Horses need a dental exam every 6 - 12 months. Horse’s teeth are constantly erupting, and this can cause sharp, painful points that rub on the tongue or cheek, which can cause changes in eating or behavior. “Floating” is the process of removing those sharp points from the teeth. If you’ve noticed behavioral or eating changes in your horse, it may be time for a dental evaluation.

A horse’s first dental visit should be before you put a bit in their mouth, or no later than three to four years old. The dental exam needs to be performed by a veterinarian who can legally and knowledgeably administer intravenous sedatives to your horse for the procedure.

Dental visits are like farrier work — they are part of horse maintenance and should not be considered optional. This is also a great time to get any routine blood work done (especially if your horse is on medication), sheath cleaning, vaccinations, and radiographs (x-rays) of your horse’s feet for the farrier. Contact us today to get your horse on the schedule!