BAEN Message Board

Dental problem

Posted by sierraserafino on 8/25/2011, 12:17 pm

What would you do? There is always a chance if you change something that is working for your horse that you can cause further problems.
One of those things of if it�s not broken don�t fix it. My horse is at least 22 years old in good shape and has small chronic problems/hock arthritis, that we manager, she is very ride able. The vet who is a chiropractor and acupuncturist came and looked at Sierra. She said she is only eating on one side of
her mouth and if we don�t get her teeth balanced, in the coming years she could lose a lot of teeth because of the imbalance. The imbalance
is so bad that the vet/chiro could not adjust my horses poll or her first vertebrae in her neck. The vet thinks this is from an old injury.
She consulted with my vet and he is concerned with her age and how well she is doing that if we start trying to fix something that she currently doesn�t have a problem with my horse could end up on pellets, she won�t be able to eat her hay anymore. Additional notes: The horse is 22years old and my vet has seen cases that if you start messing with the horses teeth they start wading there food and are no longer able to eat the grass so they have to go on pellet food. Thank you for your advice in advance.

Re: Dental problem

Posted by hreagon on 8/25/2011, 12:44 pm, in reply to "Dental problem"
192.8.31.239

Two years ago I took a horse in as a rescue that was roughly 24. She was losing weight, had her teeth checked and she was a mess. She is missing half her teeth and what is left is a mess. The dentist did the best he could do get some good grinding surfaces back, but I still supplement her. This is a result of the person before me not getting her teeth done for years. It is best to address now, and every year after. After a certain point on the older horses the teeth stop erupting and you will have minimal tooth to work with. So keep up what you have to save in the long run. While it's easy to overlook the teeth, you will be better off addressing sooner rather than later. Good luck.

I have an old guy too...

Posted by Stranger in Paradise on 8/25/2011, 12:53 pm, in reply to "Dental problem"
72.14.90.94

He has been seen by a dentist regularly, however, due to his age, there is not a lot left for the dentist to do. At his last visit he told me, that at his age you can only try to maintain what's left, smooth out sharp edges and such, but the fixing times are pretty much over. Not enough tooth left....I would talk to a good dentist and go from there....

Re: Dental problem

Posted by spottedfurkids on 8/25/2011, 1:16 pm, in reply to "Dental problem"
67.126.217.113

our old appy pony we adopted cant eat hay he just wades it up and find it all the pasture plus I dont want to risk any choke happening. about three days after arrival from the rescue (where he lost weight) we just put him on a pellet diet & he bloomed. He gets EGM Sr, scoop of rolled oats and sometimes LMF Sr. to just mix it up a bit. vet agreed keep the sharp edges down but not much else to do.

Re: Dental problem

Posted by sierraserafino on 8/25/2011, 1:17 pm, in reply to "Dental problem"
15.203.233.84

She is floated regulary in fact my vet just floated her teeth then someone told me she was in pain and her tmj was out so I investigated further and got another expert out. It is the second expert vet/chiro/acup doctor said she needs work done and she spoke with my vet, that's where we are now. I have appointment for Tuesday to start the long slow process but I am afraid to break what is working =(

Re: Dental problem

Posted by Tori on 8/25/2011, 2:11 pm, in reply to "Re: Dental problem"
99.196.147.26

I would ask a really great dentist that cares more about the horse than their pocketbook what they feel. Some are more conservative with geriatric horses because they don't want to do more damage than already exists.

http://www.nwequinedentistry.us
http://www.ritebiteeqd.com/
http://www.advancedwholehorsedentistry.com/
loosen up your budgie smugglers
http://snowyridge.blogspot.com
Front Range, Colorado

Re: Dental problem

Posted by sarahkate on 8/25/2011, 4:17 pm, in reply to "Dental problem"
208.87.137.231

I would find a great dentist (one who specializes) to come out and consult with you and your veterinarian. I would expect them to sedate my horse to be able to do a thorough exam, and show you what the problems are, and you can decide together what to proceed with. I would be concerned as well that you don't want to mess with something and make it worse, but a good dentist will not make things worse. Don't do anything you are not comfortable with.

One of the best dentists I have ever worked with is Ben Koertje. He once took an extra 2 hrs with me, pulled out his laptop, and went through his powerpoint for an upcoming lecture to veterinarians... I learned way more than I ever thought I would about teeth, wave formations, etc. I also like that he always has a veterinarian with him for sedation. He had me bridle up my horse too and helped me adjust the fit so the bit was sitting perfectly in his mouth.
******************
Will there be pie?

Re: Dental problem

Posted by Stranger in Paradise on 8/25/2011, 6:06 pm, in reply to "Re: Dental problem"
72.14.90.94

I second Ben. He worked many years ago on my old mare, who passed at age 29 and was able to chew hay all the way to the end....

Ben is one of the best....

Posted by Guinny1 on 8/27/2011, 10:55 pm, in reply to "Re: Dental problem"
184.8.107.209

I love his work. But I'm biased, he instructs at the Idaho equine dental school. Boy, can he tweak just about anything! I am always blown away when I watch him work. And yes, it is the protocol to do minimal corrective work on horses over 15. But you can balance out the pressure properly to take care of the TMJ pain and keep the mouth functional for the horse (which is the number 1 priority).

When it comes to equine dentistry, once it is broke, it is a hell of a lot harder to fix it than it is to have maintained it from the get go WITH an educated equine dentist.

Re: Dental problem

Posted by mustangdeb on 8/25/2011, 5:04 pm, in reply to "Dental problem"
76.102.63.31

contact Jerry Schmidt. He's a natural balance dentist and great. He's very straight forward and will do what's best for your horse. if your horse doesn't need anything he'll tell you. natural balance dentistry very focused on TMJ problems and balancing the mouth and how that affects the rest of the body.

http://www.nwequinedentistry.us/
Four Seasons Equine Wellness
Equine Craniosacral Therapy and Massage

Re: Dental problem

Posted by Stranger in Paradise on 8/25/2011, 6:09 pm, in reply to "Re: Dental problem"
72.14.90.94

Agree! He was very conservative with my old guy, which I really appreciated...he should be in the area again soon

Re: Dental problem

Posted by sierraserafino on 8/26/2011, 8:22 am, in reply to "Re: Dental problem"
15.203.233.84

I sent Jerry an email waiting on his response. Thank you all for your advice.

Re: Dental problem

Posted by ads equestrian on 8/26/2011, 9:13 am, in reply to "Re: Dental problem"
69.96.163.131

He is heading to England, so he might not be able to get to you for awhile. Just giving you a heads up. Jerry does my horses teeth and some of my clients. He is extremely busy, because he is so good, and a man of few words in email and on the phone, but he is exceptional in what he does.

He recently was here (shelton, WA) to do my herd of 5, he has done them once before. Three of them did not need their teeth done, and he did not charge me for checking their teeth. Wow is that rare or what!
My old draft, 20+, had two fractured teeth, and it was kind of an emergency as he could not eat hay, I put him on grass pasture and soaked timothy/beet pulp until Jerry could get here. Im fortunate in that I live in the same state but he goes everywhere.

He did tell me that when a horse reaches the age of 15, there is less to do and if the horse is set up right, may not need much for dental work as they get older. Key words, "set up right". Years of incorrect dental work can be so detrimental to a horse, and Ive seen so much damage done mostly by vets. There just isnt the training and knowledge there that a good equine dentist has from the necessary training.
"A good mentor produces leaders and thinkers."
Amy Allen
Shelton, WA (near state capitol, Olympia)
www.allenacres.com

Re: Dental problem

Posted by Stranger in Paradise on 8/26/2011, 9:46 am, in reply to "Re: Dental problem"
72.14.90.94

I got an email from him a week or two ago, asking what my schedule was in the next future, so I guess he is planning on being in the south bay soon...haven't heard from him since, though....

Re: Dental problem

Posted by ads equestrian on 8/26/2011, 1:21 pm, in reply to "Re: Dental problem"
72.102.135.243

yeah he will contact you. I sent him an email 3-4 days ago about cattle, he raises beef cattle, and got a quick response and then nothing.
He will get back to you. I just wait and I know I will hear from him closer to when he can get here. He is just extremely busy, but worth the wait.
"A good mentor produces leaders and thinkers."
Amy Allen
Shelton, WA (near state capitol, Olympia)
www.allenacres.com

Oh, I know...

Posted by Stranger in Paradise on 8/26/2011, 6:14 pm, in reply to "Re: Dental problem"
72.14.90.94

and I can wait. I've used him before. Just saying, that I think he might be in the Bay Area soon, since he contacted me...

I think he said he was

Posted by pjc on 8/26/2011, 8:43 pm, in reply to "Oh, I know..."
71.146.129.129

going to Shea's in Nov and planned to stop on his way back. Mebbe he will also stop on his way there!
Support lawn order. Grow neat grass.
Sunnyvale, CA

I hope it's sooner rather than later

Posted by Gail Ivey on 8/26/2011, 9:47 pm, in reply to "I think he said he was"
66.245.17.146

My horse is jamming his tongue between his teeth.
"Employ your time in improving yourself by other men's writings, so that you shall gain easily what others have labored hard for." -
Socrates

Just heard from him today. Coming mid September.

Posted by mustangmom on 8/27/2011, 7:55 am, in reply to "I hope it's sooner rather than later"

He said he'll be putting a schedule together soon and will be in the bay area in mid September. I've never used him before, but I'm looking forward to it because he's been so highly recommended by several of you!

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