Equine Tooth Problems
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Lucky takes his turn
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HELPFUL EQUIPMENT
Keeping the horse's head in position for serious dental repairs can be a
cumbersome task. In this example Ben Koertje and Antony de Cserantony
used approved veterinary sling halters and slings run over a bow gate to
position the horses' heads at the proper level for work being performed,
yet still keep the horses comfortable during the procedure.
(Antony hails from West Yorkshire, England and is working with Ben in preparation for his certification exam.) |
The mobile vetting chute has also made it a great deal easier to safely hold and work on most horses.
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"Here's what I think of this!
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Power reciprocating float.
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A stand utilizing the principles of
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AFTERTHOUGHTS |
In at least a couple of states, the veterinary associations have managed to
place significant restrictions on equine dentistry. They pretty much require that
a veterinarian do most of the procedures. While we certainly do not advocate that
untrained and uncertified personnel perform any procedures on a horse, and we believe that a
veterinarian should administer any tranquilizers, overregulation such as is in the state of
Maryland is at best provincial. It would be akin to requiring us humans to go to a
medical doctor for a periodontal problem.
Except for a few DVM dental specialists, most honest veterinarians will admit that they neither have the specialized training, instruments or experience to efficiently perform advanced dental work. Thus not only does the cost for advanced dental work become out of reach for many average "family" horse owners, but the horse and consumer are getting a lower quality product for that money. Equine dentistry should be limited to schooled and certified practitioners, but regulations should not be so strict that they actually preclude animals from getting affordable needed care. Since dental problems can be the root cause for a number of health related issues in the horse, appropriate services must be accessible to the whole spectrum of horse owners. Hopefully these few states will see what the others are doing and join us in the 21st century. Please also see
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