Before and after shots of a large rostral hook on the upper right premolar. Dental float performed using Powerfloat under sedation and using a mouth speculum to hold the mouth open and allow thorough examination and floating of all teeth. This horse had large hooks on both upper number 6 premolars (the front premolars) and large caudal hooks on the lower number 11 molars (the furthest molars back). Horses should have their teeth examined every 1 to 2 years (sometimes more often if the horse is older and/or has significant dental abnormalities). Because of the way their teeth are lined up and because they chew with a side to side motion, in addition to hooks such as in this picture, razor sharp points also form on the cheek side of the upper teeth and on the tongue side of the lower teeth. If left too long, they can cause trauma to the mouth, interfere with the bit, cause weight loss due to inadequate digestion, and cause sinus infections. Floating is a procedure which files off these sharp points and reduces hooks to allow proper and comfortable chewing.
Posted on: Sat, 21 Jun 2014 14:40:44 +0000
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