04/19/2024
Horse dental maintenance is one of the cheapest input costs when figured on a per ride training session basis-
Here’s the breakdown, using round numbers for ease of calculation, (although we all know the variables of prices and quality) but breaking it down into input costs of basic business economics…
Let’s say you as an owner put your horse in training, and the trainer charges $1250 a month. The trainer probably rides your horse 25 times per month, so that’s an investment of $50 per ride/training session. Now from that $50 per ride the trainer has to supply stabling, bedding, feed, hay, tack, trailers, trucks, arena, facility, etc.
The farrier shoes your horse every 6 weeks, and charges $200, which comes out to approximately 37.5 rides/sessions per shoeing, which equals $5.33 per ride for your shoeing expense.
The horse needs his teeth done at least every 6 months, and let’s say that charge is also $200, which comes out to 150 rides/training sessions per dental equilibration, which equals $1.33 per ride for your dental expense!
Also consider your horse from 2-5 years old will shed 24 baby teeth and grow in 36 permanent teeth. All during the main ages that we are asking them to develop their skills and athleticism, while using their heads to balance their bodies, without flipping their nose in the air or pushing on the bit. And yet it’s still one of the most “Out of sight, Out of mind” problems that still plagues many horses.
