My Percheron is short and stocky but, according to the vet, not overweight. He is elderlyish (21) and on a diet of free choice hay (in hay net) and Omegatin (non-grain, low starch, high fat), along with some supplements. He looks and acts fabulous.
When he had his teeth floated in October, the vet suggested I give him some flaked corn to help reduce tartar build up on his teeth.
Iv heard of giving corn for the teeth,personally i wouldn't do it. Corn is high starch & sugar. I won't feed corn its one of the worst grains to feed, its also hard for them to digest.
My horse have tarter on their teeth hasn't killed them yet,my mare is 29 years old still has all her teeth.:wink: All mine live on low starch, sugar diets and haven't seen any grain in over 5 years.
Hmm, I've never heard of corn for tartar control in horses, sounds interesting.
I'd be leery of it myself. I'd rather try to brush a horses teeth (I picture myself now, chasing a poor horse across a pasture, toothbrush in hand and dental floss in the other. -_-' ) Not that I'd actually try to brush their teeth, don't know that it would do much good honestly, LOL.
That's a new one! I'm no expert on teeth, but have used a few different (qualified) dentists & vets, and always ask them for tips & have heard nothing remotely of the sort. Knowing that corn is quite problematic for horses too, I wouldn't be inclined to follow this piece of advice.
My Percheron is short and stocky but, according to the vet, not overweight. He is elderlyish (21) and on a diet of free choice hay (in hay net) and Omegatin (non-grain, low starch, high fat), along with some supplements. He looks and acts fabulous.
When he had his teeth floated in October, the vet suggested I give him some flaked corn to help reduce tartar build up on his teeth.
I have never heard of corn being used, but it is very important that just like with your teeth the tartar needs to be removed. I would check with a Equine Dentist to have it done right. Best of luck. Equine Dental Service Panama Central America S.A.
Not feeding corn is where I am too. I love the smell and feel of steamed, flaked corn, but... I keep on ignoring my vet's advice, and it's making me a little nervous. She doesn't really buy the high-fat EPSM draft diet, since Ahab shows no signs of the condition, but I figure it can't hurt and, again, he looks the best he has looked since I've owned him.
You don't want it to be the corn that tips that balance from no metabolic problem to having a problem
I think if the tartar build up is so bad then having it sorted out as part of his routine dental work would be the best option
I'm struggling to see how eating corn could help
^I have heard one dentist advising someone to brush her horse's teeth regularly:shock: & can't see why it wouldn't build up on other teeth, when it does on wolfies. But.... aside from the logistics of brushing a horse's teeth, unless you have a dentist's gag,:?:lol: I figure if it was such a problem, my dentists & vets would have probably at least mentioned it in passing, during at least one of the yearly visits, when I ask what's what & quiz them on all sorts.
And then, if you were to brush their teeth it begs the question. Spearmint, or Peppermint toothpaste? (Just kidding, Just kidding.)
Although I could see some company getting the idea for oat or carrot flavored horse toothpaste. Kind of like beef flavored toothpaste for dogs.
Or perhaps some kind of 'tooth brushing' type treat like those dentabones, but for horses....I could be on to something here...maybe some kind of new marketing scheme.
I have brushed a dog and a cats teeth, it's a very odd experience the first few times, and well the cat...I came out the loser on that one. -_-'
And then, if you were to brush their teeth it begs the question. Spearmint, or Peppermint toothpaste? (Just kidding, Just kidding.)
Although I could see some company getting the idea for oat or carrot flavored horse toothpaste. Kind of like beef flavored toothpaste for dogs.
Or perhaps some kind of 'tooth brushing' type treat like those dentabones, but for horses....I could be on to something here...maybe some kind of new marketing scheme.
Kidding? What do you mean? You ARE onto something here; you could become a millionaire! What about making it some kind of popping or foaming paste: the horse eats the tasty stuff, it starts popping (I'm picturing something like Pop Rocks candy), cleans the teeth automatically, and you go bank the check! I love it.
Oh oh, that will be the next trendy treatment for horses, tooth cleaning. Oh what a money maker that will be. Just think, horse's could now have pearly whites just like the owners.
Gotta promote a battery operated toothbrush to go with the yummy toothpaste. The horse just might like it. My arab would fall asleep whenever I held the clippers to his top lip.
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