Horses’ teeth act as a single grinding unit. They should be tightly grouped together and come into direct contact with the opposite teeth in the mouth. If there are any extras or missing
any, then some teeth may not have an opposing teeth to grind against. This can lead to dental overgrowths, fractures or the teeth may come out of alignment. For more information on your horse’s dental health, why not speak to a member of our team on 01923 229 300?
Sometimes, horse’s baby teeth can become stuck above the adult teeth below as they start coming though, so occasionally, these will need taking out. It’s best to start dental checks when your horse is young to get them used to the instruments and what to expect, rather than wait until there is an issue and your horse’s mouth is already sore. Give us a call to book them in for a dental exam on 01923 229 300
Just like humans, horses require regular dental checks and treatment throughout their lives. We recommend 6-12 monthly checks of your horse’s mouth, depending on their age, dental anatomy and if they have had dental issues in the past. Book your horse in for a dental check today by calling 01923 229 300
Prevention is better than cure, now is the time to start thinking about laminitis. The spring grass is starting to come through so, consider limiting grazing, soaking hay and muzzling to prevent weight gain. It is good practice to monitor your horse's weight with a weigh tape, this allows you to adjust hay/feed/grass consumption and increase exercise if a gain in weight is recorded. If you suspect even the earliest signs of laminitis, you should call us as soon as possible.
Equine asthma can be hard to recognise, is it just a cough or could it be more? If you're worried your horse may be suffering, contact us on 01923 229 300 to discuss possible treatment plans.
Once horses start getting bitten by the midges and show signs of sweet itch, they will find anything and everything to scratch against. Now is the best time to start paddock maintenance - fence off any trees or posts that the horse could use as a scratching device and cut back any overhanging branches from trees. If your horse rubs in the stable, try to cover these areas with protective material (you'd be surprised what you can do with a simple pool noodle!). Our vets are available to discuss different medical treatments, give us a call on 01923 229 300 today to see how we can help!
Don't forget, the clocks jump forward an hour tonight!
It's Good Friday! We hope you enjoy the long weekend with your equine companions!
Sweet itch might only start to affect most horses when the weather starts warming up and the midges reappear but, the key to good sweet itch management is to start preventative treatment as soon as possible. Rug up now with a good sweet itch rug and, if you feed any supplements, start introducing them to feeds now. Don't forget, various medical management tools are also available, so please speak to your vet about these as they may be able to improve your horses condition and make them more comfortable.
Was Park Equine Vets, Watford.
