Your horse lives to eat! Horses chew most of the time (23 hours if left on their own). Each mandible and maxilla is slightly different in every horse and therefore each horse is treated as an individual with specific needs. This is why an oral exam and treatment plans should be performed by a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Floating alters the occlusal surfaces of the teeth and should always be done with great care. The extensive training of veterinarians in anatomy, physiology, diagnostics, sedation, medicine, surgery, radiology, and treatments give veterinarians the unique advantage of “seeing the whole picture”. The oral exam is just as important as a lameness exam and sometimes more involved. We let every owner see inside their horse’s mouth and discuss the many possible outcomes of any dental abnormality.

• Resource links:
  www.aaep.org/health_articles_view.php?id=29
  www.bayerequineconnection.com/main/general_care/dental_care.cfm
  www.AAEP.org