Float a Horses Teeth -- What Does that Mean and Why is it Necessary?

So what does it mean to float a horse's teeth? I'm sure you've heard this a time or two (if you haven't, sooner or later you will from another horse owner or from your vet), and if you're like me, you imagined for the longest time what this could possibly mean and wondered what it involved.

To float a horse's teeth certainly sounds funny, too.

Floating means to smooth or contour your horse's teeth with a file (called a "float"). Unlike your own teeth, your horse's teeth keep growing. At times, your horse's teeth may develop sharp edges, making it difficult for her to chew food, hold a bit, or simply have pain and discomfort inside her mouth.

An adult horse may have between 36-44 permanent teeth. And just like humans, your horse gets two sets of teeth in her lifetime. Your horse starts out with temporary baby teeth and by age five, will most likely have her full set of permanent teeth.

The horse's front teeth cut hay and grass, while the top and bottom cheek teeth grind the forage between the flat surfaces in a sideways motion. This grinding action breaks down the food into a pulp before swallowing which helps it to be digested better. If your horse is unable to grind down food all the way due to uneven teeth surfaces, the unchewed food will not be digested as well.

Most often, points develop on the upper cheek teeth toward the outside of the mouth next to your horse's cheek. And on the bottom cheek teeth toward the inside of the mouth next to your horse's tongue. These points can then cut into the cheek and tongue making your horse uncomfortable.

Though it may seem tedious and like a burden, you know having routine dentist check-ups contribute to the overall good health of your own teeth. Well, your horse is no different and deserves some of the same attention to her teeth as you give to yours. Confined horses or those that do not have the ability to graze all day are more prone to teeth overgrowth, as they are not naturally grinding their teeth all day to keep them smooth. Also, just like you, your horse can have other dental problems. A horse can have excessively worn teeth, loose or broken teeth, or infected gums.

One sign that your horse's teeth may need to be floated is if she is consistently dropping food from her mouth and you start seeing signs of weight loss. Your horse may also exhibit behavior like head-tossing or opening her mouth frequently.

Possible horse dental problem indicators:

• Drops food from her mouth
• Exhibits difficulty in chewing
• Excessive salivation
• Loss of weight
• Undigested food particles in manure
• Head-tossing
• Excessive bit chewing
• Resisting having the bridle put on
• Difficult handling while riding
• Mouth odor
• Blood in the mouth
• Face swelling
• Nasal discharge

Because horses are adaptable creatures, even if they are having discomfort, some do not show any signs of dental problems. So don't assume that if there are no symptoms, there are no problems.

Sharp teeth edges can hurt the inside of your horse's mouth causing pain and creating sores on her tongue or cheeks. Your horse may show resistance when riding due to added pain from the bit pressing against the sores.

The vet or equine dentist will carefully file all your horse's teeth that need smoothing to achieve a flat grinding surface between the upper and lower teeth. Having your horse's teeth floated is well worth it so she digests her food better, is in better spirits, and makes riding more enjoyable for you both.

How often floating is necessary varies quite a bit from one horse to another. Some horses seem to have slower-growing teeth and may require floating only once every several years while others may require floating every few months. Even if your horse does not require her teeth to be floated often, it is still a good idea to have her teeth and gums examined once a year.

The procedure the vet typically uses to float your horse's teeth is to first sedate your horse to make her relaxed. A special halter is put on with a rope thrown over a ceiling rafter or the equivalent in order to hold your horse's head up. A mouth speculum is used to keep your horse's mouth open. The vet will then either manually file your horse's teeth using a rasp in a back and forth motion to flatten the high points, or may use a power tool. The whole procedure is quick and painless - taking about 15 to 20 minutes to complete.

If you're like me, you cringe at the thought of someone filing away on your teeth with a rasp. You can imagine the shooting pain from the nerves in your teeth. Personally, the dentist can't give me enough Novocain to make me feel comfortable before poking around or drilling in my mouth.

Unlike us, a horse's nerves end close to the gumline, so there is no nerve where the tooth is being worked on, and therefore does not feel any nerve pain. We humans should be so lucky.

Randall Holman, site owner of Front Range Frenzy and horse enthusiast, is the author of the above article. You will find other easy and practical basic horse care information on his website: http://www.FrontRangeFrenzy.com.

---

How To Keep Your Cat Healthy - Your Guide to Cat Diseases and Conditions, and How to Cure Them

Even with the best care, cats can become ill. Sometimes... Read More

Dog Training Basics

All positive commands should be spoken sharply and distinctly during... Read More

Online: The Fastest, Cheapest, Easiest Way to Buy and Sell a Horse

Selling a HorseThe best new tool for people selling horses... Read More

Dog Supplies: Whats Needed Versus What Might Be Fun to Have

Buying a new dog is more than simply finding the... Read More

Wormy Dogs? - Understand Dog Worms Infestation and Their Symptoms

Until a very recent period, dog worms were thought to... Read More

Is Your Dog Fat?

Obesity is one of the greatest health concerns facing dogs.... Read More

Dog Health: About Worms and Their Side Effects

Your dog's health is a very important part of overall... Read More

New Puppies-The Cure For Insomnia-What You Can Do To Help You New Pupppy Adjust

Puppies have a natural instinct inside that causes them to... Read More

Grapes, Nuts, and Your Dogs Health -- Foods that Fido should Avoid

"Magoo was a big, playful Labrador retriever who often got... Read More

Dog Food - Which Diet is Best for Dogs?

Why The Food You Give Your Dog Matters!If you're like... Read More

Chinchillas As Pets

You may wish to consider a chinchilla as a possible... Read More

Aquarium Supplies Part 1 -- My First Experience With Bettas

Keeping fish as pets takes more than just feeding them... Read More

Our Pets Behavior

Behavior can be a huge iisue with our pets. If... Read More

Crate Training Dogs & Puppies- FAQ

1) Why should I crate train my dog? ... Read More

Choosing Dog Tags for Your Canine

Remember when you first met your dog? He was fresh... Read More

Parrot Keeping

Parrots are becoming more popular as pets with each passing... Read More

Westies Dogs and Your Children

Almost without exception, breeders will advertise that their favorite terrier,... Read More

Parvo in Dogs

What Is ParvoParvo is a serious viral disease that can... Read More

Tips For Traveling With Your Dog

Wether it be on a vacation to your favorite resort,... Read More

The Pros and Cons of Vaccinating Your Dog

To vaccinate or not to vaccinate? That's become the burning... Read More

Adopt A Pet

In order to add love and affection to their lives,... Read More

Must-Have Know-How On Your Dogs Meal-Times

One of the best parts of the day for any... Read More

7 Good Reasons for Playing With Your Cat

Playing reinforces the bond between you and your cat.Playing with... Read More

How To Raise A Goldfish

Did you know that your goldfish can live for over... Read More

How to Keep Your Cat Free from Diseases with Your Quick Guide to Cat Grooming

Even a cat that compulsively cleans itself can benefit from... Read More

The Myth of 100% Complete Processed Pet Foods

Every day, people by the millions pour food from a... Read More

Whats the Real Deal on Pet Insurance?

Even if you haven't had a run-in involving your pet... Read More

How to Make Your Pets Healthier and Happier

Pets are family members and should be treated as such.... Read More

Preparing for Your New Pet

Getting a new pet can be a lot of fun.... Read More

Why Should We Get Kittens as Pets?

Kittens are and have always been adorable creatures. Of course,... Read More

How To Stop Your Dog From Barking ? Training Your Dog To Keep Quiet

Quieting a barking dog is a quick and easy process.... Read More

How To Find Your Lost Dog

The first thing to do when searching for a lost... Read More

Seeing Past Cuteness When Selecting the Best Dog Breed For You: Part 1 of 3

Are there so many great dog breeds out there that... Read More