Teeth Floating

[Relic]

Are you people referring to hand or power floats..For us a hand float is 65 and a power float is 185 plus 33 for the sedation..

 

[chandab]

Are you people referring to hand or power floats..For us a hand float is 65 and a power float is 185 plus 33 for the sedation..

My equine dentist prefers hand floats, and that's what she charges $100/head for. [she doesn't like the power floats as its just too easy for something to go wrong.]

 

[chandab]

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.

She's out of southern MT, so Nevada is probably too far south for her.

 

[maplegum]

Here in Australia I paid $175. He is a vet that now only practices equine dentistry. He has a mobile crush and sedates and uses a power float. He also gives the horses a full exam and weighs them on his scales that are part of the crush.

I'm happy to pay for good service. I trust him and he has an amazing following here.

 

[Candi]

Are you people referring to hand or power floats..For us a hand float is 65 and a power float is 185 plus 33 for the sedation..

Power - we wouldn't even *consider* a hand float...

 

[Nancy]

Reading this thread makes me sooooooo happy there is a gifted man named Carl Mitz. He comes once a year to Florida in January -- in fact he left to come to Florida this past Tuesday, and will stop at several farms here in Florida. Here, he will check the entire herd. In past years (and I hope it is still the same) he only charges for the horses he "works" on -- not the ones he checks and says nothing is needed. And his prices are awesome -- reasonable and more than fair, and he has such a way with the horses and has so much knowledge regarding the dentistry, that no one EVER has needed sedation. Even my most "flighty" horse just stands there for her annual review.

Perhaps you could get a few farms together, and entice Carl to come out your way. You'll be pleasantly surprised, and still have a bank account when you're done. And the horses will be in excellent shape, too.

~~Diane at Castle Rock.

I have to say I totally agree with Diane, Carl is outstanding, the horses trust him and stand quietly for him. He was just here a few weeks ago and looked at about 75, he worked on 22 . He will be back again later this year. I wouldn't use anyone else, he does an excellent job.

 

[Helicopter]

My vet charges $100 for a float, sedated. I had to get the vet for the old arab mare. She has to be sedated because she, well, has attitude by the truck load (that's the nicest way to put it).

As I have a stack of minis I thought I'd try the well regarded fellow who has done all the trotters in the area for ever. He had never done a mini before....or a donkey. He was so gentle, so patient and certainly seemed to know what he was doing and asked if he could bring his grandson out to meet the minis and donks. He came twice because minis were a bit hard on his back.

$20 each.

 

[Jetiki]

I would have to fully trust the person using that power tool to know what they are doing. So far I haven't found that person. If not used properly you can ruin your horse's mouth, there have been horses that have died from improperly used power tools. Different states have different rules on who can do what as far as dentistry goes. South Carolina is open season, but Georgia is vet only, Florida is vet only for sedation, I am not sure the other states rules but your dentist should know, or your vet or the department of Agriculture for your state.

Karen

 

[Windhaven]

Equine Dentist are the only way to go. They are very reasonable compared to vets and know what they are doing.

Gary Fluhr is also a good equine dentist from KY. He charges $50 a horse plus farm call.

As for power tools used for dentistry, there have been extensive studies which have proved that when used it causes the tooth to heat up through the core of the tooth down through the root, which in return kills the root and causes the tooth to decay.

 

[Candi]

I would have to fully trust the person using that power tool to know what they are doing. So far I haven't found that person. If not used properly you can ruin your horse's mouth, there have been horses that have died from improperly used power tools. Different states have different rules on who can do what as far as dentistry goes. South Carolina is open season, but Georgia is vet only, Florida is vet only for sedation, I am not sure the other states rules but your dentist should know, or your vet or the department of Agriculture for your state.

Karen

In WA state - it's only legal to be an equine dentist, chiropractor, etc- IF - you're also a veterinarian. There is a wonderful vet/chiro in the Spokane/CDA area- and several very knowledgeable vet/dentists. ALL use the power drill - we have dentals done on all our big show horses every 6 months - and bit-seats done on all horses in training. They do wonderful jobs!

 

[Candi]

Equine Dentist are the only way to go. They are very reasonable compared to vets and know what they are doing.

Gary Fluhr is also a good equine dentist from KY. He charges $50 a horse plus farm call.

As for power tools used for dentistry, there have been extensive studies which have proved that when used it causes the tooth to heat up through the core of the tooth down through the root, which in return kills the root and causes the tooth to decay.

hummm... I have to really doubt the validity of that study for multiple reasons. #1 we have WA State U Equine Teaching School here and they power float and teach power floating. #2 - if you look back in "old" medical/dental journals - they used to *think* the same thing for human dentistry when power/electrical tools were introduced.

 

[Sandee]

hummm... I have to really doubt the validity of that study for multiple reasons. #1 we have WA State U Equine Teaching School here and they power float and teach power floating. #2 - if you look back in "old" medical/dental journals - they used to *think* the same thing for human dentistry when power/electrical tools were introduced.

I don't know if there's any scientific reason but I do know that my minis did NOT like the power float. I had someone (who'll remain nameless) that came here and used a power float. My sweet little stallion tried to slide down the wall; my mare had to be restrained; and my old gelding, not once but three times, pulled away from me and tried to strike him.

I've had Carl use the hand float with no sedation on my stallion. He even pulled wolf teeth -no sedation on my mare while she stood calmly in only a halter without being restrained. He's the horse "whisperer" or something.

 

[Windhaven]

For power floats, all you have to do do is look it up in all the equine health magazines.

Good magazines to get good information on horse health are Equus and The Horse Health magazine (I think that is the title).

Most equine dentist will tell you the same thing. The only way it is safe is if it is kept cool and only used for VERY short periods at a time.

I do my research and try to keep up on all the research. I am only putting this information on hear so that it will encourage people to do more research before trying things.

What is good for some people is not good for others and everyone has a right to their own opinion and their own beliefs. But when there are facts and research done, I guess it is up to the individual if they want to believe it or not.

I for one will not put my horses health on the line if there is proven studies that it is bad for them. Sometimes less is best.

 

[Gini]

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)

Laurie

Do you know when Carl is coming out. I have 5 that need to be done. I missed getting up to you all last year but need to get them done this time around.

Thanks

Gini

 

[LindaL]

Reading this thread makes me sooooooo happy there is a gifted man named Carl Mitz. He comes once a year to Florida in January -- in fact he left to come to Florida this past Tuesday, and will stop at several farms here in Florida. Here, he will check the entire herd. In past years (and I hope it is still the same) he only charges for the horses he "works" on -- not the ones he checks and says nothing is needed. And his prices are awesome -- reasonable and more than fair, and he has such a way with the horses and has so much knowledge regarding the dentistry, that no one EVER has needed sedation. Even my most "flighty" horse just stands there for her annual review.

Perhaps you could get a few farms together, and entice Carl to come out your way. You'll be pleasantly surprised, and still have a bank account when you're done. And the horses will be in excellent shape, too.

~~Diane at Castle Rock.

Diane...what day is Carl coming out to your place? Abby just gave me his number, but I have not called yet. I really want him to come out in this trip to check my horses.

 

[Candi]

For power floats, all you have to do do is look it up in all the equine health magazines.

Good magazines to get good information on horse health are Equus and The Horse Health magazine (I think that is the title).

Most equine dentist will tell you the same thing. The only way it is safe is if it is kept cool and only used for VERY short periods at a time.

I do my research and try to keep up on all the research. I am only putting this information on hear so that it will encourage people to do more research before trying things.

What is good for some people is not good for others and everyone has a right to their own opinion and their own beliefs. But when there are facts and research done, I guess it is up to the individual if they want to believe it or not.

I for one will not put my horses health on the line if there is proven studies that it is bad for them. Sometimes less is best.

LOL - I tend to not follow magazines. Worked for HorsenRider for couple years as 'staff writer' and I can tell you that many times what they called well-researched articles were just pulled off websites.

I like facts - thus why I stated what an nationally recognized Equine Teaching Schooling - is doing and recommending. We have 3 actual Equine Dentists in this area - all are also vets - all use the power float. No, they're not at the same clinics, etc.

Do you go to a 'conventional' dentist for yourself? Have a client that owns a large dental clinic (he's a DDS) and we chatted about this topic today @ our lesson. He said that human teeth also can get very hot while being drilled, etc - and stated that he'd have a hard time seeing where that'd ruin a horse's tooth.

Yes, to each their own. We're well-educated. Informed. Professional horse people for 15+ years in the business with many 25K+ horses in our ownership and care. Not in the business of listening to folklore nor taking poor care of the horses.

 

[Candi]

Not sure what's the rule about posting links... but good info to lookup:

The Horse Doctor : Power Dentistry (International Association of Equine Dentists)

Frank Santos, DVM - "Advancements in Equine Dentistry & Equine Dentistry Procedures"

"The use of Power Equipment in Equine Dentistry " Gordon J. Baker; Martin L. Allen, DVM, MS

like anything in the horse world there are conflicting opinions. Some SWEAR bits are torture devices - yes even some professionals and veterinarians. Does it mean it's true? Some horse-folks believe that stalling or lunging a horse is BAD for them. Again, for every horse person and professional there is another opinion.

I did NOT/do not bash Manual Floating - and I always PREACH to my students, clients and show exhibitors that making generalizations and "sweeping statements" show one's ignorance and inflexibility.