Equine Holistic Dentistry
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(Horse NZ trade stand) |
(ASED NZ class 2005) |
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Shirley graduated from the American School of Equine Dentistry in May 1999.
Originally taught basic equine dentistry by her father in 1989 she has 20 years
of experience. She has been a member of the International
Association of Equine Dental Technicians (IAEDT). Shirley is an instructor for
the ASED.
Shirley travels regularly from Whangarei to Wairarapa and yearly to Southland.
I take a holistic approach to equine dentistry to do as much as is necessary to
bring the mouth into balance and smooth sharp edges without overdoing it. Most
of my work is carried out on unsedated horses with hand tools. Powertools are
used on sedated horses for advanced cases where hand tools are not sufficient to
complete the procedure, when hooks, ramps and protuberant teeth etc have grown
excessively long.
Having recently completed Equine Cranialsacral courses 3&4 which focussed on the
mandible, temporomandibular joint and head shaking, I am wanting to take an even
more holistic approach to equine dentistry.
(photo
courtesy of Bill Whitlock)
For the most part sharp points develop due to incorrect or reduced chewing
patterns which have resulted from:
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The use of a bit in the mouth
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The use of nosebands especially crank
nosebands
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Too much use of the hands by the rider
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Feeding the horse from a raised manger or
from haynets tied high
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Compression to the head from pullbacks,
falls, knocks to the head
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Invasive or rough equine dentistry or
overuse of power tools
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Horses prevented from grazing naturally
(stabled, fed 100% hay, yarded)
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Eating too much processed food, soft
grasses
By observing a horse chew grass and hay to
ascertain its range of motion and how much occlusion it has as well as palpation
of the head including the masseter and temporalis muscles, a horse can be
assessed as to whether cranialsacral therapy can improve the way it eats. By
increasing the range of motion of the jaw, the horse will be more able to ‘do
its own dentistry’ by keeping its own points worn naturally and thus reducing
the need for invasive dentistry. This will reduce the amount of compression on
the bones of the cranium.
The bones of the skull are designed to move within the joints which are called
sutures. Any compression through rough handling, dentistry, pulling back,
nosebands etc affect the cranial movement and not only create problems in the
head such as headaches, head shaking etc, but affect the whole body. The
mandible is the largest pattern setter in the body and affects the biomechanics
of the body with a flow on effect.
The majority of ridden horses have extremely tight masseter muscles and many
will have trouble chewing even after the teeth have been done. If your horse is
still underweight after dentistry then Cranial Therapy may be just what he needs
to restore his grind and allow him to utilise his food better. Cranial Therapy
is recommended after every dentistry session to reduce compression from the
procedure and also to help reset the jaw after realigning the teeth.
A Performance Float entails:
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Examination of the head and oral cavity using a fullmouth
speculum
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Leveling the arcades, reduction of ramps, hooks, waves
and transverse ridges to increase occlusion and lateral excursion
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Floating of points to eliminate lacerations to the cheeks
and tongue
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Addition of bitseats to increase bit comfort
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Reduction and realignment of incisors as needed.
All horses need regular dental attention. Horses should
first be examined at an early age to identify misalignments and then floated by
a dentist at approximately 2 years of age or before they are bitted. Ideally
horses under the age of 5 should be examined six monthly to check for correct
eruption of teeth and shedding of deciduous teeth (caps).
(Extreme Parrot Mouth)
Older horses can be
checked yearly but performance horses (racehorses, dressage, jumpers etc) should
be done six-monthly. Horses left until a problem arises may have already
developed a lasting bad-habit, remaining even after the teeth have been done,
due to memory of pain.
Prevention is the key to a happy mouth. A well maintained
mouth saves more in feed bills than the cost of the dental procedure!
Shirley is an instructor for the American School of Equine
Dentistry as well as the New Zealand Course Coordinator. As well as having
instructed on the New Zealand courses she is going to Wyoming in September
2005 to instruct at the Bitterroot Ranch course.
Shirley travels over most of the north island from
Whangarei to Wellington and occasionally to the South Island.
(Shirley instructing students, NZ class)
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(Hooks on a miniature) |
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(Dr Hyde assisting with a miniature) |
Miniature Horses
Shirley does many miniatures throughout the north island and has a range of
miniature dental equipment.
(Using powertools to correct the alignment of a dwarf
mini.
Assisted by Vet EqDT Saskia Knopjes.)
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Donkey at Southland RDA |
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Mini with Sow Mouth |
Shirley instructed for the ASED in
Wyoming in Sept/Oct 2005 at the Bitterroot Ranch
which is the home of Equitours.
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Even the Llamas
had their teeth done!
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Severe wry mouth
This horse was in great condition |
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Doing dentistry in the
snow
in Wyoming |
The Bitterroot Ranch
riding horses are kept in a heard of 150. A unique experience |
Contact Information
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Phone: 07 825-2991 CellPhone: 0274 905 582
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Postal address:
278 Gillard Rd, RD2 Ohaupo, 3882
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General Information:
equinebowen@xtra.co.nz
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Webmaster:
info@unicorn-web.co.nz -
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Photos Courtesy of:
Judy T Bracey 06 856 6617
Caldwell Rd R.D.2
Onga Onga C.H.B
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