Friends horse not seen dentist

[Eventer_7]

I was at my friends yard recently and I asked her what her horses were like with the dentist. She said she didn’t know as they hadn’t ever had the dentist out and they had owned the horses for around 7 years. I thought you needed to get the dentist out at least once a year?? (Please correct me if I’m wrong) Any thoughts on what I should say to her would be appreciated. TIA

 

[Flowerofthefen]

Wow!! Mine get done every 6 months. Perhaps just direct her to an article on line about the importance of getting teeth checked?

 

[Red-1]

I do mine every 6 months, they never need much doing but that is what I do.

However, as long as your friend's horses look and eat well, I'm not sure I would 'do' anything. I may express surprise, but that would be the extent of it.

 

[TPO]

My horse(s) did see a dentist very regularly (6-9mths) and he missed massive issues.

So if you're persuading her to get teeth looked at I'd make sure it's a vet who does it sedated.

Previously, I'd have died on the "EDT is better than vet" and boy am I living to regret it.

ETA that horses are very stoic with mouth pain so I wouldn't take looking OK as an indicator that they are

 

[SEL]

The feral pony which came with my land and ended up having PTS was 17 and no one could remember him ever having his teeth done. In one of my many attempts to earn his trust I had my hand on his jaw and I could feel heat and swellings. He was eating ok (takes a lot to stop a native) but was never as fat as I would expect a NF pony to be on 3 acres.

When he was practically on his knees with sedative on his last day we gently had a prod and there was obviously "stuff" going on. I have a horrible feeling he'd been stoic and giving no outwards signs of what was likely to be a very sore mouth. It was just one issue in a long list of issues which means I've never regretted that decision, but so completely unnecessary to let a horse get in that state

Vet, sedation and a good check over is what your friend needs to do. Any reason she hasn't?

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Mine are done every 6 to 9 months generally.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

My horse(s) did see a dentist very regularly (6-9mths) and he missed massive issues.

So if you're persuading her to get teeth looked at I'd make sure it's a vet who does it sedated.

Previously, I'd have died on the "EDT is better than vet" and boy am I living to regret it.

ETA that horses are very stoic with mouth pain so I wouldn't take looking OK as an indicator that they are

I'm one who uses my vet for teeth.

Neighbour uses same vets as me but not for teeth (till a month ago). She used a locally 'very popular' EDT. Younger horse was having riding issues and I asked about teeth.... they had been done in April by lauded person. Owner now thinking of sending to schooling yard.
I pleaded with her to get senior vet to look when coming out this way, then possible work up.
Turns out poor horse had dreadful issues on upper jaw which had been exacerbated by illustrious person. Horse spent 2 nights at Liphook in mid May and now looking so much happier and is looking a better shape already. Owner posted before and after pics but on her private fb page, just appalling.

 

[Eventer_7]

The feral pony which came with my land and ended up having PTS was 17 and no one could remember him ever having his teeth done. In one of my many attempts to earn his trust I had my hand on his jaw and I could feel heat and swellings. He was eating ok (takes a lot to stop a native) but was never as fat as I would expect a NF pony to be on 3 acres.

When he was practically on his knees with sedative on his last day we gently had a prod and there was obviously "stuff" going on. I have a horrible feeling he'd been stoic and giving no outwards signs of what was likely to be a very sore mouth. It was just one issue in a long list of issues which means I've never regretted that decision, but so completely unnecessary to let a horse get in that state

Vet, sedation and a good check over is what your friend needs to do. Any reason she hasn't?

I think she said it was too expensive and didn’t see much of a point to it as her horses looked healthy and were eating ample. After reading the comments on this post though I will do my best to persuade her to get them done.

 

[Quigleyandme]

I think she said it was too expensive and didn’t see much of a point to it as her horses looked healthy and were eating ample. After reading the comments on this post though I will do my best to persuade her to get them done.

Your friend would have to be dim or illiterate to not be aware of the need for regular dental checks. Some people are just resistant to spending money on unsexy things like routine maintenance and cover by saying their horse is fine without. My dressage riding friend’s horse has stopped travelling well in her trailer and is habitually twisting a back shoe. I gently suggested he may be in pain and perhaps a physio appointment (€60) might be in order. No, her horse “tells” her when he has an occult pain so perfectly attuned is she to her horse. She won’t see that the horse is telling her he isn’t comfortable travelling any more. She has sent her trailer for expensive modifications and will trial travelling him in different configurations. This person states her four horses would hate wearing fly sheets so they are covered in fly bites in this thundery, humid weather we’ve been having when the truth is she doesn’t want the expense and bother.

 

[Eventer_7]

Your friend would have to be dim or illiterate to not be aware of the need for regular dental checks. Some people are just resistant to spending money on unsexy things like routine maintenance and cover by saying their horse is fine without. My dressage riding friend’s horse has stopped travelling well in her trailer and is habitually twisting a back shoe. I gently suggested he may be in pain and perhaps a physio appointment (€60) might be in order. No, her horse “tells” her when he has an occult pain so perfectly attuned is she to her horse. She won’t see that the horse is telling her he isn’t comfortable travelling any more. She has sent her trailer for expensive modifications and will trial travelling him in different configurations. This person states her four horses would hate wearing fly sheets so they are covered in fly bites in this thundery, humid weather we’ve been having when the truth is she doesn’t want the expense and bother.

I imagine you are correct. I will do my best to get her to get it done ASAP

 

[Glitter's fun]

My horse(s) did see a dentist very regularly (6-9mths) and he missed massive issues.

So if you're persuading her to get teeth looked at I'd make sure it's a vet who does it sedated.

Previously, I'd have died on the "EDT is better than vet" and boy am I living to regret it.

ETA that horses are very stoic with mouth pain so I wouldn't take looking OK as an indicator that they are

Have to say I worry about the abilities of some equine professionals. There are physios & dentists who seem to have almost a cult-like following & I sometimes wonder how much is due to skill with horses & how much is due to charisma & skill with people. I'm sure there are wonderful ones but how can you be sure?

 

[Barton Bounty]

I think she said it was too expensive and didn’t see much of a point to it as her horses looked healthy and were eating ample. After reading the comments on this post though I will do my best to persuade her to get them done.

It’s literally £40 from mark twigg ED , he said once a year is fine for BB as we are bitless

 

[Eventer_7]

It’s literally £40 from mark twigg ED , he said once a year is fine for BB as we are bitless

That’s exactly what I said.

 

[Widgeon]

We use an equine dentist too; he charges £50 and visits every 6 months. He's excellent and none of the horses on our yard have ever had any issues with their teeth. I'm not sure that anyone can make a blanket statement as to whether vet or EDT is better - surely it just depends on the relative competence and expertise of the people you have available in your area.

 

[irishdraft]

I used to have a German girl who was also a small animal vet, have her andulsian stallion on livery here. She was also someone who didn't believe in having a dentist to her horse, "they don't have their teeth done in the wild " was her reasoning. She was an odd girl all round.

 

[Lexi 123]

My horse was 8 when I bought her and she never got her treat done by the previous owner she never saw the dentist in her life . I got her teeth done after a few weeks of owning her . Her teeth were awful but you wouldn’t have thought it by looking at her as she was overweight when I bought her and was eating normally. The only gave away was she wouldn’t take the bit and would freak out when I took the bride off. Unfortunately I live in Ireland and a lot of people won’t pay and have the old school mentality that if they aren’t skinny they don’t need it.

 

[asmp]

I bought my horse, an imported Criollo, who had never seen a dentist. First dentist appointment and it turned out he had a broken tooth

 

[meleeka]

The lodger hadn’t seen a dentist before. The dentist knew straight away and commented how sharp his teeth were. His owner just didn’t think it necessary.

 

[chaps89]

Whereas my twenty year old pony hadn’t ever had his teeth done prior to arriving with me and was absolutely fine not that I’m advocating never having teeth done and in fact I always get them done usually a bit sooner than the annual check, but just showing another experience.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I think its more common than people think not getting teeth done, my friend bought a mare for £8,500 a few years back from a so called dressage yard had owner competed up to advanced medium with her the horses mouth was in the most disgusting state she had to have extensive work done at the RVC, both sides of her mouth were ulcerated vet said it was the worst he had ever seen.

 

[toppedoff]

i know someone who said "but the feed wears it down so no need to spend dosh." suppose thats peoples excuses

 

[m1stify]

My horse was 8 when I bought her and she never got her treat done by the previous owner she never saw the dentist in her life . I got her teeth done after a few weeks of owning her . Her teeth were awful but you wouldn’t have thought it by looking at her as she was overweight when I bought her and was eating normally. The only gave away was she wouldn’t take the bit and would freak out when I took the bride off. Unfortunately I live in Ireland and a lot of people won’t pay and have the old school mentality that if they aren’t skinny they don’t need it.

thats quite a generalisation! i don't know anyone (also in Ireland) who dosen't get their horses teeth done.

 

[Lexi 123]

thats quite a generalisation! i don't know anyone (also in Ireland) who dosen't get their horses teeth done.

I know a lot of people who don’t get their horses teeth in years and they have have said they won’t pay as horse doesn’t need it . I live in Ireland definitely not a generalisation I didn’t say everyone just some people . Also I know a lot of riding schools that wouldn’t pay to get the riding school horses teeth done as well.

 

[Auslander]

Feel free to show her these pics. This was my original Shetland, just after he arrived with me. He showed absolutely no signs of mouth pain, wore a bit very happily, and had no trouble eating - so it was a terrible shock when the dentist looked in his mouth when she came out to do a routine dental. Poor little chap had bleeding ulcers in his cheeks. She reckoned he'd never had his teeth done - at 15 years old

 

[m1stify]

I know a lot of people who don’t get their horses teeth in years and they have have said they won’t pay as horse doesn’t need it . I live in Ireland definitely not a generalisation I didn’t say everyone just some people . Also I know a lot of riding schools that wouldn’t pay to get the riding school horses teeth done as well.

You stated it like no-one in Ireland gets their horses teeth done. Why do you generalise like that? My dentist has weeks of a waiting list. Why would that be the case if no-one in Ireland gets their horses teeth done? perhaps you should rephrase as no one you know gets their horses teeth done.

 

[Ratface]

Old Horse and his herd (the youngest is 15 and the oldest is 32) are seen on a yearly basis by a world-famous equine vet. When he retired from his practice, he decided to continue as a travelling equine dentist. He's based in a nearby village and is happy to come out in an emergency if required. He usually has a trainee with him, and it's really interesting to listen to his teaching them the necessary skills for appropriate treatment. Old Horse, AKA The Awkward Squad, is 16hh and has a very long neck and face. He uses these to avoid the equine dentist's ministrations. Doesn't work. He's 6ft 3ins, with matching long arms! He's firm and very calm. It doesn't hurt that he's charming and handsome, either!

 

[Lexi 123]

You stated it like no-one in Ireland gets their horses teeth done. Why do you generalise like that? My dentist has weeks of a waiting list. Why would that be the case if no-one in Ireland gets their horses teeth done? perhaps you should rephrase as no one you know gets their horses teeth done.

This is what I actually said I didn’t say everyone in Ireland. Secondly we actually don’t have a lot of dentists in Ireland that’s why we have big waiting lists.

Unfortunately I live in Ireland and a lot of people won’t pay and have the old school mentality that if they aren’t skinny they don’t need it.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Sadly I’m often amazed at the horses we have in at work that the dentist comments look like they have never seen a dentist before.

 

[Gloi]

When I first had horses it was unusual for anyone to get teeth looked at unless there was an obvious problem. I think it has just gradually changed over the years for people to have them done regularly.

 

[ycbm]

When I first had horses it was unusual for anyone to get teeth looked at unless there was an obvious problem. I think it has just gradually changed over the years for people to have them done regularly.

With my first horse in 1980 I was told to rasp the teeth if they start dropping food or obviously not eating properly.
.