Horses’ teeth don’t wear down at night when they eat a lot of alfalfa.
Many people who have handled horses in their life have had floating teeth at one time or another. The term “floating teeth” sounds a bit strange to people unfamiliar with equine dentistry, and while it conjures up an odd image of teeth floating in mid-air, it is actually an important part of dental care for horses. When a horse’s teeth are floating, an equine veterinarian or dentist uses a specialized dental file, also called a float, to file the teeth so they are even. Floating teeth are required for most domestic horses at least every two years, and horse owners should have their animals checked regularly to ensure their teeth are healthy, even, and pain-free.
Horses that tend to eat softer feeds like alfalfa may need their teeth to float or grind.
Unlike human teeth, horse teeth grow throughout their lives. This is because, in the wild, horses eat a wide variety of forages, some of which contain abrasive substances, such as silicates, that wear down teeth. When a horse feeds normally, grinding food between its back teeth, the abrasives wear down the teeth, keeping them even and smooth. However, when a horse eats a softer diet, such as one that contains a lot of alfalfa and grains, the teeth do not wear down evenly and can form sharp, painful points. Floating teeth are needed at this point to remove sharp edges.
Floating teeth in horses refers to the use of a file to file down the teeth.
A horse with teeth that need to float tends to be very timid because the sharp teeth cut into the horse’s cheeks and cause pain. The horse may also have difficulty eating, begin to release food from its mouth, be unable to chew properly, begin to lose weight, salivate a lot, and pass unchewed food through its digestive system. In extreme cases, the horse’s mouth may begin to bleed, indicating the need for an immediate dental appointment. The floating teeth will restore the horse’s normal attitude, as well as improve its health and mental well-being.
Equine veterinarians or dentists will typically float a horse’s teeth when necessary.
A specialized floating tooth halter is used to lift the horse’s head and secure it. Many horses are also lightly sedated for the procedure. If the vet is using a traditional floating tooth file, he or she will gently file the teeth to smooth them and remove any rough stains. Some vets prefer to use power tools for floating teeth, which should be used with caution so as not to over-file. It is also important that the teeth are not too smooth, as this can also cause feeding and digestion problems.