If you’re not an equine enthusiast, you may not understand how horses and power tools go hand in hand. I was a bit confused when I was shadowing an equine veterinarian this summer and he pulled out a very large tool box. I was even more concerned at the huge drill that was removed from the box along with the barbaric looking speculum. Little did I know that these tools are commonplace for use in equine dentistry.
Unlike humans, horses have unique dental structures and types of teeth. Their teeth have a hypsodont morphology, allowing for protection against constant abrasion associated with an herbivorous diet. The front teeth are composed of incisors to grab and tear forages. The back teeth are premolars and molars (called cheek teeth) that are used to grind the diet. These teeth erupt very slowly throughout the life of the horse to make up for the constant wear and tear.
Good dental health is pivotal for the overall health of the horse. Uneven wear or dental disease may cause horses to stop eating, develop ulcers in the mouth, increase the likelihood of choke, and can be downright painful. For these reasons, routine dental care is an especially important aspect of equine medicine.
Equine veterinarians typically assess a horse’s dental condition at each routine examination. They use the owner’s history to investigate for any clinical signs associated with dental problems. Then they will perform a quick palpation of the horse’s face and look within the mouth. If abnormalities are found, the horse is then sedated for a closer look.
Once sedated, the veterinarian will use a speculum to safely open the horse’s mouth. Then, they can place their hands in the mouth to feel for signs of dental disease. Hooks and points are caused by the uneven wear, which can then result in ulcers and painful chewing. These areas need to be ground down by a process called “floating.” Floating the teeth consists of using a rasp or power drill with a diamond bit. These abrasive tools grind down the hooks and pins to normalize the surface, allowing the horse to eat without pain.
These problems are extremely common in horses. As they age, it becomes more and more important to address their dental concerns. Most horses will require their teeth to be floated on a yearly basis.
Now that my eyes have been opened to the world of equine dentistry, I will never look at a power drill the same way ever again.
