Need Tips!

[0dd]

i actually made a board a few days ago simular to this but i just basically need any tips of how to look at a horse's teeth for .. you know, not 5 seconds and then he throws his head out of your reach! :o
any ideas?

he's got grass lodged inbetween his two front teeth (apparantly it needs to be kept out so the gums can grow back down).

[laura jeanne]

How DO you get a horse to keep it's mouth open to work on its teeth? I've always wondered!

[Tots N Dots]

had same issue with a horse a while back, I used to stand on the off side facing the same way as the horse, put my left arm under the chin with my hand over the nose, then with my right hand just used to poke my finder through the lips and dislodge the grass with my fingernail twice a day. she seemed to find the face on approach a bit threatening? she was fine about it this way and after a while if there was any grass stuck she would come and stand in position ready for me to get it out :D I didnt want to use anything other than my fingers incase I missed and caught the gum.

How DO you get a horse to keep it's mouth open to work on its teeth? I've always wondered! dentists normally have something called a gag which is metal and fits in the mouth, it has a rachet system so it holds the mouth open, doesnt look very nice :D

[laura jeanne]

Thanks, I see now, that makes sense.

[Little Gem]

Works best if you use a headcollar & keep head down with your hand then take tongue out side of mouth. They might resist initially but is a good way of doing it. No, it doesn't hurt:)

[0dd]

thanks ^^

.. now why didn't a get a pony.. hmmm lol

[Tots N Dots]

.. now why didn't a get a pony.. hmmm lol
I often find the bigger they are the easier they are, now if you want to come and try something similar on my 14.3/15hh 3 year old while he is having one of his moments? heehee,

[Pink's lady]

PLease do NOT use the tounge to hold them still - I saw someone to that to a pony once, who pulled back and ripped his tougne - blood everywhere :eek:

If you need to hold the head still, put a thumb into the disastamea gum and hook over the gum.

If the horse has a gap between the teeth that keeps filling with grass, it should really be treated by the vet. It's dead easy to do - they just burr the gap bigger with an electric float, so that the grass can get in and out easily. It can be done under standing sedation and isn't difficult. Ask them about it (Paddy Dixon of the RDSVS started it). It's horribly painful for them to have grass stuck like that, and everytime they chew, it puts more pressure on it.

[chapman2006]

i would put a headcollar on and tie the leadrope really short of enough so he/she cant put his/hers head up out of reach. Then gently push a finger on the side of the mouth and if he/she doesnt up their mouth get a bit stronger whilest doing this. If this doesnt work i would force he top and bottom lip away from each other and try it that way. I know this sounds abit rough but trust me it does not hurt the horse in any way.

Sorry for all the he/she or hers/his i dont know what sex the horse is and sorry if u have put it i must of missed it.:o

[Little Gem]

Pinks Lady - I find it the easiest & most practical way:)
The majority of vets/dentists/horse people I have known over the years also hold the tongue.
Surely their can't be too many people out there who are that daft to keep hold of the tongue if the horse is really fighting & in danger of doing damage. :rolleyes: It's a bit like saying don't pick a horses foot up like that cos I once saw someone keep hold of the leg & the horse fell onto its knees & hurt itself!
No offence meant:)