G.W.Equine Dental Services

09/01/2025

As temperatures across the UK drop below freezing this week, we kindly ask that if you’re expecting your EDT, please provide a constant supply of hot water.

In these sub-zero conditions, dental equipment can freeze, making it impossible for your EDT to carry out treatment without access to hot water.

Thank you for helping us ensure the best care for your horses, even in the coldest weather! ❄️ 🥶

21/12/2024

I would like to wish all our clients and their wonderful horses a Merry Christmas 🎄 and a Happy New Year 🥳 from myself and Claire, who most of you will have spoken to many times on the phone to book your appointments and who makes my life a lot easier running the diary 😁
My last day at work this year will be the 24th December and I will be returning back to work on Tuesday 7th January. If you wish to book an appointment for the New Year give Claire a call or text on 07775 795283...👍🏼😉 the diary is getting busy in the new year, so to avoid disappointment book early….😁😁
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for there continued support through the year and hope to see you all in the New Year.
Here’s to a happy 2025…..😁😁

28/11/2024

If it’s been over a year since your horse’s last dental check, it’s time to get them booked in.

Horses are incredibly stoic and may not show obvious signs of dental pain, they often adapt by chewing on one side to avoid discomfort.

Don’t let your horse suffer in silence. Book their dental appointment today and ensure their oral comfort.



www.baedt.com

05/11/2024

Quidding can be caused by a number of dental problems and is usually due to either the horse being in pain or because they are physically unable to chew long fibre forage efficiently. In pain related cases, the horse may be avoiding chewing in a specific area of the mouth due to discomfort. This can result from conditions such as periodontal disease caused by diastemata, or fractured, displaced, or even loose teeth, which may be causing soft tissue injury. In cases where they are physically unable to chew efficiently, the horse might be struggling due to uneven grinding surfaces, large malocclusions restricting lower jaw movement, or excessive tooth wear from old age, resulting in lack of occlusion and therefore compromised chewing ability.

If you notice your horse quidding, it’s crucial to have them checked by your EDT promptly. A thorough dental examination will identify the cause of the quidding, allowing you to discuss a treatment plan with your EDT and potentially any dietary changes.

If your horse lives out over winter, remember to regularly check the area around the hay for signs of quidding. It’s also important to monitor body condition under rugs throughout the season.

Regular lifelong dental care provides peace of mind, ensuring your horse is free from discomfort and allows early detection of any dental issues. If it’s been more than a year since their last checkup, now is a key time to book one, giving them the best chance to maintain body condition through the winter. Waiting for problems to arise may mean they are more difficult to manage long term.

01/10/2024

Hello October! 🍁🍂

As you prepare for the colder months ahead, now is the perfect time to ensure your horse's dental care is up to date. If it’s been over a year since their last treatment, it’s really important to have them checked before winter. It’s especially important in older horses who may be prone to weight loss or may have reduced chewing surfaces.

A thorough dental treatment will ensure your horse is free from discomfort, detect early signs of dental disease, improve chewing efficiency, and allow them to perform at their best. Regular dental care will also help prevent future dental problems.

All our BAEDT members receive extensive training and are rigorously examined, ensuring the highest standards of care. Each member is approved by BEVA/BVDA, so you can feel confident your horse is in experienced hands.

Take the first step in preparing your horse for winter. Visit www.baedt.com to find a qualified equine dental technician near you!

26/09/2024

A quote from the legendary Australian horse trainer Tom Roberts.
Some great advice for any horse owner whether professional or amateur. 🐴😁

12/09/2024

Don’t forget the broodmares…😁😁

Even though your broodmare isn’t in active work, regular dental treatments are still an important part of their welfare. Regular routine treatments will ensure they are comfortable, identify any dental problems early, and avoid any other potential dental problems in the future, this will allow efficient mastication and therefore ensure they receive adequate nutrition.

Broodmares are often overlooked, but it's essential to prioritise their dental care when it's safe to do so. Waiting for dental problems to arise may lead to problems becoming more difficult to manage.

Don’t let your broodmares be forgotten — make sure you schedule their dental checks regularly with a BAEDT member!

07/09/2024

If your calling or texting Claire to book an appointment and your location is a field or down a track and tricky to find, the postcode doesn’t always get people to the right spot, download the free What3words app.

Every 3 metre square of the world has been given a unique combination of three words. It’s really helpful to find you if your field or yard isn’t the easiest to find!
Also really handy if your out riding and have an accident you can give the emergency services your exact location.

Very easy to use, simply download the app and pinpoint the square for your location.

06/09/2024

Friday fact day…😁😁

It’s a common misconception that a horse’s teeth keep growing indefinitely. In reality, horses have evolved to have hypsodont dentition, meaning they have teeth with a large reserve crown that gradually erupts over their lifetime whilst being worn down through grazing.

The teeth erupt and wear down at a rate of approximately 2-4mm per year. This process means that the length of the hypsodont tooth is finite; eventually, the tooth will wear down completely as the horse ages.

If dental overgrowths occur and are not properly managed, they will continue to worsen over time because the teeth will continue erupting. Regular dental check-ups are essential to address these issues and maintain your horse’s oral health.

02/09/2024

📞📞📞…..Just to let clients know that we are disconnecting our landline number soon so for future appointments call or text Claire on 07775795283…..📱📱📱

30/08/2024

✨ FAQ Friday ✨

26/08/2024

22/08/2024

Do you know the difference 🤔 ?

Wolf Teeth

🦷 Wolf teeth are usually found on the upper jaw positioned in front of the first molars (06s), and less commonly on the lower jaw.
🦷 Wolf teeth typically erupt after 6 months of age.
🦷Wolf teeth are vestigial remnants, meaning they no longer serve a functional purpose. Their shape, size, and root length can vary widely.
🦷 Wolf teeth are found in both males and females, research suggests they are found in 13-40% of horses.
🦷 Wolf tooth removal is often considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on whether they interfere with the bit or cause any discomfort.

Canine Teeth

🦷 Equines can have four canines in total, two on the upper jaw and two on the lower jaw.
🦷 Canines are situated in the interdental space, just behind the incisors.
🦷 Canines typically erupt between 4.5 to 6 years of age.
🦷 Canines are a fighting tooth, while predominantly found in males, some females may have rudimentary canines which are generally smaller.
🦷 Canine teeth are prone to calculus buildup, which can lead to gingivitis. Regular dental check ups are necessary to remove the calculus and maintain oral health.

16/08/2024

A follow up to my last shared post regarding the importance of regular dentals for Shetland ponies, this article is courtesy of BAEDT Veterinary member Vikki Fowler MRCVS.

Following our recent post on the importance of dental care for Shetlands, we present this case of a 19-year-old Shetland pony who was recently acquired by a new owner. The owner had noticed the pony storing food in her cheeks, much like a hamster, and was concerned about potential dental issues given her lack of prior dental history.

A dental examination was promptly arranged with a BAEDT Veterinary member revealing multiple significant issues: sharp enamel points, overgrown teeth, displaced teeth, and food impaction. These problems would have caused the pony considerable discomfort whenever she tried to chew.

During treatment, the overgrown teeth were carefully reduced, the displaced tooth was extracted, and all impacted food was thoroughly cleaned out with water irrigation. Ongoing treatment will be necessary to manage her dental health, with the goal of ensuring maximum comfort and maximum chewing efficiency.

This case underscores the importance of regular dental care, especially for Shetlands. Without intervention, these dental issues would have progressively worsened and would have eventually left her unable to chew hay at all, requiring a mash diet instead. Dental issues like these can be avoided with regular dental care throughout their lifetime.

Thankfully, this pony is now feeling much more comfortable following her treatment. Special thanks to Vikki Fowler MRCVS BAEDT for sharing this case.

14/08/2024

Small but mighty! Whether they are young or old, ridden or not, appear to be in good condition, every Shetland pony should have their teeth checked and maintained at least once a year.

Due to their small mouths, Shetlands are particularly prone to dental issues which could eventually lead to premature tooth loss and being unable to eat efficiently if not appropriately addressed.

Regular lifelong dental care is essential to maintain and prevent these problems, ensure their overall well being and give them the best chance of efficient grinding surfaces in old age. Don't overlook the importance of dental care for your Shetland pony.

09/08/2024

Archaeologists studying Mongolian horse remains discovered that early nomadic cultures practiced equine dentistry as far back as 1150BCE, in the late Bronze Age. This period is closely linked with the beginning of horseback riding and the rise of mobile pastoralism.

Research also shows evidence of extracted wolf teeth by 750 BCE, which coincides with the introduction of metal bits. The use of metal bits often caused oral trauma, leading to the need for dental care.

These findings suggest that nomadic people were pioneers in veterinary care, with their innovations in equine dentistry not only enhancing communication, trade, and military power but also playing a crucial role in integrating horses into cultures and economies worldwide, ultimately reshaping human societies.

Source: (Taylor et al, 2018)

17/07/2024

🐴🐴🐴CLIENT REMINDER 🐴🐴🐴

Not a subject I like to talk about but due to recently having to chase up unpaid invoices and even having to write off some unpaid invoices 😡 I would just like to remind clients of the payment protocol that I have in place.
Payment is accepted by one of the following methods: Cash 💷, Cheque 🖋️, BACS , Apple Pay.
Payment is always due at the time of your appointment, so please make sure you either have cash with you, or your mobile banking app ready to make a transfer, or if your still old school 🤘🏼😈your cheque book.
I appreciate that some yards I visit the mobile signal is not great so therefore I can not use my card machine or your mobile banking app will not work. In this situation you will be invoiced via email and the invoice paid within 7 days of receipt.
Thanks Greg & Claire