[MelissaH]

After my thread about Dubie's bit avoidance, I have an appt next Monday for floating both horses teeth.

I must admit....I never had his teeth floated since I owned him the last 2 1/2 years so maybe this is the problem. I can't stand the thought of him possibly hurting because of that. So we'll see what the vet says. Should riding be avoided til then? What do you think?

[BettyBootsy]

With just a float you can ride after the drugs wear off. Wolf teeth we wait a day or two and some don't. I usually will wait till the next day.

[Top Dun]

depends on what the vet/dentist says about the teeth and if sedation has to be given. could be one day or a couple days to let the horse get over the floating.

some times if the horse is quite sore ( ie has some cuts on the inside of the mouth from the sharp teeth) it's best to wait a few days.

[BklynCwgrl]

Melissa...have you felt his teeth? Do they feel sharp? Did Reyes ever mention it? Did he have trouble putting the bit in also?

[Dawn]

I think she's asking about before the appointment. If you suspect that he might have issues, I wouldn't ride. It's not even a week till then, so you won't be too bad off. After the appointment it depends on what's been done on how soon you ride after that. I like to give a good day at least after just floating. I know I always feel a bit crabby after a dental visit, I'm sure my horse does too. Having those speculums in make your jaws so, so sore. Teeth pulling it depends upon the location and also they why of the extraction.

[MelissaH]

Originally Posted by Dawn

I think she's asking about before the appointment. If you suspect that he might have issues, I wouldn't ride. It's not even a week till then, so you won't be too bad off. After the appointment it depends on what's been done on how soon you ride after that. I like to give a good day at least after just floating. I know I always feel a bit crabby after a dental visit, I'm sure my horse does too. Having those speculums in make your jaws so, so sore. Teeth pulling it depends upon the location and also they why of the extraction.

Yes Dawn, I mean before he comes

Robin....Dubie has been fighting the bit for a while now. It makes for a totally unpleasant experience. It's like a fight to the death with him. Reyes never mentioned it, I am thinking it. Since his teeth have never been looked at since I owned him. And yes, he has trouble putting in the bit too and he's a little guy.

[IheartDuke]

I agree, it is probably best to not put a bit in his mouth if it may hurt him. It is not worth creating any negative responses/ or behavioral experiences for him....You may want to try just lunging him for now if you are concerned about keeping him exercised!

[Lindsayanne]

Once they have his mouth braced open- definitely ask to reach in and feel the before and after. Sounds weird, but diving in there up to the elbow not only helped me understand the tooth thing, but the anatomy of the mouth in general. And it was cool.

[MelissaH]

Originally Posted by Lindsayanne

Once they have his mouth braced open- definitely ask to reach in and feel the before and after. Sounds weird, but diving in there up to the elbow not only helped me understand the tooth thing, but the anatomy of the mouth in general. And it was cool.

Yes, that's a good idea. That way I really get the hands on and know what to expect.

[Haas Horse Farm]

If you look hard you can also see the scaring on the sides from the hooks. Seeing inside a horses mouth will change a lot in how you view it. You can also see the caps changing and other things (depending on the horses age, of course).

I have learned a lot from getting my horses teeth done and one thing I learned the hard way was just someone using floating files is not enough if they do not have the device to hold the horses mouth open. I will never waste my money on a person who does not have the right tools and been to an oral course.

I bought a mare that a guy had some "amish" dude float cause it was only $25... well I had to take her to the vet a couple months later and have her teeth done again because he missed all the ones in the back and there was one that was chipped in the front.

Happy looking at teeth!