Teeth Floating

[O So]

When O So was gelded his vet told me that he is due to have his teeth done. He said it could wait a few months but to keep it in mind and make an appointment when I can. So today a couple months after the gelding, I made the appt. for the 31 of Jan. I was shocked to learn that it is going to cost $225. bucks to do it!

That is more then having him gelded. I didn't think it would cost that much, but it needs to be done so we have the appt. Luckily they had a coupon in their last newsletter that gives me free in home service for the month of February, that they are going to honor since my appt. is only 1 day before February.

So that will save me the travel fee at least.

I plan on asking him about his wolf teeth and all. I also plan on asking how he thinks my bit fits O So. It will be nice to know his teeth will not be a factor in his bit training.

Oh, and I guess the vet is going to get his revenge on O So! LOL When O So was recovering from his gelding procedure ( at the vet office), his vet said that O So kept trying to nip at him!

I guess he will get to nip back now!

 

[chandab]

Holy cow, that's sound high to me, but every region has its own pricing on services. I use an equine dentist, and for basic float its about $100, but as I have 11 head (13 including the two saddle horses) and usually half need some work, it makes for an expensive day.

 

[O So]

Holy cow, that's sound high to me, but every region has its own pricing on services. I use an equine dentist, and for basic float its about $100, but as I have 11 head (13 including the two saddle horses) and usually half need some work, it makes for an expensive day.

Yah, I think it sounds high too! I have to admit that I did not shop around. I really liked this vet when I met him before O So's gelding, so I just went with him. He came to my house free of charge to "cop a feel" to see if O So was eligible for a "normal" gelding. I know that isn't saying much, but what thrilled me about him is, on that free visit he stuck around and answered a ton of questions I had for him. He was not in a hurry to leave, like the first vet I had come look at O So for just a first vet visit. So he impressed me and I decided that he was the guy for me and O So.

Maybe next time I will have to research equine dentists. I don't know how often I need to have his teeth done, but if it is fairly often, I may be wise to find a cheaper person! LOL Although, then you have the "you get what you pay for" issue too!

 

[chandab]

Maybe next time I will have to research equine dentists. I don't know how often I need to have his teeth done, but if it is fairly often, I may be wise to find a cheaper person! LOL Although, then you have the "you get what you pay for" issue too!

If all is normal, usually once a year is sufficient, some go twice a year. [My equine dentist is from out of area, and travels, so once a year is what she can do.] If you have issues, then they might need more frequent visits. My dentist checks everyone every year, but they don't always need work; usually the ones getting new teeth in and the oldies losing teeth are the ones that need more frequent work, we've skipped years with the middle age horses with all their teeth in place. [With 13 head, usually there are enough each visit that need work to make it worth the trip for her. I always have a minimum of two: I have a mini mare with a damaged incisor, the opposing tooth needs work every year; and a stallion that didn't have much dental work before coming here, so needs floating every year (so far he has anyway); and youngsters getting teeth in means they need to be checked.]

 

[Marsha Cassada]

Good for you, having that done!! He is a lucky horse to belong to you.

You just have to trust the professional. Does the vet sedate? I always thought the horse had to be, but the dentist I take mine to now does not. He did a light sedative for wolf teeth extraction, but otherwise he just does the work without. I MUCH prefer non-sedation!

 

[O So]

Good for you, having that done!! He is a lucky horse to belong to you.

You just have to trust the professional. Does the vet sedate? I always thought the horse had to be, but the dentist I take mine to now does not. He did a light sedative for wolf teeth extraction, but otherwise he just does the work without. I MUCH prefer non-sedation!

I don't know how he does it. This is my first dental work for O So. I will update when I find out though.

 

[gatorbait4sure]

HOLY COW!!!! You MUST live in New England!

Carl Mitz comes here from TEXAS and he charges $50.00 per horse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

dru

 

[sfmini]

Carl's charge (at least used to) be only for horses he actually works on. We are in Ohio and try to have him as well, but lately I haven't gotten a call that he was in the area until the night before and that is too late to have finances in order and time off work.

We do have him work on whatever horses we take to Worlds.

 

[muffntuf]

It was about $200 to have one pony done. That was a vet doing it. I think it is outrageous.

 

[Ashley]

When I had my big guy done it ran me about $200, thats was with trip charge and sedation. I am happy with my vet and was thrilled with how they worked. I got to watch the whole thing, look in his mouth and got very good explanation of what was going on. My vet is a horse only vet. I used them very seldom, but am very happy with her work.

 

[hobbyhorse23]

HOLY COW!!!! You MUST live in New England!

The west coast is just as bad. California where O So lives is $$$$! So is the Seattle area. I spent almost $400 last year getting shots and teeth done on two minis. And the vet only charged me a partial float on one of them since he didn't need much work!

It's $75 just for them to step foot on the property, then a $60 oral exam fee, then more for the sedation drugs, then more for the actual floating, then $18 for administering each sedation shot...it's ridiculous! Unfortunately they are also the best vets in the area for minis with all the specialized mini dental tools, etc., so that's who I go with.

I am, however, driving two hours south to a far less urban area to have my colt gelded in a few weeks. Even with about $100 in gas added in, I'm still saving about $450!

There is no way I'm coughing up $700 for a routine gelding on a completely dropped two year old colt.

Leia

 

[Sandee]

I have to add that I like the work Carl does so well that I'd drive 4 -6 hours to get him to work on my horses. I always have him look at them at Nationals. Oh, did I mention that even with gas he'd still be cheaper than the vet AND do a better job!

 

[Poodlepill]

I had my B size mini done last month by a Vet that is also an equine dentist specialist. He lightly sedated but it took 3 shots to get him relaxed enough (the mini got worked up) anyway, I took him to the clinic about 20 minutes away and it was $100

 

[Mickey & Mouse]

I had my big horses done in November and it was about $175.00/horse including travel, weekend visit, sedation. My vet specializes in floats. I am guessing that he will charge the same for the mini's. Mickey has a really bad overbite

and the vet said that in April/May, he wants to see Mickey because of his overbite and then every six months for the next few years.

You can see his overbite in the picture below.

 

[disneyhorse]

I'm in southern California, and I pay $340 when all is said and done for my vet to come out and float teeth. He does a good job, but it is pretty expensive to do every year!

Andrea

 

[rubyviewminis]

I just yesteday priced floats at the vet. $175 for a basic float there, anything that deviates from the basic is extra. If I try to get any of the vets to come here which is not out of the way as most of them live within 5 miles of me, its a LOT more. Geez, I can't keep doing that! I have 5 horses that need to be looked at and probably floated.

I was going to ask Chandab for the information on her equne dentist, but I don't know if I would be in an area they travel to. Would sure love to find one.

 

[lil hoofbeats]

When O So was gelded his vet told me that he is due to have his teeth done. He said it could wait a few months but to keep it in mind and make an appointment when I can. So today a couple months after the gelding, I made the appt. for the 31 of Jan. I was shocked to learn that it is going to cost $225. bucks to do it!

That is more then having him gelded. I didn't think it would cost that much, but it needs to be done so we have the appt. Luckily they had a coupon in their last newsletter that gives me free in home service for the month of February, that they are going to honor since my appt. is only 1 day before February.

So that will save me the travel fee at least.

I plan on asking him about his wolf teeth and all. I also plan on asking how he thinks my bit fits O So. It will be nice to know his teeth will not be a factor in his bit training.

Oh, and I guess the vet is going to get his revenge on O So! LOL When O So was recovering from his gelding procedure ( at the vet office), his vet said that O So kept trying to nip at him!

I guess he will get to nip back now!

Sad part is that most vets are shockingly unqualified to do the job, most dont even know the different types of floats, i would ask him before i gave him my money!!!

 

[HGFarm]

I agree with Lil Hoofbeats..... many vets are not that qualified or knowledgable, especially with the Minis. We are lucky to have Carl out once a year and he checks them all and it is actually affordable to have him look at the entire herd. (Not all need work so it's just an occasional horse)

 

[Marsha Cassada]

I drive 3 hours one way to the vet that does my horse's teeth. My local vets will do it, but they don't have the correct tools and feel compelled to sedate. The vet I go to has several miniature horse clients whose care of their horses gave me confidence to drive the miles.

I am very happy with the dental care mine are getting now; another trek is due next month. He charges $50 per horse. Even with a tank of gas it's a bargain.

 

[Candi]

In the E WA and N ID area there's a great vet that also owns/shows minis - and she charges $58 for floats. Now plus trip charge - but being a show stable - we can get 4-5 folks together - get all the horses done at once - makes the total around $68 for each horse. Sedation and all.

This is the same for a 17H Dutch Warmblood or a 33" mini. GREAT prices! Great work!