. Both my horses are pigs to do and although I held out against sedating, it was a safety issue esp with the 17 hander and I wish I had allowed the sedation earlier as the horses get a much better and more thorough job done on them. Interestingly big old chap has had less colic and choke since i started this approach. Also I get other stuff done while they are under the influence - sheath cleaning for instance!

Even tho they are both done every 6 months it is well worth the thorough approach ESP for oldie who has gaps and hooky bits.

 

[Goldenstar]

Both.

 

[NaeNae87]

Both my two have just had their teeth done by an equine dental specialist.

She uses only uses power tools and as she is also a qualified vet, she can legally sedate horses. After seeing horses that have had power tools used and also hand tools used, I prefer the power tools. IMO using sedation and power tools is a lot less traumatic for the horse and it allows for a more thorough examination of the teeth.

Bo has bad gingervitis and caries that were missed by the person who hand floated his teeth about 6 months ago. His teeth had really bad ramps and hooks and as a result the insides of his cheeks were covered in ulcers and scars from ulcers.

It may have just been the person who used the hand tools on him, but I thought they did a pretty crappy job compared to the results achieved by the power tools... the power tools also took 1/2 the time. Neither horse has suffered any ill effects from the power tools or the sedation.

 

[Faro]

Treacle_Beastie - I'm dying to know who you are, because I saw a similar discussion on FB either last night or the night before (time runs away with me!) and think it might be the same one. Was your FB discussion started by someone with the initials GB?

Personally, I think power tools have their place, but shouldn't necessarily be used as a matter of course. Again with sedation - sedation has it's place if the horse needs it (and there are without doubt times when that is undoubtedly the case) but sedation as a matter of routine is only for the vet's welfare (H&S) abd for an easy life - and not in the horse's best interests - we're living in a world where drugs, sedatives, antibiotics etc. are given will nilly for everything - and the overuse of any form of drug ultimately leads to side effects (and in the case of antibiotics to resistance).

So in summary, power tools/manual, sedative/no sedative - all combinations are acceptable - but the circumstances should be looked into first before automatically assuming power tools and/or barging in with a sedative.

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

Treacle_Beastie - I'm dying to know who you are, because I saw a similar discussion on FB either last night or the night before (time runs away with me!) and think it might be the same one. Was your FB discussion started by someone with the initials GB?

Personally, I think power tools have their place, but shouldn't necessarily be used as a matter of course. Again with sedation - sedation has it's place if the horse needs it (and there are without doubt times when that is undoubtedly the case) but sedation as a matter of routine is only for the vet's welfare (H&S) abd for an easy life - and not in the horse's best interests - we're living in a world where drugs, sedatives, antibiotics etc. are given will nilly for everything - and the overuse of any form of drug ultimately leads to side effects (and in the case of antibiotics to resistance).

So in summary, power tools/manual, sedative/no sedative - all combinations are acceptable - but the circumstances should be looked into first before automatically assuming power tools and/or barging in with a sedative.

I agree with this but would say it isnt only for vets H&S. My vets were doing a routine rasp without sedation but because the horses were being difficult they really couldnt do a thorough enough job. So sedation was the right route not to protect the vet but to actually get the job done properly. It can be right to use for that reason too.....
However I completely agree that a vet should not have a rule that only sedated horses can have their teeth rasped. that is inappropriate and lazy.