What to Expect from a Horse Dental Check-up

Initial information and Assessment

Upon arrival we will assess the working environment, we ideally require a stable or an enclosed area, ideally with a clean non slip flooring or bedding. We will also require a bucket of fresh clean water upon arrival, if it’s a freezing day and warm water is available that is also very much appreciated, but not expected. 

The attending equine dental technician will then take a brief history and get any general information from the horse owner or yard owner that has been left in charge of the horse/pony booked in for treatment. We then enter all this information onto our digital dental charting system. 

External Facial Examination

We then assess the overall condition of the horse.

We then look and palpitate for any facial swellings, lumps or bumps and visually asses for any nasal discharge or foul smelling breath.

Check and palpate the temporal mandibular joint for any swelling or soreness.

Check for wolf teeth, canines and asses incisor balance.

Inspection of the Mouth

We then quietly fit the speculum and gently open it. 

Flush the mouth out liberally with equine dental mouth wash.

Using a good headlight/speculum light, mirror or oral camera we thoroughly inspect the oral cavity, looking for overlong or displaced or loose  teeth, decay, check ulcers and any other abnormalities.

Using our hands, we palpate the teeth for sharp enamel points

We then shut the speculum closed to give the horse/pony a rest.

Treatment

The fndings are then discussed with the owner and treatment plan discussed.

Overgrowths reduced, sharp enamel points floated and first cheek tooth profiled to reduce pinching of soft tissue from the bit.

During this time the speculum is closed at frequent intervals to give the horse/pony a rest.

We then check work using headlight/speculum light, mirror or oral camera, and palpitate before closing and removing the speculum.

Final Check

We then check incisors and check that the horse has good lateral excursion (side to side movement) of the lower jaw, good occlusion (grind) and anterior / posterior movement of the lower jaw.

Buff sharp or overlong canines

Then give the horse/pony a pat!

Dental Chart

Each horse/pony will have its own digital dental chart including all findings and treatments performed.

The digital chart and invoice is emailed to the client along with a statement. An automatic reminder will also be emailed one month before the next appointment is due.

Routine treatments will take approximately 30 minutes.

Address

Ashgrove Farm,
Sand,
Wedmore,
Somerset,
BS28 4XF
Great Britain