HORSES’ DENTAL TROUBLE

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21194, 17 August 1940, Page 19 (Supplement)

HORSES’ DENTAL TROUBLE

When a young horse loses condi- , tion, and there is nothing in the ; i feeding or management to account ' | for it, the seat of the trouble may | often be found in the teeth. Most j farm horses seem to want these attended to when they become about six years ago. The teeth grow irregular, and have a rough or jagged surface which cuts the horse’s tongue and prevents it chewing its food properly. In many cases it will be noticed that the horse slobbers a good deal when feeding, and perhaps drops quids of hay or chaff from its mouth. Another symptom is that the food passes through the animal undigested; or there may be diarrhoea. On any of these symptoms showing themselves a veterinary surgeon should be called in to I examine the teeth. If he finds them irregular he will grind them down level with a special rasp made for the purpose. It is quite a simple operation, and most horses make very little objection to the proceeding. When this has been accomplished the horse should immediately begin to manage his food better and j very soon to pick up condition. If i there is no improvement after about i a fortnight the veterinary surgeon j should be asked to supply some tonic * or condition powders.