Equine Dentistry & PowerFloat
Complete Equine Dental Care at PEAK VETS 🐴🦷
Good dental health is an important part of your horse’s overall wellbeing. Horses rely on their teeth every day to chew and process their feed, and dental problems can develop gradually without obvious signs.
At PEAK VETS, our veterinarians have specialised training in equine dentistry and provide thorough dental examinations and treatment for horses of all ages. We use modern PowerFloat equipment to safely and efficiently address dental abnormalities while keeping your horse as comfortable as possible.
From routine dental examinations and floating to more advanced procedures such as dental extractions, our team can provide comprehensive dental care tailored to your horse.
Why Are Regular Dental Checks Important?
A horse’s teeth are constantly changing throughout its life. As teeth wear, sharp enamel points, hooks, ramps and other abnormalities can develop.
Some horses show very few outward signs of dental disease, even when they are experiencing significant discomfort.
Regular veterinary dental examinations allow problems to be identified early, before they begin to affect your horse’s comfort, eating, behaviour or performance.
We recommend a dental examination at least every 12 months, although some horses may require more frequent checks depending on their age, dental history and individual needs.
What Signs Might Indicate a Dental Problem?
Dental disease can sometimes be difficult to recognise. Keep an eye out for:
- Difficulty chewing or dropping feed
- Quidding – dropping partially chewed food
- Excessive salivation
- Weight loss or poor body condition
- Bad breath
- Facial swelling
- Resistance when taking the bit
- Changes in behaviour or ridden performance
- Head tossing or difficulty maintaining contact
- Undigested food appearing in manure
If you notice any of these signs, a veterinary dental examination is recommended.
Thorough Dental Examination
Every dental appointment begins with a complete veterinary assessment.
Your horse's mouth is carefully examined to assess the teeth, gums and surrounding structures. A full-mouth speculum, lighting and dental equipment allow our veterinarians to inspect areas that are difficult to see during a basic visual examination.
We assess for abnormalities including:
- Sharp enamel points
- Hooks, ramps and excessive tooth wear
- Retained deciduous teeth or "caps"
- Fractured or missing teeth
- Loose or diseased teeth
- Periodontal disease
- Tooth decay and infection
- Abnormal tooth growth
- Other conditions affecting the mouth
This thorough examination allows us to develop an appropriate treatment plan for your horse.
PowerFloat Dentistry
At PEAK VETS, we use a PowerFloat to perform equine dental treatments with precision and efficiency.
The PowerFloat is a motorised dental tool designed specifically for equine dentistry. It allows our veterinarians to carefully reduce sharp or excessive areas of tooth while maintaining control over the procedure.
Compared with traditional manual floating alone, powered dental equipment allows treatment to be performed efficiently and accurately, particularly when correcting significant dental abnormalities.
Our priority is always your horse's safety, comfort and welfare throughout the procedure.
Safe Sedation & Handling
For most equine dental procedures, sedation is used to help keep your horse calm and relaxed.
A mild intravenous sedative allows the veterinarian to perform a much more thorough examination and treatment while reducing stress and movement.
Your horse's vital signs and response to sedation are monitored throughout the procedure, and the dental treatment is performed in a controlled and safe environment.
Mobile Equine Dentistry
Don't have a suitable facility at home? No problem.
PEAK VETS offers mobile equine dentistry, allowing our team to provide dental care at your property.
Our portable equine crushes provide a secure environment for dental examinations and treatment and can be set up quickly on your property. They include running water and are designed to make equine procedures safer and more efficient.
For horses that are more comfortable at home, mobile dentistry can be a convenient option.
What Dental Problems Can We Treat?
Our equine dentistry service can assist with a wide range of dental conditions, including:
Sharp enamel points
Sharp areas of enamel can develop along the cheek teeth and may cause discomfort when eating or wearing a bit.
Hooks and ramps
Abnormal tooth wear can create projections that interfere with normal chewing and may cause discomfort.
Retained caps
Young horses can retain deciduous teeth, which may interfere with the eruption and positioning of permanent teeth.
Fractured or diseased teeth
Damaged or infected teeth can be painful and may require treatment or extraction.
Periodontal disease
Disease affecting the tissues surrounding the teeth can cause significant pain and, if left untreated, may lead to tooth loss.
Abnormal wear or tooth growth
Regular examinations help identify changes before they become more significant problems.
The Benefits of Regular Equine Dentistry
Maintaining your horse's dental health can help:
- Keep your horse comfortable while eating
- Support effective chewing and feed utilisation
- Maintain healthy body condition
- Reduce the risk of dental-related digestive problems
- Identify painful conditions early
- Reduce bit-related discomfort
- Support ridden performance and training
- Prevent premature tooth loss
- Maintain good oral health throughout your horse's life
What Happens During a Dental Appointment?
1. Veterinary Health Assessment
Your veterinarian will perform a health assessment and ensure your horse is suitable for sedation and dental treatment.
2. Sedation
Your horse is given an appropriate intravenous sedative to help them remain calm and relaxed.
3. Thorough Oral Examination
A full-mouth speculum is placed and the veterinarian examines the teeth, gums and mouth using appropriate lighting and dental equipment.
4. Dental Treatment
Any abnormalities identified during the examination are carefully treated using our PowerFloat and other appropriate dental equipment.
5. Recovery
Your horse is monitored as the sedation wears off and you will be provided with any relevant aftercare instructions.
Equine Dental Examinations You Can Trust
Whether your horse needs a routine annual dental check, has developed signs of dental discomfort or requires more advanced dental treatment, the PEAK VETS team can help.
We offer equine dentistry at our clinic or on your property, providing professional veterinary dental care with a focus on safety, comfort and thorough examination.
Keep your horse comfortable, healthy and performing at their best with regular veterinary dental care.
📞 Contact PEAK VETS today to book your horse's dental examination.