Horse Dentist??

We have a wonderful dentist over here who is a dream with all horses. He really had a special relationship with them. My horse is very jumpy with strange men and is the perfect model with this man. He just stands there with the lead rope dangling while his teeth are being filed. Even with that metal gag thing in his mouth. When I first saw the dentist take it out I thought Oh my he is just not going to get anywhere with that contraption. But he just stood there. The problem is that this dentist is really busy and can't cope with the amount of customers that demand him and It's very hard to get hold of him. My vet just doesn't have what this other man has I am not sure about how good the vets are at filing teeth anyway??? Is it possible for me to buy a file and do it myself? I know the principles and have often heard of people in charge of yards doing the horses teeth themselves. What does anyone think??

Horse Dentist??
It's very hard work Susan....besides if something goes wrong, they have the mediation and tools to fix it. It's better to leave it up to the experts. Thats what they are trained for. I'm sure you have the theorum down but still need furthur training. I know how to remove my appendix...but I'd rather leave it up to the pros.
Reply:neeeeehhhhh
Reply:I would find another vet, maybe the horse needs cocaine first!
Reply:No no no! It's very difficult to learn how to do teeth or farrier work. You have to go to school or take a class and learn how to properly. If you don't do it right, you can damage your horse. I'm sure the vet knows how to do it better than you do, so let him/her do their job. Dentists/vets not only file teeth, but look for ulcers, ect. It's a complex job. If your current dentist is hard to reach, you may get a vet to do it. If the vet can't get your horse to stand quietly, he may want to drug the horse. Theres no problem with that, many horses need to be drugged for getting their teeth done.
Reply:dont do it yourself without proper training. good horse dentists are like gold dust - like farriers in my area actually!!! but because dentistry equipment is readily available i have heard several stories of frauds setting up as dentists that have no training - whilst i do not think to accuse you of fraud, without training and all the knowledge i dont think you should attempt doing the teeth yourself!!! most vets have basic skills in filing teeth but they are that - basic skills. to keep sharp edges in check etc, i think it is ok to use the vet - if possible get the dentist once a year and the vet once a year. beween them they should be ok, i would have thought. our dentist only comes once a year as well and is very busy but great with the horses.... what's yours called?!
Reply:As we horse owners gain knowledge, we learn what's good an bad to do with our horses - your guy being too busy proves that he's good.





Is there any way at all to set an appt way in advance and stay with him? If so, that's the best thing to do.





Second item - try another one. You want a horse specialized person - I have learned that horse-specific vets fit my needs better, not ones that do horses along with all the other animals.





Some vets have gone to great lengths to be very good horse dentists, so I can't say a vet isn't good, but a vet does have a vast amount of knowledge he must keep besides just dentistry.





How about looking around your area for a horse dentist in specific?





How about asking your good guy for a referral?





What you're experiencing that's so good is his interaction or communication ability with horses - he knows how to act around them to make them comfortable. Guys have a certain way around horses and Girls have a certain way. You say your horse is a bit jumpy around guys, but I suspect it's not the fact the person is a guy, but the type of person he is.





The big thing holding the horses' mouth open is a speculum and it doesn't hurt, just protects his mouth and teeth.





Keep looking and if you don't like someone at your place working with your horse - at any time you have the right to tell that person you don't want them to work with your horse. If a person is mean or hits your horse and tries to dominate it rather than work with it, you have the right to calmly tell that person this isn't how you expect you or your animal to be treated and you'll find someone else.





I have to make appts with my dentist 6 months in advance and stick to that appt to keep him coming. He's the best guy in the state.





Good luck!
Reply:I wouldn't, but I hold my hands up to knowing nothing about filing horses teeth? just wanted to say good luck..xxxx
Reply:you really need an equine dentist. please don't try this your self. it may look easy but hey I bet if you watched a heart surgeon he would make his job look easy , so try to wait on him or find another.
Reply:no because its very easy to rasp off too much.... then they cant eat properly... why chance it... just book him a month before you want him...
Reply:no hun I wouldnt ever risk filing the teeth myself - regardless of how much I knew as in principle there is a reason why these people study vetinary care etc in college for many years!


What can look simple enough, could cause horrific after effects such as nerve damage or even sore and silly injuries like cracked teeth.


I realise that you do have your horses best interests at heart - but if the case of you having to book your dentist 6 months in advance of before you need him - Id do so


xx
Reply:If you are worried that your vet might not be up to the task, I am amazed that you would even consider doing it yourself!





It's a very specialised job and needs someone who really knows what they are doing. Can you recognise a hook or a ramp and even then would you know which tool to use? A full set of rasps would set you back around £2000.





If you have a good dentist stick with him. After all most horses need to be seen only once a year at most. Otherwise, look for a BEVA registered dental technician in your area or see whether your veterinary practice has a vet with specialised dental training. Many vets offer this service these days.





I know the problem with a horse and strange men. My own is exactly the same, so I always try to use the same people for everything and make as few changes as possible. Teeth are my worst nightmare so if I were lucky enough to have someone who could get the job done I stick with them.
Reply:My daughter is training to become an equine dentist, I have seen the amount of study and research, she does not to mention 'hands on' experience. I think it is best left to the proffessionals, one slip could cause your horse problems!





How would you administer sedatives for your horse anyhow?


She has looked into our ponies mouths but not attempted any work as yet.