Page 127 - The Mini Horse Magazine 2023 No 1

Nowadays, we keep horses in box stables in It is clear that a horse in the wild does not
most cases. In their natural environment, i.e. the grind its teeth as well as dental technicians or
wild, the horse spent most of its time eating. veterinarians do with the help of rasps, grinders,
Because he chewed often, he ground his teeth etc. But we must realize that with this care we
on his own. This spontaneous grinding of the extend the horses' lives. E.g. a horse with bad
teeth was caused by the rubbing of the occlusal teeth would die very early in nature, and thanks
surfaces of the upper and lower teeth against to my treatment, it will eat and live to a great
each other. I feed the horses mainly only 3 times age. Also, no work and sports performance was
a day, they move in the pasture for a short time, required of them. When working with horses,
or some horses not at all and that is not enough we often use halters, bridles, bits and other
to sharpen them sufficiently. Another factor is things that were previously not natural for
the characteristics of the food. Today, we serve horses. If we close the nosepiece at the bridle
them high-quality hay, granules, muesli and and press the cheeks against the sharp edges
other feed, often poured or boiled with water. of the teeth, we must not be surprised that the
In nature, their food also included harder plants, horse is unwilling to work because it causes him
small twigs, bushes, etc. and this also helped pain.
them grind their teeth.
As I have often mentioned in the question
above. For owners of sport horses, I strongly
emphasize the regular annual inspection. When
they want athletic performance after the horse,
so that they are satisfied. For hobby horses that
are on pasture all day with good dental health
due to genetics, the interval can be extended to
2 years, but that is the maximum.

What dental tools do you use?
A very important piece of equipment for a
dentist is a speculum (fungus dilator), without it
it is difficult to look into the fungus and not grind
all the teeth thoroughly.

For grinding, I use grinders powered by an
electric motor. I start it with a pedal, like a
sewing machine. Thanks to this, I can control the
rotation speed of the grinders beautifully. This
is an advantage for frightened horses, because
I start the engine more slowly, for a shorter
period of time, and the horse gets better used
to the sound and light rattling. At the same
time, if the horse is angry and uncooperative, I
immediately stop the grinder and the horse will
not be injured.

The grinders are equipped with diamond discs,
they are hard enough to grind the enamel, but
at the same time specially shaped so as not to
injure the gums and cheeks. Each grinder has a
different shape, length, depending on what it is
intended for.

Miniature Horse Magazine • Issue 1/2023 | 127