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Post by angelsdream on Jul 11, 2008 15:30:33 GMT -5
Ok - got a question about wolf teeth. I've noticed several people saying they have removed the wolf teeth. Down here it is just filing them down, which I think removing would be more beneficial in the long run. Ive never seen wolf teeth removed before - what is the process and how sore are they afterwards? Sedated?
I've always had my horse's teeth filed, but it has been a while since any of mine have needed it. I believe Lakota is needing some dental work soon - so will need to look into this.
Angel
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Post by dara on Jul 11, 2008 17:27:41 GMT -5
my mustang mare had hers removed years ago, and yes she was sedated. This was done at the same time of her float. I am sure she was sore after it as they do dig the tooth and root out. I would asume that the larger the tooth the more painful, but the survive.
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Post by desperatehorsewife on Jul 11, 2008 19:32:33 GMT -5
Huh...could have sworn I'd posted a reply here! Anyway, when Sandy had his done, the vet made the same comment I've heard many other folks say that their vet/dentist has said. "My, what big wolf teeth you have!" ;D Must be a mustang thing, eh? They sedate the horse and pull them when the teeth are floated. They look like drunk slinkies when they try to walk afterwards, but they do tend to come back without any side effects. I actually rode Sandy right afterwards as we thought perhaps the drugs would help (it was my second ride.) He didn't seem to have any issue with the bit slipping into his mouth, although it wasn't like I was using it, either, as we were being led. Still, no noticeable discomfort. Here he is looking over the stall door an hour later, completely happy and wondering where dinner was!  |
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Post by MustangsInNC on Jul 11, 2008 21:14:57 GMT -5
Many people make the mistake of thinking the "canine" teeth are wolf teeth. Not true. A true wolf tooth is a tiny extra tooth that grows up against the front of the first molar. You can't see it most of the time, you have to feel for it. And it sits right where the bit can bump up against it and cause discomfort. Some horses never get them. My Little Owyhee gelding doesn't have any. But my Thoroughbred mare had to have hers removed as a 2 year old. If your horse isn't showing any signs of discomfort, I wouldn't worry about them. Many people never know what wolf teeth are and don't have a dentist work on them. If you do have them pulled, it's minor. They usually are sedated, but come out of it fast. The only post-treatment I had to do for my mare was to take a 2-liter coke bottle and make some warm salt water in it, then put it in her mouth and squeeze it once a day. Kinda flushed her mouth out and helped prevent infection.
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Post by nrly on Jul 12, 2008 0:40:47 GMT -5
as of yet Stormy has not gotten her wolf teeth, but she has lost her caps. My vet was so amazed with how hard both her and Nova (BLM Mustang) teeth's are compared to other horse's. so she did not need her teeth floated yet, but I bet she will soon.
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Post by fantasykiger on Jul 12, 2008 11:18:45 GMT -5
When I had my colt Chips gelded at 8 months my vet said lets take a look in his mouth and see if he has wolf teeth sense he is already under. Amazingly he already had two tiny wolf teeth and they were removed while he was laying there after he was gelded. Otherwise I have them removed just before I start my horses undersaddle. I have the vet come do dental work and add a bit seat. Remove wolf teeth if they are present. I have never had a horse have issue with wold teeth removal.
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Post by dara on Jul 12, 2008 20:47:29 GMT -5
What is a bit seat?  |
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Post by Michelle Clarke on Jul 13, 2008 16:50:16 GMT -5
A bit seat is where the dentist will file the front of the back teeth so the bit sits in the mouth a certain way. Personally, I do not do bit seats anymore, as it weakens the front teeth. But then again, since we leave the bits loose in the mouth (usually no wrinkles...), the bits do not come up against the teeth anyway.
We usually have the wolf teeth pulled when we geld the boys or if we leave them studs, when we start with a bit. Only some mares get wolf teeth....they are taken out for convience of bitting. I have a equine dentist that is also a vet and if the wolf teeth are not bothering them, we leave them. Charro still has his and they never bothered him when he was bitted.
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Post by angelsdream on Jul 14, 2008 9:58:21 GMT -5
Thanks guys! I was wondering what a bit seat was also. Ive never heard of that. So it looks like most of the times the wolf teeth are pulled when they are young. I have my horse's teeth checked every year when the vet comes out to do the yearly shots - my quarter horse needs his either filed or pulled soon, so guess I'll have them both done. It doesnt bother him, but when the vet checked them in April, she said he would need them done this year.
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Post by nrly on Jul 14, 2008 17:15:11 GMT -5
here everyone says get em out they are worthless, and all horse's get them, so far not Stormy, and she has her complete check up from head to toe every year, and my vet is so impressed with her and with Riddle, and he is a bog TB fan, so for these two to impress him speaks volumes on how well they are trained and this breed...
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