If floating teeth creates waves, is it really necessary?

Question

I have heard that when horses get their teeth floated, it creates waves in their molars after awhile. If this is true, then is flaoting teeth really necessary? How can I know when I should have my 4 year old's teeth floated or if i even need it?

Answer 1

Floating should be done twice a year or AT LEAST once a year for all horses over the age of two. Once a horse comes into their twenties, some veterinarians or equine dentists will stop floating the molars so as not to risk loosening them in the gums which may lead to abscesses. Even still they should be checked yearly to look for any problems.



A good veterinarian or equine dentist will completely level the molars and remove edges with each floating. It is when the teeth are neglected that waves can begin to develop. Without floating, your horse suffers from inflammation and even scrapes on the inside of her cheeks from the sharp points of her molars. If you can't see or feel the points, they can be smaller in the front and more severe in the back. Also, the uneven teeth will cause poor chewing which debilitates digestion and wastes feed.



As a two year-old, your horse's first pre-molars grew in and should have been removed once they were large enough sometime in their late two-year-old year. If these teeth are not removed they become irritating once your horse begins training. As a four-year-old, if they haven't been removed already, they should certainly be big enough now.

Answer 2

Because a horse chews from side to side, not up and down like humans, they grind their food. With grinding comes uneven wear. this can cause sharp areas, high or low points, or sometimes colts don't lose their caps and need a little dental work. The Vet will use a file to take care of those pesky ridges that are cutting tongues, cheeks, or causing pain when chewing. Older horses have a pincher bite as they age, so they dribble food and need more frequent attention. If you can afford it, twice a year would be a good rule of thumb for dental attention, or more frequently if you notice a problem.

Answer 3

A 4 y/o is likely just losing his or her caps, and doesn't need to have them floated, but you can check by looking in their mouth for some loose teeth.



I am pretty confident in my ability, and I will halter the horse, reach in hold their tongue out to one side and CAREFULLY reach my other hand back and check for sharp edges on their molars. Be careful because if the horse bites down it can smash/cut your fingers, but either you or your vet has to do this to decide if they need floating. That is the reason you float the teeth, not because of the waves, but because the sharp edges can cut the gums on either top or bottom of their mouth.

Chris



Add-thumbs down....hmmm I wonder who that was. Midnight? and every 6 months? Are you serious? My wife is a vet and she wouldn't recommend that often, it is just spending money to spend it. Once a year is more than enough.



I will add though that having the vet out to check for wolf teeth and if you need them to be floated at 4 years old isn't a bad idea at all.

Answer 4

A visit from the dentist every 6 months is needed.



Floating teeth doesn't create waves.