Julie Ellis EDT

• Performance routine full mouth examination, realignment and balance
• Bit seat addition
• Deciduous cap removal
• All welcome will travel
• 10% group discount ( 4 horses or more)

• Dental Malocclusions
• Rostral or Caudal Hooks are very common in the horse today.
• Excessive Transverse Ridges
• Waves, Ramps and Steps
• Parrot mouths
• Irregular cheek teeth angles – shear mouth
• Over grown incisors

2) Some outward signs of possible dental problems

• Quidding - dropping large balls of unchewed food
• Head tossing
• Loss of appetite
• Unusual characteristics when riding ie rearing, leaning on the bit, preferring a particular rein
• Weight loss
• Bolting food

3) The Equipment - Julie carries around with her a large amount of equipment to deal with all sorts of problems that she may come across

• Full mouth Speculum - essential for a complete examination
• Mini full mouth speculum
• A range of floats for different areas of the mouth all with solid carbide blades and one with a chip blade and spare blades
• A halter which has a large noseband that allows the horse to open its mouth wide
• 2 S - type floats
• Dosing Syringe
• Antibacterial agent in the water
• Deciduous cap extractors
• Strong head torch
• Dental charts
• Spit bucket

4) The Examination

A full and thorough examination is essential to ensure that the best procedures are undertaken for the good of the horse.

A full history of the horse is obtained. This would include the age of the horse, the diet of the horse, the job the horse is used for and previous known riding history. Any previous dental problems and the condition of the horse are all assessed and taken into account. A dental chart is also used.

An examination of the horse when first presented to Julie would involve assessment of the external head of the horse by sight and palpation.

Examination of the Incisors would then be carried out and an assessment of the grind of the horses molars and palpation of the bars of the mouth to check for bone spurs, anything abnormal and any wolf teeth. The Lateral Excursion to Incisor Separation is assessed and any signs of parrot mouth etc. All the time checking the horses reaction for any discomfort.

The Speculum is then fitted and the premolars and molars can then be examined. This is done by feel and the use of the torch.

Once this examination has been carried out the technician can decide on the best way to treat the horse. The horse is given a mouth wash first. A floating procedure is the most common needed. Floating is performed mainly to remove the sharp enamel points from the buccal edges of the upper cheek teeth (maxillary arcades) and the lingual edge of the lower cheek teeth (mandibular arcades). However it can involve more than this as other malocclusions can occur such as hooks, ramps and incorrect angle of the cheek teeth and again more advanced problems. A bit seat is added after all this. The horse is rebalanced and realigned.

Throughout this process the speculum is put in place for Julie to check her work and discuss with the owner about the best course of treatment and number of visits needed. Canines are the last to be dealt with if in need of reducing or removing tartar build up.

The horse is given another mouthwash and the dental chart is completed