Why do I need to float my horse’s teeth?

floating_teethQUESTION:
Over the past couple of months, I have been having some trouble with my 5 year old gelding tossing his head while I am riding. He takes the bit normally, and then shortly after we begin working, he starts throwing his head around, and gets quite agitated. We can usually work through it, but it is troublesome. I don’t remember him doing anything like this last summer, could there be a medical issue?

ANSWER:
There are a number of possible reasons for the head tossing. The most common reason that we find here at MVS for head tossing, is dental issues.
One of the most important lines of communication with our horses can be through the mouth. Halters, bridles and bits are all a means of communicating our intentions when riding and also when leading our horses. An often overlooked reason for this line of communication to break down can be due to problems with the horse’s mouth.
Dental work in horses has progressed quite a bit in the past 10 years. Gone are the days of simply running a float up in a horse’s mouth with no sedation or restraint. To perform a full dental exam, we will most likely want to sedate your horse and use a full mouth speculum. This allows us to examine the entire mouth, all the way to the teeth in the very back of the mouth. Routine exams of the mouth usually find sharp points on the outside surfaces of the upper teeth, next to the cheeks. These sharp points can cause painful oral ulcers, which can be exacerbated when bridles/headstalls place pressure over the area of the ulcer with their cheek bands. A common complaint from a horse that is in need of dental work is that the horse has been “throwing his head” or “fighting the bit”. This is a result of these painful oral ulcers being aggravated with the bridle. We will be able to assess this type of problem with a full mouth speculum exam.
A good time to think of getting your horse’s first dental exam is around the time that your horse begins training/riding lessons. This corresponds with the first time that we ask our horses’ to take a bit as well. A common misconception is that only older horses need dentistry performed. Young horses actually get much more out of routine dentistry than their older counterparts. Young horse teeth are softer than older horse teeth and as a result can change more quickly than old horse teeth. This means that the edges of your young horse’s teeth can develop points on them that are as sharp as puppy teeth! Imagine trying to learn about a bit and bridle with those needle sharp points digging into your cheek or tongue. With a complaint of training difficulties in a young horse, one of the first things to is his mouth.

Horses that receive dental work on a regular basis are able to avoid some of these uncomfortable conditions. Regular dental work will also give us the opportunity to detect other abnormalities in the mouth as well. Malocclusions, or disruptions to the normal chewing surface of the tooth, can lead to fractures, tooth root infections, and a decrease in feed efficiency. Timely diagnosis and treatment of these problems will help to keep your horse healthy and making the most of his feed for years to come. We recently were able to work on a horse that just celebrated his 30th birthday. Since he has had regular dental work done for over 20 years, he still has a VERY healthy set of teeth left with which to chew. In contrast, I have seen 30 year old horses without regular dental care have very few healthy teeth left with which to chew hay. This can lead to weight loss, and a host of other health problems.

Communication with our equine friends is always an important aspect of enjoying our time riding. Doing everything that we can to eliminate distractions to the horse will only ensure that we have the most open lines of communication, leading to the optimum performance from our trusted mounts. When your horse clearly understands what it is that you are asking him to do, then he is much more likely to respond well to your request. With proper dental care, you can make the most of this season riding, and communicating, with your horse.

Trail First Aid. What Do I Need?

trail

QUESTION:
My wife and I were out riding over the weekend, and are relatively new to horses and her horse tripped and fell to her knees. The mare stood up quickly, and walked out of it ok. There were a couple of skinned areas on her knees and ankles, but nothing appeared significant. When we got home we cleaned her up as well as we could. We asked our friends what we should keep with us on the trail? I think that we have a pretty good list, but would like your input.

ANSWER:
When deciding what first aid items should come with you, consider the terrain you will be riding in, how far you will be from the trailhead/barn and the possible “emergencies” that could arise for your horse.

One of the most common injuries on the trail is a laceration- from a small scratch to a significant cut. As veterinarians, we’ve seen the full spectrum of wounds coming in from a trail ride, and they can happen from head to toe. When dealing with a laceration, the first step is to control bleeding. If you are carrying at least some basic bandage materials (which is never a bad idea) including sterile pads, some roll cotton, and some vet wrap, you can apply a pressure bandage. Call us about the varying bandaging techniques used on the horse’s oddly shaped legs. The bandage will also help with the second most important goal of wound care, keeping the wound clean until you can get your horse to the vet, or a vet to him.

No matter the terrain, there is always the possibility of colic with a horse. Dehydration can be a risk factor for colic. Decreased water intake prior to a ride, a significant amount of physical exertion, and even the length between drinks can cause dehydration in your horse. While not every dehydrated working horse experiences colic, the longer that they are dehydrated, the more likely colic is to occur. If your horse doesn’t drink well away from home, or frets on the trailer, using paste electrolytes to increase his desire to drink before the ride, will help him to “tank up”, as well as keeping his electrolyte loss minimized. Knowing your horses’ fitness level and his ability level will help prevent overworking your horse. Again, if you know your horse is going to exercise more than normal, electrolytes can help prevent an issue. Ask us about whether or not you should have a dose of Banamine (Flunixin Meglumine) with you on longer trail rides or overnight pack trips.

One other piece of a trail first aid kit is a section of old garden hose about 12 inches in length. This odd piece of “first aid” equipment is in the event that you and your horse run across a rattlesnake. It may seem strange, but the most common spot for a horse to be bitten by a rattlesnake is on the nose. The horse is usually trying to figure out what was making all of that noise. The horse’s nose will begin to swell, and can eventually reduce the amount of air he can more through the nose, to the point of suffocation. That’s when the garden hose comes in handy- the horse may not be happy about it, but it may save his life. If you are not familiar with what to do, be sure to ask us about how to properly use this technique.

The goals of first aid on the trail range from keeping a scratch clean to potentially stabilizing your horse until professional help can be obtained. As with many situations, a little first aid forethought and preparation can help your horse, and possibly even save their life. We have found that the following things can be a good starting point for a first aid kit, but feel free to ask us about what works best for your situation.

  • First Aid Kit
  • Stethoscope
  • Thermometer
  • Bandage Scissors
  • Flashlight/headlamp
  • 4×4 gauze pads (20-50)
  • Sheet or Roll cotton
  • 6” gauze roll
  • 3” or 4” Elastikon roll (1 or 2)
  • Vet wrap
  • Telfa (non-stick) pads
  • Plastic cup
  • Anti-bacterial hand soap or Anti-septic soap
  • Anti-bacterial first aid ointment (Neosporin or similar)
  • 12” length of garden hose

Does My Horse Have Gastric Ulcers?

ulcersQUESTION:
I have a 10 year old gelding that has had a number of “small” colics over that last couple of months. Most of them started with him not wanting to eat, and then within a few hours was laying down, and looking at his belly. In these episodes, I have only had to call the vet once, and when he was examining him, he said that there was a possibility that he had ulcers. Why, after having him for 3 years and never having colicked before this winter, is he having so many issues?

ANSWER:
While there are a number of reasons for a horse to colic, ulcers certainly have come into light over the last few years. Recent research has confirmed that our equine friends often deal with EGUS (Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome). The affect this can have on our horses range from behavioral changes to chronic/ repetitive colic. Ulcers in horses have been shown to appear after as little as five days after a small change in diet, exercise, or housing. There are certainly other factors that will increase any one horses’ particular chance for having ulcers. These factors include- general disposition (are they a “stressed” horse), are they under intense training, is there a new herd mate or stall neighbor. So in the case above, as veterinarians, we would ask many questions looking for changes or predisposing factors that might have suddenly led this horse to become an “ulcer horse.”
There is only one way to definitively diagnose gastric ulcers in a horse, and that is with a gastroscope. Often times, trial therapy is used to confirm your veterinarian’s suspicions of EGUS. We will begin treatment (with omeprazole, cimetidine, ranitidine, or famotidine) and the owners evaluate whether the treatment has reduced or eliminated the clinical signs that the horse was experiencing.

Suspensory Ligament Injuries

QUESTION:
I am considering a 9 year old mare, as a horse for my daughter and future grandchildren. The mare has seen a vet for a torn suspensory ligament. I have met the horse and was impressed with her disposition. I noted the ‘droopy’ hind foot when I watched her walk. My concern is of safety for my daughter and future grandchildren. I did some internet research of this injury, and am now leery of using the mare. We are pleasure riders only, and the mare would be ridden lightly. Loping in a pasture and some light trail rides would be considered. I fear this mare could possibly reinjure her ligaments, causing us to stable her and not use her as we would desire.

What is the mare’s prognosis? How safe would she be? What is the likelihood of reinjuring the leg? Does she require special shoes?

ANSWER:
To be able to answer the specific questions above, we would need to see and examine the horse in question. But certainly we can cover the general information about suspensory ligament desmitis (inflammation of the suspensory ligament). Suspensory ligament injuries can be very difficult for a horse to return to full work. There are a couple of possible scenarios leading to these injuries. The first is trauma induced (like a sprain), and the second is a degenerative disease (though this usually occurs in multiple limbs). According to some texts, approximately 55% of all horses with a traumatic suspensory injury can return to their original use levels.
With the information given above, there is certainly a high index of suspicion of a traumatic injury, which has not completely healed. In this case, a lameness exam would allow us to accurately assess and diagnose the condition of this horse. With the exam, a veterinarian would have a better idea as to the nature of the injury, and the long term effects, including prognosis for use or possibility for re-injury.

Sudden severe lameness. What are the signs of a hoof abscess?

QUESTION:
I left for work this morning and my 9 year old gelding was moving normally at that time. When I returned home, he was extremely lame, not wanting to place any weight on his Left front foot. After looking him over, I could not find any swelling or heat in the leg. I talked with my veterinarian over the phone, and he explained that it was likely a hoof abscess. Could you discuss hoof abscesses here?

ANSWER:
This is a very common scenario…one day the horse is fine, and the next, he is extremely lame with no apparent injury. Without swelling on the limb, and any other marks / wounds, this is most likely a hoof abscess.

Hoof abscesses occur when bacteria make their way into the sensitive portion of the foot, and begin to create pus within the confines of the foot. With no easy way to expand, and the growing amount of pus, the pressure increases, and begins to cause severe pain. The bacteria usually finds its way in with the assistance of moisture, making abscesses much more common during the winter and spring months.

The signs associated with hoof abscesses are usually severe lameness, and often a more distinct or throbbing pulse in the affected foot. There can be pain associated with palpation of the coronary band on the affected foot.
Hoof abscesses are certainly a common issue within our practice, and with proper treatment and care, can resolve quickly. It is certainly a condition that an owner should involve a vet quickly, to prevent any complications and assure that an abscess is the correct diagnosis.

What does it mean when a horse has locking stifles or a locking patella?

QUESTION:
We were at a barrel race last week and my mare suddenly did not want to move. We initially thought that she may be tying up. The vet came out and said that since she wasn’t sweating, she wasn’t likely tying up. After a brief exam, he pushed her hind end a bit, and then she began to move, explaining that her stifles were “locked”. He was in a hurry and did not have time to discuss the issue at length. Could you please discuss “locking stifles?”

ANSWER:
The actual term for this condition is “upward fixation of the patella.” According to Adams’ Lameness in Horses “upward fixation of the patella (UFP) occurs when the medial patellar ligament becomes caught over the medial trochlear ridge. If it becomes fixed in that position, the hind limb cannot be flexed.”

This condition is more likely to occur in a horse with straight hind limb conformation or upright stifles. Though UFP often presents in one limb, both limbs are likely affected. In addition to the conformation of the horse, another significant factor is the fitness level (under conditioned) of the horse. With the out of shape horse, there can be a laxity in the patellar ligament, allowing for the upward fixation. This fixation can occur in different severities, leading to varied levels of lameness. There are multiple treatment options available, but it is best to consult a veterinarian for each individual case.

What are the signs of Strangles? What other things can mimic Strangles?

QUESTION:
I have a 6-month-old colt that has a swollen lymph node under the right jaw the size of an small orange he does not have any clinical signs of illness, eating well, drinking and is playing with the other foals. There have never been any strangles on the place or any of the other horses have never had it. He has not had any nasal discharge or cough. Could you could please give me advice on a possibility what this might be?

ANSWER:
Swollen areas under the jaw should always be examined by your veterinarian, especially in young horses.  While Strangles (or infection with Streptococcus equi ssp equi) can present with the exact symptoms that you are describing, there are other sources of the swelling possible.  First, it is good to rule out the fact that the swelling is in fact a lymph node.  There are salivary glands in the area that can become swollen and filled with saliva (a salivary mucocele).  Second, you want to rule out dental (tooth) involvement.  Depending on where the swelling is, it could be an infected tooth root on the mandible.  Most of these things will be apparent to your veterinarian when he/she performs the examination.  Your vet might also want to perform a needle aspiration of the contents of the swelling, and potentially culture the contents to confirm or rule out bacterial involvement, and therefore confirm or rule out Strangles.

Why is my mare behaving this way?

QUESTION:
I run a small equine rescue and I recently took in two mares. They will not socialize with others horses since one of the mare’s is so dominant, and she acts like a Stallion, herding the other mare away from the other horses. If any horse comes near her and her stable mate, she attacks. Could this be a physical problem? They also cannot be separated since I have tried to separate them to ride one and they go insane. What can I do to help them get over this separation anxiety?

ANSWER: Any time there is a report of a mare acting like a stallion, we want to make sure that the mare does not have a granulosa-cell tumor.  These tumors can grow on the ovaries and actually secrete testosterone, which would account for the stallion-like behavior.  These tumors can be removed by a veterinary surgeon and removal usually results in a return to normal mare-like behavior.  This may also help to have her be less “herd-bound” to the other mare.  If her hormones are telling her that she is a stallion, than she may view the other mare as her mate, rather than just her herd-mate.

Is equine colic an emergency?

colicQUESTION:
After 12 hours of watching my horse colic, and two shots of Banamine later, not to mention walking my horse for what seemed like a million miles, we resorted to pumping in a gallon of mineral oil with no results. When we contacted our regular vet, he said this was not an emergency and could wait until morning. Is colic a real emergency or were we just panicking?

ANSWER:
Colic is not a disease, but rather a very general term for abdominal pain in your horse.  The most common signs of colic include but are not limited to:

  • Looking at the flank area
  • Pawing incessantly
  • Kicking or biting at the belly
  • Getting up and down
  • Restlessness
  • Repeated rolling
  • Decreased/lack of appetite
  • Stretching out and posturing as if to urinate
  • Yawning/stretching jaw

If your horse is presenting with these signs or other abnormal behavior for that particular horse, time is of the essence, and early intervention can really make the difference.  There are many different causes of equine colic, most of which are related to the gastrointestinal tract, and range greatly in their severity of pain.  The length of time that a horse is experiencing colic can also be important in the severity.  While some causes of colic can take up to a few days to resolve, the longer your horse goes without resolution, the more serious the colic episode can be too.
Many colic cases will resolve without medical attention and we, as horse owners, may never know that they occurred.   If signs worsen, or seem prolonged, it is time to give your veterinarian a call.  Once you have called, wait by the phone and when your veterinarian calls, they will begin with a few questions regarding your horse’s vital signs (temperature, pulse, respiration), general behavior, recent bowel movements, and history (How long has he been colicky? When was the last meal?).  Be prepared to answer these basic questions, and if the veterinarian deems it necessary, be prepared for a veterinary visit.

What is equine founder/ laminitis?

QUESTION:
I have a 6-year-old Quarter mare that foundered a couple of months ago. She has been on a diet and needs to lose quite a few pounds. Is there any possibility that in the future I could let her out in the pasture for a couple of hours or so?

ANSWER:
To answer your question, there is a VERY limited possibility of pasture time, but most likely that will involve wearing a grazing muzzle, and strictly controlling the length of time that the mare is allowed to graze.  This would also presume that before trying this schedule, the mare had already been controlled enough to return to a “normal” weight and was not concurrently experiencing any foot pain associated with founder.
Founder is a disease that most commonly affects the front (toe) region of the foot, but can affect the whole foot.  The cause of founder can be varied, but is usually due to inflammation in a hoof tissue called the lamina.  This inflammation (also called laminitis), can be caused by a primary (like too much grain), or secondary (such as severe colic) reason, both of which can be complicated by metabolic factors and obesity.  Most obese horses are set up to be “at-risk” for founder/laminitis, and only need a small change in feed to cause the inflammation in the lamina.  This change can be as simple as getting into the grain or as innocent as some extra time on rich pasture.
With this in mind, in your mare’s situation it would be VERY important to monitor her pasture time and feed intake.  This would also include monitoring the time of day she is on pasture (nights and mornings are better than the heat of the day) and the season of the pasture (first cutting vs. spring growth vs. late fall) to limit her exposure to simple sugars in the pasture.