Veterinarian explains why equine dental care is vital for horse health

Proper dental hygiene is essential not only for people but also for horses, which require regular dental care to maintain their health and comfort. Veterinarian Dr. Rebekah Hartfield says many horse owners might not realize how crucial this care is.

"Horses can have teeth problems just like humans, dogs or cats," Dr. Hartfield said. "It's really important to stay up with yearly wellness exams for your horses and their teeth."

What happens during a dental procedure?

The dental cleaning procedure, known as "floating," involves sedating the horse to keep it calm and pain-free. Veterinarians then use a speculum to keep the horse's mouth open while they examine and smooth the teeth with a specialized power tool.

"We use a power tool that floats the teeth to smooth out sharp points," Dr. Hartfield explained. "Those sharp points can cause pain and ulcers in the horse's mouth."

The procedure helps horses chew better, provides better digestion and improves their performance when being ridden.

Who should perform equine dental care?

Dr. Hartfield stresses that only licensed veterinarians or qualified equine dentists should perform floating, particularly because sedation is involved.

She says the most important thing is that sedation must be prescribed by a veterinarian. "A veterinary-client-patient relationship has to be established before sedation can be given."

For more information, visit DoctorHartfield.com.

Upcoming event

Dr. Hartfield also shared a community event at her urgent care clinic in Mannford. She said she'll be reading Stewart the Goat to kids at 10:30 a.m. with a guest visit from Stewart himself.