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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 324
| Y’all, this just drives me absolutely nuts. I very recently got a 9 year old gelding who has NEVER had his teeth done. I took him to my dentist yesterday and I was astonished, his teeth looked like serrated knives. I feel so bad for this guy, he’s been in constant pain for so long.
It just infuriates me, if you aren’t going to do the basics: feed, farrier, dentist, vet, chiro, etc., etc. don’t get the horse! It’s not fair for the horse to suffer at the hands of an owner’s negligence.
Okay sorry... rant over  | |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 477
Location: Lost in the swamps | I was just telling someone that I'm trying to find a kid horse for that 3/4 of the ones she has sent me look like they are crippled or in dire need of injections! Lol and it kills me to see a video the horse that looks like it's in obvious in pain and won't even get on his hocks and turn a barrel efficiently and the seller tells me oh he's great he requires zero maintence! !
I tell her vet check everything and see what your willing to deal with if your interested in the horse. Could be a great horse if it's cared for!
Edited by imturnin3 2018-06-02 10:48 AM
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 BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25351
Location: Bastrop, Texas | What galls me is that some of these people will think nothing of spending $4000 on saddles and $900 on multiple tack sets. | |
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| I'm not sure where Flitastic's post went, but I agree with her thoughts. Basic maintenance constitutes making sure the horse stays alive- feed and water, sometimes shelter. Wild horses have survived for centuries without any extra maintenance or care.
I do understand where you are coming from, but for a lot of people horses are livestock just like cattle, and they don't know/don't care to spend more than the minimum required. For others, they will go above and beyond, which is nice yes, but not everyone has the same opinion of "minimum or basic".
I grew up on a horse and cattle ranch, and we never had teeth floated until I started high school rodeoing and had a very finicky mare that needed a lot of dental care, because it wasn't seen as necessary unless it was an issue. Now, having a dental done is a high priority before I start using a bit on my young horses, but I wouldn't say it's making me lose my faith in humanity if a horse doesn't have its teeth floated regularly. We don't always know what is going on in another person's life, or their knowledge of horse care. | |
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| Bear - 2018-06-02 8:29 AM
What galls me is that some of these people will think nothing of spending $4000 on saddles and $900 on multiple tack sets.
I also agree with Bear, if you're willing to spend the money on making yourself look good, you better make darn sure that horse carrying you is sound, happy and healthy- which usually means going above and beyond basic maintenance.
Edited by madredepeanut 2018-06-02 12:23 PM
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| madredepeanut - 2018-06-02 12:11 PM I'm not sure where Flitastic's post went, but I agree with her thoughts. Basic maintenance constitutes making sure the horse stays alive- feed and water, sometimes shelter. Wild horses have survived for centuries without any extra maintenance or care. I do understand where you are coming from, but for a lot of people horses are livestock just like cattle, and they don't know/don't care to spend more than the minimum required. For others, they will go above and beyond, which is nice yes, but not everyone has the same opinion of "minimum or basic". I grew up on a horse and cattle ranch, and we never had teeth floated until I started high school rodeoing and had a very finicky mare that needed a lot of dental care, because it wasn't seen as necessary unless it was an issue. Now, having a dental done is a high priority before I start using a bit on my young horses, but I wouldn't say it's making me lose my faith in humanity if a horse doesn't have its teeth floated regularly. We don't always know what is going on in another person's life, or their knowledge of horse care. Comparing the care of wild horses to those kept in captivity is apples and oranges. Wild horses are free to roam and graze, aren’t fed grains, which many are filled with junk, not asked to work and perform maneuvers on a regular basis that we ask of our performance horses. Grains cause teeth to grow, lack of grazing and room to roam miles and miles can cause issues.
Edited by rodeomom3 2018-06-02 12:26 PM
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| rodeomom3 - 2018-06-02 10:24 AM
madredepeanut - 2018-06-02 12:11 PM I'm not sure where Flitastic's post went, but I agree with her thoughts. Basic maintenance constitutes making sure the horse stays alive- feed and water, sometimes shelter. Wild horses have survived for centuries without any extra maintenance or care. I do understand where you are coming from, but for a lot of people horses are livestock just like cattle, and they don't know/don't care to spend more than the minimum required. For others, they will go above and beyond, which is nice yes, but not everyone has the same opinion of "minimum or basic". I grew up on a horse and cattle ranch, and we never had teeth floated until I started high school rodeoing and had a very finicky mare that needed a lot of dental care, because it wasn't seen as necessary unless it was an issue. Now, having a dental done is a high priority before I start using a bit on my young horses, but I wouldn't say it's making me lose my faith in humanity if a horse doesn't have its teeth floated regularly. We don't always know what is going on in another person's life, or their knowledge of horse care.
Comparing the care of wild horses to those kept in captivity is apples and oranges. Wild horses are free to roam and graze, aren’t fed grains, which many are filled with junk, not asked to work and perform maneuvers on a regular basis that we ask of our performance horses. Grains cause teeth to grow, lack of grazing and room to roam miles and miles can cause issues.
I understand not having the education or finances to properly provide basic maintenance but don’t own horses if you are not willing to at least provide the minimum, teeth, feet etc and set a little $$ aside for the vet when needed.
I understand entirely that a wild horse is different from a horse in captivity, domesticated by humans. However, there are people who graze their horses on thousand acre ranches, and don't do anything beyond making sure they're still alive at the end of the day. When a horse is being used for more than just roaming the hillside, yes basic needs change. Grains don't cause teeth to grow, teeth continually erupt as a horse ages.
I completely agree that if you don't understand or can't afford the basic needs of your horse, depending on their use or necessity in your life, or if you choose to not make that a priority, then you should rethink owning horses. Horses are a luxury, not a necessity.
Edited by madredepeanut 2018-06-02 12:35 PM
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Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| I meant grain contributes to teeth growing at a faster rate plus combined with lack of continual grazing neccesitates the need for dental work in performance horses. | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 762
Location: NC | I work for a farm supply store and when people say i have a skinny horse what should i feed them? The first words out of my mouth are when was the last time the horse had teeth done? Most people its not high on their agenda. (example i had a woman last night tell me shes had horses 40+ years and fed 14% grain and theyve been fine. But this horse is skinny. when asked about teeth she shrugged and said uh prob never. But what kind of feed and wormer should i use) I shake my head at some people. Plenty of people rescue a skinny one and i say id have teeth checked and they say thats next with vet appt. So there are good and bad | |
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 Expert
Posts: 5290
| madredepeanut - 2018-06-02 10:11 AM
I'm not sure where Flitastic's post went, but I agree with her thoughts. Basic maintenance constitutes making sure the horse stays alive- feed and water, sometimes shelter. Wild horses have survived for centuries without any extra maintenance or care.
I do understand where you are coming from, but for a lot of people horses are livestock just like cattle, and they don't know/don't care to spend more than the minimum required. For others, they will go above and beyond, which is nice yes, but not everyone has the same opinion of "minimum or basic".
I grew up on a horse and cattle ranch, and we never had teeth floated until I started high school rodeoing and had a very finicky mare that needed a lot of dental care, because it wasn't seen as necessary unless it was an issue. Now, having a dental done is a high priority before I start using a bit on my young horses, but I wouldn't say it's making me lose my faith in humanity if a horse doesn't have its teeth floated regularly. We don't always know what is going on in another person's life, or their knowledge of horse care.
Mine double posted for some reason and I deleted only ONE of them and then they were both gone. Oh well. Lol | |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | FLITASTIC - 2018-06-02 1:33 PM madredepeanut - 2018-06-02 10:11 AM I'm not sure where Flitastic's post went, but I agree with her thoughts. Basic maintenance constitutes making sure the horse stays alive- feed and water, sometimes shelter. Wild horses have survived for centuries without any extra maintenance or care. I do understand where you are coming from, but for a lot of people horses are livestock just like cattle, and they don't know/don't care to spend more than the minimum required. For others, they will go above and beyond, which is nice yes, but not everyone has the same opinion of "minimum or basic". I grew up on a horse and cattle ranch, and we never had teeth floated until I started high school rodeoing and had a very finicky mare that needed a lot of dental care, because it wasn't seen as necessary unless it was an issue. Now, having a dental done is a high priority before I start using a bit on my young horses, but I wouldn't say it's making me lose my faith in humanity if a horse doesn't have its teeth floated regularly. We don't always know what is going on in another person's life, or their knowledge of horse care. Mine double posted for some reason and I deleted only ONE of them and then they were both gone. Oh well. Lol
I saw your post Flit and I thought that was a good point in what you said about the maintenance.  | |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 312
Location: KS | How often does everyone get their horses teeth floated? I have never done it on a yearly basis like I would everything else. Never had our vet tell me to bring them in once a year?! | |
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Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| Peewee212 - 2018-06-02 3:59 PM How often does everyone get their horses teeth floated? I have never done it on a yearly basis like I would everything else. Never had our vet tell me to bring them in once a year?!
I get mine checked annually, sometimes they need it, sometimes they don’t | |
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  Witty Enough
Posts: 2954
Location: CTX | Peewee212 - 2018-06-02 3:59 PM How often does everyone get their horses teeth floated? I have never done it on a yearly basis like I would everything else. Never had our vet tell me to bring them in once a year?! I try to have them done twice a year, but sometimes life gets in the way. But the minimum is at least once a year by an equine dentist. ETA, to clarify, I get them checked at least once a year, they don't always need to be done. But that's up to the expert.
Edited by cranky B4 10am 2018-06-02 9:35 PM
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 Take a Picture
Posts: 12838
| Actually horses' teeth erupt not grow. The entire tooth is under the gum line. Horses in our modern environment have a completely different set of environmental issues from horses in the wild. Wild horses eat grass not some type of grain. Also horses in the wild that do not do well in their environment die off. A person who takes off too much when floating teeth can cause the horses' teeth to eject way faster than feed causing the horses' teeth to age faster. Hence the term"floating" teeth. How often a horse has their teeth floated depends on their age but other environmental factors do play a part. I have my two year olds floated before they are ridden. Three and four year olds are done or checked at least three times a year because there are so many changes. Five year olds are checked twice a year then once a year after that. I recently bought a 15 year old broodmare that was pretty thin and had her teeth floated. It definitely helped. Pasture ornaments and broodmares really do not need the maintenance that ANY riding horse needs because they have a completely different set of needs. Older horses may be able to go a couple of years but need to be checked.
In 1976 I read an article about floating teeth and decided it must be important. I have been getting my horses' teeth floated ever since. My equine dentist appreciates the fact that I am educated about the importance of equine tooth care.
I might add that there is a lot of basic maintenance that does not cost anything that most people do not do. | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 618
| As said before basic care will vary from person to person based on their level of knowledge, experience and or "philosophy" on what a horse needs. I don't chiro st all unless recommended by my vet so it's not a "basic care" for me. For each horse their "basic care" is dependent on what their individual needs are.
They all get fed well, watered, wormed, vacs, teeth done as needed and 6 week farrier schedule, except for broodies they are on 8 week, | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 618
| Bear - 2018-06-02 10:29 AM
What galls me is that some of these people will think nothing of spending $4000 on saddles and $900 on multiple tack sets.
Or continue to enter barrel races instead of vetting their obviously hurting horse.
I kid you not, there's a super nice horse locally, could be a strong 1D horse, who on at least 3 occasions has had an injury. Instead of vet diagnosis, she relied on her farrier for diagnosis. And I quote, "I cant afford a vet bill" but enters up at least 2-3 times a week. The horse/rider has not improved in the last 2 yrs and actually a lot of ways regressed. A months worth of entry fees and fuel would pay for her vet bill but she doesn't want to be off of her | |
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Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| iloveequine40 - 2018-06-03 7:27 AM Bear - 2018-06-02 10:29 AM What galls me is that some of these people will think nothing of spending $4000 on saddles and $900 on multiple tack sets. Or continue to enter barrel races instead of vetting their obviously hurting horse. I kid you not, there's a super nice horse locally, could be a strong 1D horse, who on at least 3 occasions has had an injury. Instead of vet diagnosis, she relied on her farrier for diagnosis. And I quote, "I cant afford a vet bill" but enters up at least 2-3 times a week. The horse/rider has not improved in the last 2 yrs and actually a lot of ways regressed. A months worth of entry fees and fuel would pay for her vet bill but she doesn't want to be off of her
The irony of the horse you you are referring too is that the odds are if he was taken care of properly he probably would be winning and paying his way. The investment of good vet care can mean more money in your pocket that will cover the vet care plus some.
Edited by rodeomom3 2018-06-03 7:51 AM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 618
| rodeomom3 - 2018-06-03 7:50 AM
iloveequine40 - 2018-06-03 7:27 AM Bear - 2018-06-02 10:29 AM What galls me is that some of these people will think nothing of spending $4000 on saddles and $900 on multiple tack sets. Or continue to enter barrel races instead of vetting their obviously hurting horse. I kid you not, there's a super nice horse locally, could be a strong 1D horse, who on at least 3 occasions has had an injury. Instead of vet diagnosis, she relied on her farrier for diagnosis. And I quote, "I cant afford a vet bill" but enters up at least 2-3 times a week. The horse/rider has not improved in the last 2 yrs and actually a lot of ways regressed. A months worth of entry fees and fuel would pay for her vet bill but she doesn't want to be off of her
The irony of the horse you you are referring too is that the odds are if he was taken care of properly he probably would be winning and paying his way. The investment of good vet care can mean more money in your pocket that will cover the vet care plus some.
I agree 100% but keep my mouth shut bc her ego about training this horse herself is in the way and gets completely offended if I say really anything about anything bc she's convinced I have deep pockets even though she barely knows me????
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 Expert
Posts: 1631
Location: Somewhere around here | Peewee212 - 2018-06-02 2:59 PM
How often does everyone get their horses teeth floated? I have never done it on a yearly basis like I would everything else. Never had our vet tell me to bring them in once a year?!
Every February/March I bring the horses is for an annual check; teeth, hocks, anything abnormal, and spring shots. My horse is 9 and he is the kind of horse that needs it done every year. Two of my husband's older geldings don't really need it done except for once every few years. | |
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