Yesterday was dentist day. But first, a little story.My Wordless Wednesday post, as Fern Valley guessed, showed Coyote Belle- back home. I went to visit her the other day, and she wasn't doing well as the newcomer in a large band of broodmares. The folks who bought her kindly allowed me to buy her back- I'm such a softy, I raised this horse, and this is the second time I've bought her back; the first time was when she was a weanling and I had her sold; the day before she was to go to her new home she got kicked in the shoulder by a big gelding, and couldn't bear weight on her right front for two days. The lady took her home on the understanding that if she didn't come sound, I'd buy her back- which I did, as Belle has permanent damage in her shoulder so that she doesn't travel correctly with that leg; she kinda rolls from the knee and lands the foot from the outside edge to the inside; she can't extend her leg straight forward due to the damage in her shoulder. So this is why she is in my broodmare band; it's not a genetic defect, and she makes nice babies- her first was Sparkle. She is heavy in foal to Beamer for her second baby, due mid April. Anyway, I brought her home the day before the equine dentist got here. We did her first, and it was interesting to see how her teeth were, and it is the most likely cause of her weight loss; basically her jaw was locked up due to wedges and hooks that wouldn't allow her to move her jaw side to side as horses do when they are chewing/grinding their feed before swallowing; she wasn't getting enough hay in her belly because she couldn't chew properly. This is what it looked like inside her mouth.
The wedge can be seen on the last brightly lit tooth- see that point that comes straight down? That is the biggest reason for her problem, as well as the hooks and sharp edges.
Just as a side note, remember that even a horse that is getting plenty of feed can lose weight dramatically if it can't chew.
All the youngsters got their wolf teeth pulled, as well as floating and balancing . This video is of Chickory getting her wolf teeth pulled.
This next video shows Velvet when he was using the power float.
After the teeth were done we branded each one while they were still sedated.
Beamer is modelling his new brand for you.
9 comments:
Hopefully Coyote Belle bounces back nicely now . Poor dooly. She must just be meant to be your girl
Poor girl being bounced around a few times. Must be destiny that she should be your horse.
Nice brand. I take it they did freeze branding.
I really need to have a dentist do teeth rather than the vet. I think Beamer is one gorgeous horse! You do good. I will have to keep you in mind if and when I am looking for a new horse!
Sydney, we hot branded. A freeze brand actually doesn't turn white for at least a couple of weeks. I don't usually freeze brand because you have to leave the iron on the skin for at least 30 seconds, whereas with a hot brand its only a couple of seconds. We have a two iron brand, so hot branding is quick and easy and when the horse is sedated, they don't feel much.This brand will peel in a couple of days and when it's all healed up will not be so noticeable. I'll do a photo later on.
Cool, I always thought I ashould brand my ponies, but never thought of doing after they had there teeth done and were sedated. Thanks for the good idea.
Stormy (19) is getting his teeth done this spring by a equine dentist from the Northwest that makes her yearly rounds. he hasn't had them done in... 4-5 years at least! He occasionally spits out wads of unchewed hay, and a shoer pointed out undigested pieces of hay in his poop, which I never would have thought of to look at. I know, bad me for being so long in between, but haven't really had a good opportunity, and I'd rather have a real dentist do it than a vet.
- The Equestrian Vagabond
Merri, my dentist says those wads of hay are because the back molars are not coming in contact with each other, so they can't grind their food properly. They have to build up a wad of hay back there to fill the space and then try to break it down, which doesn't work very well. This usually happens because the front teeth are too long and prevent the back teeth from contacting each other. This requires the dentist to shorten the front teeth, something vets don't do on a routine float, and only a trained dentist should do. It usually happens on the older horses. It's a more costly procedure than a routine float and balance but worth it for the sake of the horse.
Cool videos! The wolf tooth popping out was pretty dramatic. Are fillies and colts both born with them, and what are their purpose?
I wish I would have thought to take video of my mare having her dental work done last year. I did at least take photos, though. lol! What these equine healthcare folks must think. lol! I bet some, like your equine dentist, probably like that their clients show an interest, and like to educate them along the way.
Pretty looking brand. Does Beamer's handsome hip have your brand, too?
Give Beamer a smooch for me, please?
~Lisa
I like your brand. It's something we've been wanting to do for some time now. Great post Shirley~~
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