I TalkHorses.com

Does Your Horse Need Dental Work?

 At some point, all horses will need dentistry work. Here are a few hints that your horse may give you if their teeth need to be floated:

- Reluctance to eat

- Poor hair coat

- Difficulty chewing food

- Bitting problems (fighting the

bit, difficulty bridling, etc)

- Digestive problems (colic,

diarrhea)

Going into winter, it is especially important that your horse’s teeth are in good shape.  Proper digestion and utilization of feed starts with the mouth. If your horse has dental issues, the digestion process will be sub optimal. Examine your horse’s manure for undigested feed such as oats and hay stems. If you notice pieces of whole oats or hay stems longer than ½ inch, your horse is not properly chewing its feed, and thus the food is not being properly digested. When the feed is not properly digested, your horse is missing out on essential nutrients. It's recommend that horses have a dental exam starting at age 2.

Jake Simmons, CEqD

Block and Bridle Veterinary Service

32649 WCR 53

Greeley, CO 80631

 http://www.blockandbridlevets.com