Suggested Dental Care Schedule:

The following suggestions are valid for an animal with no observable feeding or condition issues.

First Exam:
We like to see the horse before a bit is introduced for training, typically at 2 years of age. Wolf teeth are extracted at this time. A bit seat may be considered depending on individual mouth structure.

Check Up:
An annual exam is recommended for all horses. Yearly maintenance will correct irregularities before they become problems. Sharp points and bite issues can be controlled, and the animal’s comfort insured.

Any time a horse is:
• throwing feed,
• holding his head at an unnatural angle while feeding or
•showing resistance to biting,
an exam should be ordered immediately.

Anytime you observe a feeding or behavior issue, consider having a dental exam to rule out mouth pain. Older horses may require additional dental care and more frequent exams. A convenient time to remember dental evaluation is to coordinate it with your vaccination schedule.

Equine Dentistry

All the veterinarians at Creekside have participated in continuing education in the field of equine dentistry, and have made a commitment to perform quality dentistry services as part of our comprehensive program in preventative medicine. We have made this commitment because we feel the continuity of care and knowledge of the particular needs of each patient and their medical history are vital. All too often we are seeing the administration of sedatives and pharmaceuticals by unqualified and unlicensed individuals. In several cases we have seen severe medical consequences and owners wishing they had used a licensed professional. Clients find that our services are very reasonably priced and a very good value for the time and effort that is extended. Please don't overlook the importance of proper dentistry as we believe it to be one of the most critical contributors to your horse's longevity and performance.

Common Myths About Equine Dentistry

Horse don't need dentistry until the are old!-------WRONG!! Any horse that is going into training and going to have a bit in it's mouth should have the wolf teeth removed and the sharp enamel points ground down. Deciduous caps (shedding baby teeth) and deciduous incisors ( front baby teeth) should also be removed at this time. A good visual inspection of the mouth will allow the notation of any other dental issues which should be monitored in the future.

Dentistry is too painful for my horse!------Wrong!!  Every effort is made to keep the process as pain free as possible beginning with proper sedation/ analgesia, proper head and neck support, and the use of safe tools in the mouth. Pain management, such as anti-inflammatory medication, is used to provide comfort after the sedation wears off.

Dentistry is too expensive!------- Wrong!!  The costs of NOT doing proper dental care are often much greater than the cost of maintenance dentistry. Malocclusions, fractured or loose teeth, severe ramps, and wave mouths can all lead to the formation of dental abscesses, sinus infection, or costly surgical extractions. Colic or choke can occur when the horse inadequately chews it's food. Poor performance in the show pen is often a result of painful conditions in the mouth that prevent normal response to the bit. Poor weight maintenance can also be due to difficulty chewing feed.

Our experience over the years and the hundreds of dentals we have performed illustrate to us that dentistry is one of the most important services we can provide.

Please feel free to contact us if you have further questions about our dental services, either by e-mail at creeksidevets@yahoo.com or by phone at 760-751-1020.

 

 

 

 
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