How long to wait to ride after teeth floated?

[Scarlett 001]

Skeeter is having his teeth floated (manual float) on Saturday. I am sure the dentist will tell me, but just curious as to how many days I might have to wait to ride him after his teeth are done? Does one have to wait a few days? If so, how many?

[Skyhuntress]

Really depends on how much is done. Some horses actually need to readjust to eating, let alone the bit. But generally, we ride in about 2 days, assuming nothing major was done. (and really, that's just a precaution. I would assume you probably COULD ride right away if you really wanted to, but no one feels good after a dentist LOL) ;)

[domane]

Pardon my English ignorance here but what does "floating" mean? Is it what we across the water would call "rasping"??? Just curious! :D

PS If that's the case, Cherry had hers done for the first time under my ownership recently (by an equine dentist) and I was told she could be ridden straight away.... went straight back to her haynet as soon as all finished!! (I didn't ride her straight away though)

[LMS]

Yep, rasping the teeth is the same as floating.

[kedwards]

I've always ridden the next day after a maintenance floating. I've never noticed a difference in my horse (at least not in a negative way) and have never been told to wait.

Major dental work would be a different matter. Also, if the horse's teeth had been neglected for a long time, I might expect the floating could be more traumatic.

[KarinUS]

Keep in mind sedatives. DJ usually takes two doses so he is very drowsy- definitely not a candidate for right away riding.
Last time he also flung the helper around a bunch and so he seemed very sore for a couple of days. Didn't even feel good enough to bend down to eat, poor baby.
I'd just play it by ear and see how he does.

[artemis]

Most horses in the UK don't have sedatives for teeth work.

[DITZ]

24 hours i was told, that was without sedative.

[Scarlett 001]

So just got back from having Skeeter's teeth floated.

He was a super good boy - very well behaved for the dentist (no sedatives). I really liked this dentist - he was a very calming person, and spent quite a bit of time relaxing Skeeter and was very soothing/gentle with him. It went well. Of course Skeeter did not love it, but all in all he was as good as I could have hoped for. :)

I have decided to give Skeeter the day off, and ride him tomorrow. The dentist said I could ride today if I wanted, but Skeeterling deserves a rest today for being such a good boy.