Page 125 - The Mini Horse Magazine 2023 No 1

How did you become a horse dentist?
I got acquainted with the work of a horse
dentistry a long time ago when I needed to treat
my horses. I still had horses as a hobby and was
dedicated to showjumping. Even then, I really
liked this job. This is a veterinary procedure,
but the person does not have to be available
all the time, even at night. After studying at
the Veterinary Secondary Vocational School, I
continued to study zootechnics at the Mendel
University, and at this time I started thinking
about what I would do after my studies. Again,
Text written by: Ing. Kateřina Kuchyňková, Photographs provided by: Fotimpisutvorim – Barbora Zobačová, MVDr. Zuzana Lepková, CZ
I became a little interested in equine dentistry
and decided to write a diploma thesis on this
topic. I contacted an acquaintance who cared for
my horses, asking if I could go with her to clients
to collect the necessary data for my diploma
thesis. And thanks to that, I got a good taste of
this job, I found out what it all entails. On the
advice of my friend, I traveled to Idaho, USA, to
the Academy of Equine Dentistry. Having spent
some time there and after returning to the Czech
Republic, I started my own practice. From the
beginning, my friends from the horse world
helped me a lot, and now I've been doing this
work for 10 years (it's my anniversary).

How often to check-adjust the horse's teeth? should be twice a year (ie once every 6 months).
A horse's teeth should be checked for the first It is the period when the entire dentition is
time at a young age. It is a good idea to do at replaced from milk to permanent, and it is
least one check-up between the ages of birth necessary to catch problems in the event of a
and 2 years. In this period, milk teeth grow, and bad replacement in time. After reaching the age
in the beginning, the replacement of teeth is also of 5 and completing the replacement of teeth, a
permanent. From 2 to 5 years old, the inspection regular check-up once a year is sufficient.

Miniature Horse Magazine • Issue 1/2023 | 125