Posted by Dr. Cory Reng on June 15 2004 16:40
Equine Newsletter 3rd Quarter 2004
Q: What is floating?
A: Floating involves using a set of special files to remove the sharp points on horse teeth.
Q: Why do points form?
A: Unlike human teeth, horse teeth grow continuously. As the horse chews, the teeth grind on the opposing teeth. Due to the offset nature of a horses jaw, the teeth wear in a way that leaves points on the outside of the upper teeth and the inside of the lower teeth.
Q: How can you tell if your horses teeth need to be floated?
A: The points on the lower teeth can cut into the tongue. The points on the upper teeth will cut into the cheek. This pain and discomfort can cause an array of symptoms. These can include quidding (dropping partially chewed food), head shaking, whole grain in the manure, weight loss, and in extreme situations, starvation. You can get some idea that they need to be floated if horses lose weight in spite of a good appetite, if the horse is in good flesh while on grass but loses weight on hay, or if you can feel the points through the side of the cheek.
Q: How often should I have my horses teeth floated?
A: Most horses need their teeth floated every year. Young horses and older horses may need dental attention more often. Young horses start to lose their caps (decidous teeth) at 2.5 years of age. If caps do not fall out correctly, they can cause abnormal wear of the opposing molar. If not corrected, this improper wear will continue to worsen throughout a horse's life. Older horses often have missing teeth, or are old enough that their teeth are no longer growing out. This can lead to severe problems such as teeth growing into the opposite jaw.
Q: Why is fall a good time to have my horses teeth floated?
A: Many horses eat grass during the summer. Grass is a very tender, digestible feed source. In the winter, most horses are fed hay. Because it is dried and less tender, hay takes more chewing. If a horse's teeth have points, the horse will not be comfortable chewing the hay sufficiently for proper digestibility. This causes many horses to lose weight over the winter. It is especially important for a geriatric horse's teeth to be in good condition.
Q: I think my horse's teeth need to be floated, what now?
A: You should call a veterinarian or certified equine dentist for a full evaluation of your horse's dental health. They will sedate your horse and use a speculum to hold your horse's mouth open. This will allow them to do a thorough examination of the mouth, including the cheek teeth (molars). The veterinarian can then use an assortment of files and other tools to remove "points" and correct uneven tooth wear.