Teeth ...

How often do you REALLY get your horses teeth done?

Around here it is quite expensive to have the vet out, sedation and floating their teeth ... let me know- I have friends who haven't done it in years and their horses look healthy and aren't loosing weight so I wanted to know what you guys think.

Thanks!

I havn't had my horses teeth checked in awhile, *hits self* but I usually have the vet check them whenever the horses get their shots, or if one of them gets hurt, etc.

I think the only time horses lose wieght from not have their teeth floated is caused by their mouths being sore, so they can't eat.. right? Lol

Edit - I also heard that sometimes getting an actual equine dentist can be cheaper. (I think that sounds so funny)

I may be way off on this but I think it depends on the horses diet. If the horse is getting "hard" food I think it helps keep the teeth ground down. I give mine 2 handfuls of corn every day just for their teeth.
We have the vet check them every year and so far we have had them done every year. Last year the vet said they really didn't need it but they were already at his office so they got a touch up anyway.

Actually *hard foods* such as grains and corn are usually the culprit of uneven wear that ends up requiring floating. Wild horses eat grass and other forage don't need floats to survive for years.

My haflinger who is now 8 has never needed a float in his life - but all he gets is hay. My paint who I give grain to in order to help maintain his weight needs a float atleast yearly.

Now all of my horses do get checked whenever my vet comes out - which is at least yearly for their spring vaccines & coggins.

Most horses need their teeth floated every 12-24 months, but they should be checked by your vet at least once a year. Senior horses often need teeth work every 6 months, so it's good to stay up on check-ups if your horse is getting up there in years.

It all depends on genetics of the horse and what the horse eats. If a horse eats rough pasture and stemmy/rough hay, then their teeth will naturally grind down better than horses fed leafy/soft hay and high grain diets.

We get our horses teeth done annually. Its really not good to go long periods of time without getting it done because you never really know whats going on that your horse isnt 'telling you'. It may be expensive but its one of those things that comes with the horse.

Mine get done each spring on Easter Sun now :)

Thanks everyone- I know what is the recommended check up period but I wanted to see what everyone really does ... I have a 5 yr old and a 3rd old ... next time the vet is out ill have him look- thanks!

Checked every spring and every fall by the vet. Done if they say they need it.

No - it's not hard feeds. Correct eating position (grazing) can help. But horses teeth grow their entire life. As they get older, they need to be checked more frequently. They can lose a tooth and the opposite tooth will continue to grow creating the possibilty of locking up the jaw.

I have Diesels teeth checked every year. So far he has had the full shebang done once in the 6 years I have had him.