Equine Dentist

[Little Wolf Ranch]

I'm looking to see if anyone knows of a good equine dentist that will service Minis here in the South Carolina area or at least comes through? I know I've seen names on here but don't remember them. My vet isn't comfortable doing a float on my smallest mare who is 31" - she has a tiny and refined head so I understand but she needs a float.

Just seeing if anyone had any good recommendations....

Also - I normally use my vet for floats and haven't had problems but do you prefer to use an equine dentist on a regular basis? Also what certification should I look for in a good equine dentist?

Thanks!

 

[Marsha Cassada]

My equine dentist does travel to other states. I do not know if she goes that far east, but perhaps you could contact her. If she does not, she may be able to recommend someone.

You could contact your state veterinary board and see if there are any board certified equine dentists, or vets who specialize in dentistry.

Personally, I will probably never go to a vet again for dental work on my horses. After using an equine dentist, there is no comparison.

This is a contact site for the one I use. She is incredible. Link removed by mod due to it breaks forum rules. Please private message.

 

[Jetiki]

I have one that comes up out of Florida I will have to see when they are coming next

 

I swear by Carl Mitz - he is fabulous!! He comes to Florida annually, but you could call him and see if he comes up your way, too. Edited by mod due to it breaks forum rules. Please private message.

 

[Kendra]

I would only be comfortable with a qualified veterinarian (an equine specialist with an interest in dentistry, as true veterinary dentists are few and far between) floating my horse's teeth. Lay dentists aren't legally allowed to sedate horses for treatment, and I've seen first hand that there are parts of the horses mouth that simply aren't accessible without sedation. In addition, there is no regulatory body in place for equine dentistry. There is a lay dentist that comes to our area that has a fanatic following, but is doing terrible things to the mouths of horses. There are absolutely some good equine dentists out there, but it's very difficult to know for sure without risking your horses's well-being.

 

[Jean_B]

I've NEVER needed a horse sedated to have it's teeth worked on...and only use certified equine dentists. The only way I would allow a veterinarian near my horses' mouths is if that vet has had the same amount of training that a certified equine dentist does. Most vet schools have just a few hours of training in floating, and that's it. There are some veterinarians who have gone the extra mile, especially those that specialize in equine medicine, to get the extra dental training, but the vast majority have not.

 

[HGFarm]

Ditto what Jean_B said!!

 

[tagalong]

I have had a TERRIBLE experience with a "certified equine dentist". You can PM me for specifics. The guy was a jerk. He was rude and arrogant. He did not even bother to check some horses' mouths - ones that always needed work - he never even lifted their lips and just announced that they were "fine". They weren't. I had to have an excellent vet who specializes in equine dentistry come in after that clown had left and do the horses the supposed "equine dentist" could not be bothered to look at. The vet also had to treat a couple that the "certified equine dentist" messed up. Quite the "certified equine dentist" - he even missed a cap. One mare had a long ugly wound/scrape on the side of her tongue thanks to the rasp of the "certified equine dentist".

In between the innuendoes and dirty jokes he shared with his assistant (local trainer), he tried to manhandle a terrified Shetland mare that I specifically requested they leave alone. She needed to be handled quietly and sedated for anything like that - but this Expert Equine Dentist and Great Horse Whisperer knew better - he seemed to think he could slap her around and wrestle her and show her who was boss. She was terrified and fought back hard against them. I had to yell and get very angry to get them to leave that mare alone.

He will NEVER set foot on this property again - I do not care how "certified" he is.

 

[FurstPlaceMiniatures]

I would only be comfortable with a qualified veterinarian (an equine specialist with an interest in dentistry, as true veterinary dentists are few and far between) floating my horse's teeth. Lay dentists aren't legally allowed to sedate horses for treatment, and I've seen first hand that there are parts of the horses mouth that simply aren't accessible without sedation. In addition, there is no regulatory body in place for equine dentistry. There is a lay dentist that comes to our area that has a fanatic following, but is doing terrible things to the mouths of horses. There are absolutely some good equine dentists out there, but it's very difficult to know for sure without risking your horses's well-being.

Agreed 1000000%. Its impossible to do as good of a job on a horse bouncing around and the risk of injury to the horse is much greater. I love my vet that drugs them, opens their mouth big and wide with a speculum, then uses a drill with a special attachment. Much more effective then the guy that took a 3 week course floundering around with hand floats.

 

[Marty]

Sounds familiar Tag........