How often do you have your horses teeth floated?

[lovemytbs]

1) Every 6 Months

2) Once a year

3) Once every 2 years

4) I cannot remember the last time!

5) Other, please explain

[Personal Champ]

I have mine checked 2x a year, but they usually only get done once, at least so far.

[citydog]

Other.

Checked when the "tooth fairy" comes to the barn (2x per year) done as necessary. *Usually* it's only needed once a year.

[allisontatman]

I voted once a year. My vet does a power float and it really fixes any issues, so I don't see the need for doing it more often. My guys have pretty "normal" teeth, so that probably makes a difference as well.

[undersaddle]

I have my girls done once a year (usually in the fall)........barring any unexpected issues. But her teeth are also checked during her spring shots/check-up appointment (I split the shots, so I have my vet do a full check-up, eyes, teeth, etc., at the first spring visit).

[Wigwag]

They get checked twice a year, but he always just gets it once a year (spring). He did have some dental issues one year and was done twice.

[bludejavu]

I checked "other". My horses are always checked by the vet when a Coggins test is pulled. If they are sharp, then they are floated then. I check them myself after six months and have the vet refloat if needed.

[Milocalwinnings]

Milo gets his done once a year in the winter. Bless my vet, his office really doesn't coordinate things well- they offer a 20% off for floats in the winter because buisness is usually slower- but that means my vet gets more float appointments, and in the dead of winter, wet hands are not fun! :o

[amastrike]

About once a year, or as needed.

[deltawave]

Checked twice a year, floated when needed, which is usually once a year, sometimes more, sometimes less.

[webmistress32]

other - whenever my vet says they need to be done.

he checks teeth at spring shots and fall shots. usually about 2 horses get done each outing.

I hope no one needs their teeth done tomorrow, I scheduled him to come out during my normal Sat riding time!

[appychik]

Other.

Ditto on when the equine dentist is out. Usually they do need to be done twice a year, least for Gus. Both guys are checked twice a year regardless and then done if needed.

[Guilherme]

Checked annually, done as required. Older horses usually done annually, but sometimes they go two years and sometimes they need an extra one in six months. Younger horses usually go two, sometimes three years.

G.

[EqTrainer]

Checked twice a year, floated when needed, which is usually once a year, sometimes more, sometimes less.

:yes: Mouth issues are much better off avoided rather than dealt with afterwards!

[jetsmom]

Under 5 yrs old, or over 14, twice a yr. Otherwise yearly.

[Kementari]

Other...

They are checked by a pro (equine dentist or vet, depending on which I'm using for teeth :)) every spring and by me (yes, I know how ;)) in the fall at least (and any time I think I might be seeing signs of a problem). They are floated whenever they need it: rarely (for my two) more than once a year (baby needed a 6-month job once as a 3 y/o, and Jude had a 6-month one a few years back - but in that case, the vet who did the first float didn't do a very good job), and often not for 18-24 months. :yes:

It really does depend on the horse, though - I've known horses with "normal" teeth who very much needed to be done routinely every six months, and that's not to mention the horses who have alignment issues and may need to be touched up even more often. And on the other hand, Jude, when younger, went 5 YEARS without needing a float, and I trained a horse once whose owner couldn't ever recall have had his teeth done (she'd owned him for upwards of 10 years), and when I had him was just at that "Yeah, they should be done soon-ish, but it's not a rush" stage.

I definitely vote for having teeth CHECKED every 6 months, though - and then floated when the checks indicate they need it. :yes:

[KristiKGC]

Kai is done every 6 months, so Gambler is checked every 6 months. Kai gets horrible ulcers and very aggitated (rightfully so!) if he goes more than 7 or 8 months without being floated, and he does have "normal" teeth. Typically Gam only needs it yearly, but this year he's going to need to be done twice.

[Woodsperson]

Once a year usually. When I had a youngster, they were floated every 6 months.

[andy825]

Other- the vet checks twice a year and floats them as needed.

[Tiger Horse]

I voted other, please explain -

My mare's teeth are checked by the "horse" dentist twice a year - floated if needed. We usually end up floating once a year . . . although one year she also needed it at six months.

[Chief2]

Checked twice yearly, floated as needed.

[BumbleBee]

I checked every 6 months but should have checked other.

I seam to magically buy horses with crappy teeth. My dentist/vet actually has started laughing at my misfortune. I hold the horses for him all 40 and my 2 were the only ones who were so bad they needed serious managment.

At first my vet felt really bad for me but I figure it's better than a suspensory issue so now he just mocks me for my horses with crapy teeth.

The pony I just sold I had only one year and his teeth were done 3 times in one year. By a great dental specialist using a powerfloat.

He was fixed by the time I sold him but they were supper crappy. (big ramps back and front)

My remaining and keeper horse has been done 5 times in 2 years and will be done again in the next few weeks. His issue my vet likes to remind me is of "conformational" origin. I like to soften that blow by reminding him they only got so bad because his mouths issues were neglected and allowed to run rampant for his first 4 years of life.

They are thankfully getting much better and my vet thinks they can wait for the 6 month mark but I really want them fixed so am doing them at the 5 month mark just to speed things along a bit.:yes:

[Frank B]

As needed, but examined every six months. My gelding usually needed it annually.

[BornToRide]

I no longer float every year. Every 2 - 3 years I think is enough and recent research comfirmed there's not a very strong link between teeth care and performance.

I think teeth floating is also overdone, just like worming and vaccinations in a horse that has an uncomplicated mouth. It possibly takes too much enamel away over the life of the horse, leaving them with not enough to chew with when they are older.
My mini was just done after 3 or 4 years and he had no serious issues because of the longer duration between floatings.

[Sanity Rules]

Generally once a year ... unless the vet says otherwise. :yes:

[eqdent]

For my personal horses, I check everyone every 6 months. I have 3 retired geriatrics, ages 22, 26, & 30. The 30 year old has the best teeth! These three get floated every 6-9 months. Makes it much easier on me, and I only have to spend a few minutes in each mouth, just taking off the developing points and checking for expiring teeth/periodontal disease. The 22 year old developed a saggital fracture (up the middle of the tooth, splitting it in half) in between check ups. It can happen in older horses, especially ones with Cushings like her) as the teeth age.

In older horses, you want to check them at least once a year, and providing they are done on a routine basis (not skipping multiple years) floating will balance the mouth and the EqDT/vet will not be taking too much off, but expanding the usefulness of the teeth. A good one will not shorten the occlusal surface, but be reducing the ridges and points that form on the outside of the upper teeth (often causing cheek ulcers) and inside on the lower teeth. This is due to the fact that the uppers are wider and overlap the lowers, and the lateral chewing action of the horse when it eats.

Horse can live without dental care, but I can guarantee you that most horses over a year without floating will have developed sharp points again. Younger horses (especially 2-5 years olds) will be sharp again in 6 months or less due to newly erupting teeth and the fact that they are less dense, so points develop sooner than an older equine. There's a big difference in floating a barn full of 2 or 3 year olds versus a barn full of 20 somethings! Takes a lot more elbow grease if you're doing it by hand for the latter!

Another point for checking the older guys at least once a year. The upper molars (specifcally #109/209) begin cupping out, and are usually the first to fall out or need extraction. This leaves the opposing tooth without something to grind against, and can cause an imbalance. Minor imbalances become major maloclussions with time as the teeth erupt, a process that is continual throughout the horses life.

As for my 5 and 8 year olds, they are floated every 6 months, for a number of reasons. First, they are Arabs and are prone to developing hooks on the last lower molars because of their short heads and rounded jowls. Over 6 months, and I have an unhappy horse in the bridle, and I'm spending a more time reducing those hooks. I'd rather prevent the problem than wait for the clinical signs (head tossing, dropping grain) to show. And a hook (or overerupted tooth) will wear away at the opposing tooth, thus shortening it's lifespan. You can put tooth back on!

Because I keep my guys on a shorter schedule, I've never had to use my power equipement to correct anything. So the Arabs get a light sedation and the QH and Mustang can go without sedation. Again, I spend less time in their mouths because everything is routine, and I don't need to take as much tooth off (thus I'm not wearing out their teeth prematurely)! And that frees up my time to do horses for my paying clients! LOL

Just a note on exams - if you're not using a speculum and feeling those last few molars in the back of your horses mouth, you may be missing a problem. Anyone can pull the tongue out to the side and check the premolars (where the bit seats are) but problems can often be missed in the back, even by professionals who don't take the time to physically examine the whole mouth. That's where your older horses (20+ yrs) usually develop issues, but the clinical signs may not show even for years.

We're always looking for ways to make our horse more comfortable and healthier (suppliements, better farriers, proper fitting tack, warm blankets in the winter, etc) so please treat their mouths the same!:)

[LaBonnieBon]

One of my mares needs it done 2x a year.... and of course the youngsters get done 2x a year.... but the others get it done 1x a year.

I guess the answer would be like a lot of others.... as needed, but checked 2x a year.