Let's talk about teeth floating..........

[Pam Cantwell]

Boring maybe but much less controversial and soooooo needed on every horse! Maybe a young person or a beginner horse person will learn something from this thread.

[Julie]

Haha...I like the last choice.  Unfortunatly newbies don't always know this for a long time!  I would like to have mine floated every 6 months but I do try to get it done before a year is up.

[Pam Cantwell]

Thanks! Ya'll have to vote to see the results!

[mammadearborn]

I have my horses teeth floated when they need it, usually between 6 mo. and 1 yr.  Some hores are harder on their teeth than others, that why I try to keep a check.

[Pam Cantwell]

Maybe this will help someone too.........

Floating a horse's teeth should be a routine practice. Their teeth grow constantly throughout their life.     Their teeth can grow into sharp "points" - so sharp that the horse can severely cut his tongue and inside of his cheeks in normal chewing as well as causing mouth ulcers. Floating is a process in which a large file (a float) is used to file down any sharp "points". How often this is necessary depends on the horse much the way one human's hair grows faster than another.  Most common is between 6 months to a year.

Not only can this cause a horse to "act up" out of pain while riding but could also lead to colic or impaction from not being able to chew their food properly. It can also make a horse body sore from the tension and pain.
If you see grain falling from your horse's mouth, or he or she is acting different while riding or taking a bit, please have their teeth checked. Check with the previous owner and see if they ever had a "float" performed.

If your horse loses a tooth, the other remaining tooth below it may grow too long also. Bad, rotten teeth can be painful too and may need to be pulled.

Points on a horse's teeth are very painful! See an equine veterinarian or a very reputable and knowledgeable equine dentist!

P.S. If you ride a gelding, you might want to have him "beaned" at each float session...........Nuther subject! Someone else can have this one! LOL

[cowgirlsrule87]

so are you suppose to get them done every 6 months i do mine every year because between school and workin part time at mcdonalds i dont always have the money do them every 6 months!

[Pam Cantwell]

You are fine! I'm so glad you have it done once a year! Some people don't do it all! Some horses teeth grow way faster than others so they need it more often. Your horse is very lucky to have you as an owner!!!

[jenijill]

I normally do mine when I have coggins done.  which of course is every year.  If the vet  was to tell me i might need to do it more often then I would. (hi there)

[Jess00]

I normally do mine when I have coggins done.  which of course is every year.  If the vet  was to tell me i might need to do it more often then I would. (hi there)

That's a good rule to follow.  I never forget when my coggins are due, but never remember when they are due for floating, I may have to try that.

[hwhranch]

I saw the dentist every 6 months for 1 1/2 years until he said they were all good to go for a year.  They needed some work that he didn't want to do all at once so we had 6 month intervals.  I had always had them checked every year but am really glad I found this equine dentist.  My vet did a  really good job but it was getting to much for him.

[cowgirlsrule87]

You are fine! I'm so glad you have it done once a year! Some people don't do it all! Some horses teeth grow way faster than others so they need it more often. Your horse is very lucky to have you as an owner!!!

well thanks pam i love my horses and if they need it more often then i would do it more often its just hard to have the money when you are 17 going to school and trying to work a part time job! oh ya that reminds me does anyone know where i can go to apply for good scholarships! i wont to go to tarelton in stephenville to become a equine vet!

[Sherry May]

I have a very good equine dentist.  She said, young horses usually should be done every six months because their teeth will grow faster than the older horses.  When I had Flash and Breaker done, Flash's teeth were really bad ( he is a 4 year old) and Breaker's teeth were not bad at all (he is 18).  I check my horses with my hands.  If they feel pointed to me, I get them done.  Also, if they drop feed or have other problems or the vet says to have them checked, I do it.

Pam, it would not let me do the poll.

[Julie]

I was told  that you could throw a handful of whole corn into the feed daily and that would help with the sharp points.

[Pam Cantwell]

I've never heard of this but just to clarify something about corn: Uncleaned corn (like deer corn or duck corn) bought at feed stores can contain aphlatoxins (sp) and can be deadly to horses. The corn in horse feed has been cleaned and checked.

[playindueces]

I do mine to once a year with the coggins, but if I notice they are dropping food or weight I take them to have them checked.  the vet told me when they get a little older you don't have to do it is often on some horses, but I still get them checked anyway.