How to Float Horse Teeth

A horse's teeth continue to grow throughout its lifetime. Horses enjoy grazing most of the day, which causing their teeth to wear down. Owners put metal bits in their horses' mouths for control while riding or driving their horses. Most horses chew on the bit, move it around with their tongues and try to sneak some grass to eat while bridled, as well. Other horse crib, or chew on nonfood items like wood, stones, trees, and plastic. All of these factors contribute to uneven wearing of the horse's teeth and can cause sharp edges, point, and spurs.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Mouth speculum
• Sedative (optional)
• Rasp or float
• Lead rope
• Halter
• Extra person (optional)
• bleach

1. 
   Look for uneven teeth

   Feel the molars in your horse's mouth. Do you feel any sharp points? These can cause pain while the horse is eating and wearing a bit. You can also tell if a horse's teeth need to be floated by some common signs. If the horse begins, shying away from or resisting the bit, it may be causing pain. Other signs include drizzling grain out of the mouth while eating, salivating excessively, losing weight for no other reason, or pieces of undigested corn in the manure.

2. 
   Sedate the horse

   Sedate the horse with a mild sedative if necessary. Some horses are so mellow that this step isn't necessary.

3. 
   Prepare the horse and tools

   Place a halter on the horse and attach a lead rope to it. Gather your tools and place them nearby in a bucket of water with a little bleach to disinfect them. An extra person may be helpful to keep the horse calm.

4. 
   Insert mouth speculum

   Insert the mouth speculum into the horse's mouth to hold the mouth open while you work. Adjust the leather straps to hold it in place.

5. Use the rasp or float to file off any sharp points or spurs. Rinse the rasp occasionally in your bucket to remove excess tooth particles. If the wolf teeth are large or coming into contact with the bit causing pain you should pull them while the mouth is open.

6. Remove the mouth speculum and disinfect it as well as your rasp or float. Repeat this process at least every two years, more often if you notice any of the signs given for painful teeth.

Tips & Warnings

• Power tools are available to make floating the teeth easier.
• Use caution with power tools, they can easily grind too much off making the teeth too smooth.
• Wolf teeth are usually fully visible by 18 months of age, if the horse is going to develop them.
• People usually remove wolf teeth, because their location can cause painful rubbing with the bit.
• Use new water and disinfectant for each horse.
• Do not file the teeth excessively. Teeth that are too smooth cannot properly grind up food for good digestion.
• If there are any accidental cuts or injuries you may need an antibiotic to prevent infection.

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