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Thread Nine: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1584833/posts |
Posted on 10/04/2005 9:56:41 AM PDT by HairOfTheDog
Hey look at that:) and it was legit:)
Rocky has been like this since we got him at age 5. I really don't think we can take credit for making him this way, altho we can take a bit of credit for keeping hiim this way. Jenny was very good about not letting hiim get full of himself, and then we didn't breed him overmuch. All contributing factors, IMO.
Becky
He may have wolf teeth, and he may need his teeth floated.... six is a pretty common time for them to need it the first time.
I don't remember what kind of bit you're using... it is a solid or broken mouthpiece? A solid might be interfering with wolf teeth, but wouldn't that have come up last year?
Bay still has his wolf teeth ;~D
Wolf teeth usually erupt at about 2yrs old, so if he's got 'em, he's had 'em for a while. I always have them pulled before I ever break them, just as a precaution. But he may just have some points that need floating. Your vet will be able to tell you for sure.
Really?! Now you're not calling his canine teeth wolf teeth are you? Some people do, but that's not the same thing.
I don't often look in his mouth and wouldn't probably be sure, but I was told the first time I had him floated he still has his wolf teeth.
We discussed it and since he's never had trouble, they stay. I use only snaffle mouthpieces on him.
Wolf teeth, and more commonly sharp edges on the front molars causing ulceration of the cheeks will cause pain, especially when shortening of the reins or turning. Often owners note that the horse is becoming ‘harder’ on one rein than the other.
There is enormous debate about wolf teeth. Contrary to popular thoughts, these small, vestigial teeth, which are seated just in front of the upper main molars (they officially are designated, premolar 1) erupt at a very young age when the horse is just a foal. If they have never caused a problem before and your horse is ten years old, they are unlikely to be the source of the problem in the future!
For some reason I thought they didn't get wolf teeth till around 5-6. Well, just the way he was acting, I'm going to get him checked. I've also noticed and it just wasn't clicking that he turns his head sidewise when he eats. I don't know if he always does that and I just noticed or if something is going on. I usually do teeth shots and all the yearly stuff about March, but I'm not waiting that long with him this year. Just in case something is going on.
Becky
Sounds like you are right to just leave them alone.
The bit I use on him is a broken bit, but it has a port that is hinged on both sides, or, I sometimes rotate him in to a long shank snaffle, and if I'm feeling really brave:) my argentine snaffle. I try to change every so often. I've been told it keeps them sharper, paying attention better.
Becky
I bet he needs floated... I think the pony does too this year, she was developing some points last year but not too bad. She drops a lot of grain out of her mouth when she chews.
Bay gets floated every year now... the mares probably every two years while they're young.
Heh... at this point, yeah ;~D He's 24. I've always ridden him in a snaffle (kimberwick now, but also jointed) and he's fine. The endurance lady did too. Bob and my landlord rode him in a hackamore.
My friend Celia says she has NEVER had wolf teeth removed and has never had her horses teeth floated....
I've managed to cut back on how often I have to have Rockies floated (I was having to do it 3 X's a year) by adding a handful of whole corn to his feed. I give whole corn to all my horses now, and have for a long time, but it maybe I'll still have to do it occasionally. I can't remember if Harley's have ever had to be done since I had him.
Becky
Yeah, I knew that canine and wolf were two differnt teeth. I had to have the wolf teeth taken out on my mare.
Hey, but thanks for the diagram, They really have alot of teeth, don't they:)?
Becky
Interesting about the corn.
As long as he's not having trouble holding weight, and he doesn't seem to be (but I didn't say chunky), a once a year check is probably just fine :~D
I'm gonna guess Celia's gotten lucky to have had a horse with a pretty straight mouth (they do exist) and also has gotten lucky in that they haven't sored their cheeks and ended up with pain and infection. She perhaps hasn't kept one long enough or old enough to have it reach a critical stage. Or maybe she's written off behaviors as misbehavior that were really symptoms.
About the corn, my old vet that died is the one that told me to start doing that. He says it helps keep the points wore down because it's so hard. Made sense so I tried it and I've only been doing his teeth now about once a year, so I'd say it works.
Of course I don't know if I'm really saving money...but I think the horse is probablly more comfortable.
Becky
Well Mack called, and wants me to meet him intown for supper, so I'm out of here.
Have a nice evening. It's been a fun day here. Lot's of posts:)
Becky
It's a heck of a good idea if it slows the points from growing in the first place. I'll ask, for Bay's sake. There's a little whole corn in his feed mix now... (I'm now mixing 2 bags senior pellets to one bag sweet COB in the bin) is that enough you 'spose?
Hey - that's a good deal... you too, and it sure has :~D
Real quick:), I'm waiting on Susie to come in, she went out before I have to leave.
The vet told me one handful a day is plenty. I go ahead and give mine a handful at each feeding, so they get 3 handfuls each day. It doesn't seem to take alot.
Rocky still has to be done occasionally, just not so often. He told me some horses will need it more then others no matter what, some never. If you're getting by with once a year on Bay, I'd think he was fine.
Becky
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