tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113210295764288330.post3782591142031014844..comments2024-01-27T06:46:56.744-06:00Comments on Paradigm Farms Horse Retirement: Dental DayMelissa-ParadigmFarmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14274830693649851658noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113210295764288330.post-73377017187937654672016-03-23T05:27:39.952-05:002016-03-23T05:27:39.952-05:00I agree about the speculum - it's essential fo...I agree about the speculum - it's essential for getting to the back of the mouth, and also often/usually requires some sedation. I'm suspicious of power tools in the hands of folks who are either poorly trained (and this would apply to a lot of vets as their training rarely includes significant dental learning) or who are in a hurry to do as many horses as possible in as short a time as possible (usually to make as much money as possible).<br /><br />My guy also cares a lot about the condition/alignment of the incisors, and for that portion, he obviously can't use a speculum. He also doesn't use the pull-the-tongue out of the mouth technique - this is often used too casually by many, including some vets, and if done wrong can result in pain and nerve damage to the tongue. He just, rather elegantly, lays his hand across the "gap" in the teeth to keep the horse's mouth open and uses hand tools to adjust the incisors.<br /><br />Dawn has been "promoted" to the dental surgeons at this point due to her extreme dental issues - but then she's always been special . . .Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113210295764288330.post-31114338990550476892016-03-22T21:53:06.131-05:002016-03-22T21:53:06.131-05:00Our vet/dentist prefers us to haul in, and we just...Our vet/dentist prefers us to haul in, and we just finished two weeks of three-horse trips! I don't envy you your herd in this regard.EvenSonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02032555334605790413noreply@blogger.com