Horse Camp Equine Dentist

Another adventurous session of adult summer horse camp at Meadowbrook Stables. Today the equine dentist came to visit and gave a really interesting lecture/demonstration.
If you think that it's weird to have a horse dentist, think again. Unlike our human teeth a horse's teeth are continuously growing (up until they are in the 20's). Depending on their diet and how they are wearing their teeth down, they may need a little help balancing their mouths.

Besides getting to feel inside a horse's mouth, which was really cool, I learned a lot of interesting things. Some horses may need their teeth brushed. I asked the question about this and the answer wasn't surprising, as I know from experience that some cats and dogs need to have their teeth brushed. Why not horses! My cat's very good during brushings. She likes the poultry flavored toothpaste. I call it Kiki maintenance (Kiki is my cat's name). Believe me, I wouldn't do it if it wasn't necessary, but Kiki is a rescue and she had some major dental issues when we got her.

Horses can get TMJ and a display a myriad of other health and behavioral issues from poor teeth. There is also some equine dentist out there who does implants, bridges and other work for horses that some may consider cosmetic. Hey, who says horse's shouldn't be proud of their smiles.

Darley Newman is the host of the Emmy Award-winning Public Television series Equitrekking®, which takes viewers on horseback riding vacations around the world. Equitrekking is broadcast on PBS stations and on international networks in over 30 countries.

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