Not so many years ago “floating teeth” was not much more than removing the enamel points that develop on the outside of the upper and inside of the lower dental arcades. Modern dental equilibration is the correction a number of common malocclusions and dental imbalances that were considered untreatable only a few years ago.

The dental issues important to the young horse entering training are much different from the six year old performance horse and both of these horses needs vary significantly from a broodmare or a twenty-five-year-old pleasure horse. In other words there is not a one size fits all dental procedure for every horse. The appropriate maintenance of a horse’s mouth should be tailored to its age and use.

Dental examinations should begin shortly after birth. Some babies are born with dental problems that can be corrected if caught early and treated properly. The next critical time for a dental exam is prior to the onset of training. Two-year-olds still have baby teeth that can be very sharp creating injuries to the cheek and tongue during early training. Similarly, wolf teeth will irritate the cheek making the horse’s initial experience with a bit unpleasant. 

Between 2 ½ and 5 years of age a horse will loose 24 baby teeth as permanent teeth erupt.  Delayed or slow shedding of baby teeth can be uncomfortable and cause the horse to become preoccupied with its mouth when you really want the horse’s attention to be on you the trainer.

Horses of all ages develop enamel points on the outside of their upper teeth and on the inside of their lower teeth. Points occur because horse’s teeth wear at the rate of nearly one-eighth inch per year. Horses that graze on pasture have a more natural chewing motion and tend to have smaller points than horses eating hay, grain or pellets. This constant wear or loss of tooth is similar to what happens to a piece of chalk. Over the years the horse’s teeth are in a constant state of eruption as the original four inches of reserve crown gradually is worn down. We encounter a wide variety of abnormal wear patterns that when not corrected lead to premature loss of teeth.

Performance horses that work against the bit or who have strong intermittent bit contact have unique needs with regard to their teeth. These horses should have a bit seat prepared and maintained on a regular basis. The bit seat involves creating a well rounded, smooth surface around the front and outside of the first upper cheek teeth and on the inside and front of the first lower molars. These teeth in the natural state can be very sharp resulting in ulcers and lacerations of the cheeks and tongue. 

Another unique aspect of dentistry in the performance horse involves the forward-backward movement of the jaw as the horse flexes at the pole. Stand beside your horse and elevate its nose to a near level position. Note how the upper and lower incisors are aligned. Now lower and flex the neck at the pole until the head is vertical. The lower jaw will normally move forward with respect to the upper jaw anywhere from one-eighth to one-quarter of an inch. Malocclusions limit the amount of collection the horse can comfortably achieve. The horse will either refuse to flex at the pole or open its mouth to comply with the rider’s request. This movement can be restricted by any wear pattern that tends to lock the jaw when the mouth is closed.

The incisor teeth can also present problems. Abnormal wear patterns in the molars can alter wear of the incisors. An injury to the incisors is relatively common resulting is spaces that in turn result in a long tooth opposite the missing tooth. Regardless of the cause misalignment or overgrowths of the incisor teeth can limit the normal grinding of the molars during the circular chewing motion of the horse.  You can evaluate your horse’s incisor alignment by sliding the lower jaw to one side then the other. The molar teeth should make contact and separate the incisors at a point no greater than one centimeter (about the width on one tooth) off center in either direction.

So what procedures are indicated for your horse? Well, all horses regardless of their age or use should be examined for sharp enamel points that irritate the cheek and tongue. Also any abnormal wear pattern along the biting surface of the molars and incisors should be corrected to maximize the efficiency of the chewing process and to prolong the functional lifetime of the horse’s teeth. These issues are addressed in every dental procedure. 

If your horse is a broodmare, pet, retired athlete or if your riding is simply pleasure riding on a loose rein a basic dental may be all that is needed. However, if you participate in activities that require close communication between you and your horse’s mouth, closer scrutiny of the molar teeth is indicated. A bit seat provides safe comfortable contact between the molar teeth and soft tissues of the mouth. Excessive transverse ridges or other wear patterns that would encumber the forward movement of the lower jaw are addressed so that horse can comfortably flex at the pole as it is pushed into the bit and asked to assume a vertical head set.

Many older horses can have food packed into spaces that develop between molar teeth. These spaces called diastima or diastimata (plural) can lead to periodontal pockets if the food pushes the gum tissue away from the tooth roots. Periodontal pockets are painful and can lead to infection and premature loss of teeth. An advanced dental procedure called “Diastima Burring” opens up these dental spaces to allow food to circulate through rather than pack into the space. At the same time the periodontal pockets are cleaned and packed with medication to allow healing and elimination of the painful condition.

This article is in no way an exhaustive discussion of modern equine dentistry. Each year at least one of our doctors attends a training seminar dedicated entirely to the study of equine dentistry. A so called equine dentist may in fact have specific training in equine dentistry but only a veterinarian who offers advanced dental procedures has the training in medicine, surgery, radiology, and pharmacology necessary for the comprehensive management of your horse’s oral health.

In summary, the horse’s mouth is a very dynamic and complicated food processing machine. There are a wide variety of abnormal wear patters that can develop. Your horse’s comfort and willingness to perform can be influenced by his teeth. Let your veterinarian know the type of riding you do so that together you can determine the appropriate dental procedure for your horse.

Embryo Transfer is the process of transferring a fertilized egg (Embryo) from and donor mare to a surrogate mare.

 
The most common indications for ET include mares incapable of carrying a pregnancy due to age or injury and young performance mares.

 
Because mares have a long and variable heat cycle synchronizing the donor with one recipient is not recommended.  We recommend that three recipient mares are synchronized with the donor mare.  Alternatively, we have worked with several different recipient farms that maintain herds of mares large enough to insure that one is always available and “in sych” with a donor.  We notify the farm when the donor mare comes into heat and when she ovulates. 

The embryo is collected from the donor mare by flushing the uterus seven days after ovulation.  Special fluids are infused into the uterus then drained out through a filter that captures and holds the embryo in the collection cup.  The recovered fluid is searched under a microscope to find the embryo.  Once identified the embryo is rinsed through four sterile fluid baths before it is ready for transfer.  The next step depends on where the recipient mare is located.  If the donor is on site the transfer is performed immediately.  The embryo is drawn up inot a special straw similar to one used to inseminate a mare.  The straw is passed through the cervix of the recipient mare and the embryo deposited in the uterus.  The embryo can also be placed in a semen shipping container and shipped to a recipient mare farm.  A third alternative is to vitrify (similar to freezing) the embryo and store it until a recipient mare is available.

Many things can be done to help ensure the health and early development of your newborn foal. Being present at the birth allows the owner to recognize possible problems and to get help with the process, if needed. If the foal is delivered without any complications, the owner can follow some simple steps to help give the foal an early, healthy jump on life.

Make sure the foal is breathing well- Even if the foaling went flawlessly, check the nostrils for bedding or obstruction that would compromise the foal’s ability to get air. Pull any placental membranes back off the nostril and muzzle region. Stimulating inside a nostril with apiece of hay or vigorously rubbing the chest will encourage better breathing. Listen for “gurgling” sounds that might indicate aspiration of fetal fluids, a problem that may need to be addressed by a veterinarian.

Remove the placenta- If the placenta is passed at the time of foaling or within 5-10 minutes, remove it from the foaling area and save it in a bucket or plastic garbage bag to be examined later by a veterinarian. If it is not passed, tie the exposed membranes in a “knot” that hangs to about the level of the hocks (can use baling twine, shoelaces, cloth strips, etc.). The placenta should pass within four (4) hours, if not, call the veterinarian.

Clean the mare- One of the biggest sources of foal contamination and eventual sickness is from the bacteria that come from the mare’s own hindquarter area. Before the foal gets up to nurse, clean the area around the mare’s anus, vulva and mammary glands with water and a mild soap. Use plenty of volume. This also gets the mare used to stimulation in the area before the foal gets “banging” around to nurse.

Dip the navel- Use either a non-burning iodine or chlorhexidine solution on the umbilical stump. This solution can be obtained from our office. Use a shot glass or 6cc syringe case to fully douse the proper area. Avoid splashing over a large area, as this could cause skin irritation. This can be done 2-3 times in the first couple of days. This may be easier to do when the foal is standing.

Clean the foaling area- Remove bedding and hay “soiled” with fetal fluids and blood as soon as possible after foaling. This is a prime source of contamination to the newborn. You may need to gently move the foal to a slightly different area of the stall, or to the front of the mare, to clean effectively. Add clean, fresh bedding to the area.

Feed some colostrum- Depending on your expertise and comfort level, you may “milk out” 2-4 ounces (60-120cc) of colostrum from the mare’s mammary gland and feed it orally to the foal before he/she has risen for the first time. This has been determined to aid their desire to nurse, provide some early nutrients and stimulate some important intestinal functions. The mare gets used to mammary stimulation and “milk letdown”.

Stand and nurse- Most healthy foals will be active enough to stand within one (1) hour after being born. They will usually find the mammary gland and suckle within two-three (2-3) hours. They should get stronger and more stable over time. If they weaken, veterinary assistance should be sought and stomach tube feeding may be necessary.

Imprinting- If you elect to “imprint your foal” for the benefit of future handling, this is the time. There are numerous references (videos, tapes, articles) available on the technique from Dr. R M Miller. If you prefer the mare to “imprint” the foal, this is a good time to stand back and just observe the miracle before you.

Pass meconium and urinate- The “first” dark feces (meconium) are usually passed around the time of suckling. Foals may strain fairly hard to pass these firm fecal pellets initially. Continued straining and obvious discomfort may be reason for concern. Enemas may be warranted but care should be taken due to the fragile nature of the foal’s rectal tissues. Foals will generally urinate within 4-8 hrs of birth. It is nice to witness this to be assured that things are working properly. If a foal, especially a colt, starts acting dull and the belly looks “swelled” at 24-36 hrs of age, with no confirmation of passing urine, veterinary assistance should be sought.

Veterinary Post-Foaling Examination- In the case of an “apparent” normal foaling, this should be done 12-24 hours post foaling. This involves an exam of the mare for any complications related to the foaling, milk production and an early assessment of her capability for rebreeding, if desired. The saved placenta will be examined for problems. A plan for nutrition, treatment or rebreeding can be developed with the veterinarian. The newborn foal is examined for physical health and any conformational concerns which may potentially impact future development or use as an athlete. Vitamin/Mineral injections and/or an enema may be suggested in certain conditions. A blood sample can be taken to determine if the foal has received and absorbed adequate maternal IgG antibodies (from the colostrum) that are an essential element of protection from infections during the first three months of life. If the level of IgG is deemed inadequate, appropriate treatment can be started. A CBC/Fibrinogen blood sample can help determine if the foal is at risk from a latent (hidden) low grade infection that may have been present during gestation. Depending on the vaccination and deworming status of the mare, a specific program may need to be planned for the newborn foal.

Mares have been successfully giving birth to healthy foals for millions of years. In most cases, very few complications develop. Following these guidelines during a normal birth will help to minimize and recognize potential health concerns later in development.

Are Your Current Vaccinations Enough?

Although the question seems simple enough, there isn’t one answer for all horses.  The answer depends on your horse’s

• age
• likelihood of exposure to disease
• duration of protective immunity from disease or vaccination
• your risk comfort level

We have produced general vaccination guidelines that can be viewed and/or downloaded <link>  from our website if you are looking for the simple answer.  If you are interested in an explanation of what these recommendations “depend” on, keep reading!

Age:  Young horses have lower levels of immunity than older animals because their immune system is naïve. Over time, as they are exposed either by vaccination or by experiencing disease, they become more immune to infections. Like all domestic animals, horses are born with NO immunity. They receive passive immunity from their dams by absorbing antibodies contained in colostrum. For this reason, we recommend boosting the immunity of the pregnant mare 6-8 weeks before foaling. Babies that have adequate transfer of antibodies from a vaccinated mare do not need to start their primary vaccination series until they are 8-10 months of age. If the dam was not vaccinated before foaling, these shots should start at as early as 3 months of age.

Likelihood of Exposure:  Infectious diseases are caused by microorganisms that replicate in the horse’s body to produce disease. Communicable diseases are infectious diseases that spread from one horse to another.  All of the diseases that we vaccinate for are infectious, but not all are communicable.  Examples of  infectious diseases that are not transferred from horse to horse (communicable) are Tetanus, Encephalomyelitis (Sleeping Sickness) and West Nile.  All horses should be immunized against these diseases.

The most common communicable diseases of horses are Influenza, Equine Herpes (Rhino), and Strangles.  Horses boarded in public stables, that recreate with other horses, and especially those that show, travel, or are in contact with horses that do travel extensively are at greatest risk. If you compete with your horses then consideration should be given to vaccinating for Influenza and Herpes.  Boarding in a public stable also places your horse at risk of contracting a communicable disease.

The risk of exposure to some diseases is seasonal, since Encephalomyelitis and West Nile are carried from birds to horses and humans by mosquitoes.  The species of mosquito most prevalent in early spring and summer is not very efficient in transferring the diseases, but another species that comes on late in the summer is.  These diseases occur from July until we have a killing frost, usually around the first of October. We obviously want to have the highest level of protection to coincide with the period of greatest exposure, therefore we recommend West Nile booster shots between early April and mid-June.

Equine Herpes Virus or Rhinopneumonitis has several strains which produce different diseases.  Equine Herpes Virus 1 (EHV1) causes abortion in mares, coital exanthema and neurologic herpes. EHV4 is primarily a respiratory disease in horses less than three years of age.  Many, if not most, horses carry one or more strains of the herpes virus, which they may shed when under stress. The unborn foal is the most susceptible, so that is why we recommend vaccinating the mare several times during her pregnancy.  At this time, there is no vaccine that is able to claim protection against the neurologic form of herpes.

Duration of Protection: The chart below illustrates the seasonal risk, duration of protection from vaccination, and our recommendation for vaccinating against the major diseases of the horse in our area.

Your Risk Comfort Level: These are general recommendations. There are other diseases for which we may recommend vaccinating under special circumstances. Our doctors and staff will be happy to discuss your horse’s needs to help you decide what vaccinations are appropriate for your situation and your level of comfort with your horse's risk factors.