Equine Dentistry - How Often Should They Be Floated?
Posted by Geoff Tucker on Mon, Jul 06, 2009
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.
The frequency of floating a horse is variable and is related to the individual horse. Often, we think of prevention on a mechanical device, like how often do you change oil in a car's engine. A horse is a living thing and not a machine. It is the threshold of pain that determines how frequently you need to float. Other determinants are genetics, age, and discipline. The least determinant is the cost because the benefit of preventing pain inside the horse's mouth is well worth the little annual cost you spend getting it done. Plus, this one preventive act may help decrease other costs such as lost hay and grain (spilled or not eaten due to pain), lost training time (horse is more compliant and willing to learn), and decreased vet bills (a more comfortable horse is usually more healthy).
FAQ by
Geoff Tucker, DVM is licensed under a
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Blog by
Geoff Tucker, DVM is licensed under a
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