Equine Dentistry And The Importance Of Flabby Cheeks
Posted by Geoff Tucker on Mon, Dec 01, 2008
The opinions and views of this blog is for information and entertainment only and should not be used as a substitute for seeking advice from your veterinarian about your horse and your situation. Specific advice may only be given after a valid veterinary - client - patient relationship is made.
For some reason I get everyone’s attention when I say “flabby cheeks”, but its’ importance cannot be overstated. It is the reason behind the creation of a bit seat and why many horses have trouble with a bit in their mouth.
“Flabby cheeks” is my description of excessive cheek tissue just behind the corners of the lips. This picture is an example of a bad case where the cheek tissue drapes over the lower left first cheek tooth.
In my experience, many of these horses are easy to float as long as I don’t go anywhere near the lower first cheek teeth. Often, I need to administer pain medication to finish the float. These horses are literally scarred of anticipated pain. My goal is to round the front aspect of this tooth so when the excessive tissue moves into this area, it can also easily move out without becoming trapped. The horse in this picture actually had a sore that is underneath the skin.
Another area where excessive tissue can become trapped and pinched by the teeth is at the base of the tongue next to the last bottom cheek teeth. These horses are very sensitive and respond favorably to the smoothing of the inside area of the last bottom teeth. I call this “Flabby Tongue” and is less common than “Flabby Cheeks”.
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