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Elite Veteran
Posts: 690
  
Location: missouri | Yesterday we had the whole barn floated... did you know that if you let this go, your horse(s) can have really nasty ulcers/sores in their mouths and that can account for bitting problems and head tossing? Incidentally, our vet told us that the "Tom Thumb" bit is the most dangerous of them all! that it can break down the bars and injure the palate. My Quarter mare had a broken tooth stuck in her tongue. I felt like I was such a jerk for letting them go for the past three years..We shoe, trim, and clip/bathe/groom/vet them, but let this issue go too far!! anyone else guilty? or are we the worst jerks in the world?PS: They are all eating better today! |
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Member
Posts: 38
Location: Teutopolis, IL | I had my 15 year old geldings done last fall and it is amazing the difference! They both started putting on weight and the wasted grain is no longer. My vet said thought that one of them has a really bad one and that is needs to be done with an automatic floater. She justed used a manuel. So this fall I will get his redone. It was kida comical to see my boys appear "drunk" from the medicine. They were like putty in your hand! |
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Expert
Posts: 1723
Location: michigan | The horses are floated once a year. The same time they are vaccinated,coggins pulled and sheaths done. Makes it a tramatic day for the poor beasts however its over and done with. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 824
Location: Kansas | Same here. My vet is also trained as an equine dentist, not always the case. He kept my old guys eating well into their 30s. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 434
Location: Brooksville, Fl | I do the whole gig at the same time too (shots, teeth, coggins, etc).The bill is not pretty, but it's necessary. Some need floating every six months, some once a year. I agree with your vet too, I'm not fond of those 'Tom Thumb' bits either. I think they are rather harsh. I'm not sure where people got the idea that they are a nice bit....just my humble opinion. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 447
Location: cedar rapids iowa | I like the equine dentists also. They seem more thourough. Every year typically, more if thet did a quicky and less often as it is done on a regular basis. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 690
Location: missouri | Our Vet/Equine Dentist did use the pneumatic equipment, it made fast work of all nine horses. About the "Tom Thumb" bit, we used them in the past, never knowing they were not good... I thought they were about the most gentle bits WRONG!! I use a Myler reining bit..or a bosal. By the way..I clean our geldings sheaths about 3-4 times a year. Why did I let the teeth go?? I will be anxious to ride them now that they are not suffering pain in their mouths. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 648
Location: Coconut Creek, FL | yep - his teeth are floated once a year - especially after the tech had me put my fingers in his mouth and feel just how sharp the edges can get if not done regularly. Ditto on the Tom Thumbs, too bad they are used extensively..... |
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 Expert
Posts: 1871
Location: NY | I have it done twice a year so if any thing starts up if is Court faster |
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 Veteran
Posts: 274
Location: Memphis, TN | We used to just get the farrier to "float" the points every few years and thought we were doing the right thing. Then we had a real vet dentist do the complete job. What an amazing difference in the horse. He even takes pictuers and provides us with a chart of the teeth. Here is a link to my vet dentist page and some interesting info. http://www.1animalcare.com/Horses_Dentistry.htm |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 781
Location: La Cygne, KS | Gotta have my old horse checked twice a year. Better to catch a problem early than later and have it cost more. The other 4 are checked yearly. My MFT mare must chew evenly since she hardly ever develops points - Great for me and the pocket book! |
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Member
Posts: 36
Location: Wellington, Texas | Had 4 floated this year. While they are drousy it is easiest to go ahead and clean the sheaths and also have their ears checked for ticks. |
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Expert
Posts: 1351
Location: Decatur, Texas | We have 11 horses and 8 are done once a year and the other 3 are every 8 to 9 months. (1 is 30 and the other 2 are gribbers) |
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Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA | Our vet taught us how to feel for the sharp points, and we do a serious inspection about once a month. The teeth are floated when it becomes necessary, usually somewhat short of a year's time. Each horse's teeth grow at different rates, so it's difficult for us to have a routine schedule, for all the horses to be floated at one time. It is a necessary procedure and will greatly contribute to the horses health and longevity. Gard |
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Expert
Posts: 1205
Location: Arkansas | Yep. last of December, our mules and horses all done. Mules, and donkeys and mini's too, folks, need those teeth done... |
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Member
Posts: 32
Location: indiana | I had my horses teeth floated last week after two years. The equine dentist told me that one part of having their mouth/teeth/bone structure sound was a good natural trim. He was saying the health of the teeth are directly connected to the hoof? A good trim job means better dental health. I do natural trim my horse and he told me the horse's teeth were in better shape after two years then most he had seen after one. Has anyone one else ever heard of this connection? |
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Regular
Posts: 65
Location: TN | I am very surprised to hear this about the Tom Thumb bit. Is it only the Tom Thumb or other broken bits as well? |
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Veteran
Posts: 235
Location: Keymar,Maryland | Originally written by smoothride on 2009-08-29 3:27 PM
I am very surprised to hear this about the Tom Thumb bit. Is it only the Tom Thumb or other broken bits as well? It has more to do with the hands connected to the bit. |
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Member
Posts: 31
Location: Way, Way Up North | I have mine checked every spring when they get their shots. Then I take those those needing floating/dental work done to the vet (he's also an equine dentist) in the fall before winter sets in. He can do a much better job if I take them there. Seems they need it about every other year. Some more often, some less. |
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Have you had your horses floated lately???
