Head Shy Cob - Wobbly Incisor

[Roxryan]

Hi - first post here but would love some advice. So we have had our cob for around 2 months, she came very anxious but has come on leaps and bounds. She isn't aggressive, has amazing ground manners and loves my 8 year old daughter. My only issue has been that anything towards her head (other than the headcollar which she now lets me put on) she panics and with others has reared.

It has been anything to do with the mouth - so wormer, dentist (absolutely wouldn't let him anywhere near) and bridle/bit are a complete no go. I'm quite new to all this - so I've had every opinion of all sorts - from 'she's naughty' to she just needs a slap.

Anyway fast forward to this morning - got the vet in to sedate her and look at her mouth - turns out her front incisor is wobbly and is a long way away from the other teeth, the gum also looks inflamed. The Vet thinks it needs to be taken out - which I am going to.

My question - do you think this is the main reason of her wanting absolutely nothing towards her mouth? She is so sweet and loving in every other way and it is just the mouth part. Will she instantly feel better or is this a long process to keep working with her.

I know this is probably a stupid question, I have doubted myself so much because i kept saying it was her mouth - but much more "experienced" on the yard were saying it wouldn't be that.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I would say it more than likely is the cause of the problems your having hopefully once removed and she feels more comfortable she will be fine.

 

[Gloi]

It does seem likely. How old is she? Is this normal shedding of a baby tooth or has she had a mishap?
I'd probably use a bit less bridle for a while until she is no longer worried about you handling her mouth.

 

[Roxryan]

She was sold to us as a 5 year old - passport got lost in post so reapplied. Microchip says 8 and vet thinks between 8-12! Oh it’s been fun it’s like guess the age

So defo a mishap with the age I’ve been told today.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Sore incisors will extremely painful for any horse.

I would leave the extraction to a specialist vet dentist. There are some very good ones about, I have one.

Was she x rayed? My mare was, and it revealed two long dead and infected incisors which must have been causing her huge amounts of pain. Post extraction, the infection drained out over about a fortnight (the smell ), but then the sockets healed up and she’s done grand since.

 

[Gloi]

She was sold to us as a 5 year old - passport got lost in post so reapplied. Microchip says 8 and vet thinks between 8-12! Oh it’s been fun it’s like guess the age

So defo a mishap with the age I’ve been told today.

It will be very sore then . I wonder how she did it and how long ago. I hope the extraction and healing goes well. Good luck.

 

[MereChristmas]

Poor pony, she must be very sore. Well done for getting the vet when you weren’t sure what was wrong.
I’m sure she will be a happy comfortable pony when she has had the bad teeth sorted and her mouth has healed.

 

[Highmileagecob]

It's amazing how quickly they recover from extractions. My old boy (29) had to have three molars extracted and a broken tush chiselled out. Absolutely brilliant vet/dentist, recommended by my EDT and ok'd by my usual vet. Instructions to turn out as soon as the sedation wears off, and of he went! I had to syringe weak salt water across the cavities three times a day, just to remove trapped grass, but apart from that he was fully recovered in a fortnight. Did not affect his eating ability at all.

 

[Lurfy]

I think it is very likely she will improve after tooth extraction and recovery. My boy had a tooth out a week ago and is definitely brighter now. He's had 2 out in the last 3 years. Good luck I hope it goes smoothly and your mare feels better afterwards.

 

[Roxryan]

Thanks for all your responses - honestly made me feel so much better.

So hard when you doubt yourself - but lesson for myself - trust my gut and her! I just want to get her sorted - she deserves it and fingers crossed we get better.

There was no way - she was "aggressive" or "taking the mick out of me" because she never once showed any aggression to me or my daughter once. But when you are told over and over - to be harder - and I'm being too soft you just doubt yourself. We have a bond and I love that. She trusts me.