When our equine vet, Dr. Erin Taylor, came back today for the second round of dentals -- this time on the middle-aged set -- she brought with her Amy P., a fourth-year vet student from Oklahoma State University. Typically in their fourth year, vet students are expected to do an "externship" ... working outside the university setting at a vet clinic to get some real world experience. Erin's practice, Blue Mountain Veterinary Hospital, is one of those clinics that routinely hosts these vet students. (Not every clinic does.)
Amy, who will graduate from OSU's vet school next January, hasn't decided for sure which "track" -- small or large animal medicine -- she will pursue when she graduates, but she grew up with horses and was really enjoying her four weeks at Blue Mountain. She also likes doing equine dental work, so she did most of our horses today under Erin's supervision.
In the photo above, Amy is working on blind Lena. Erin had already informed Amy of my strongly held and often expressed view that Lena is the prettiest horse in the universe. Amy was quick to point out how beautiful Lena is, how gorgeous her coloring is, and how she is the perfect size for a horse. And when she finished with Lena's dental, Amy stepped back, admired her work, and said, "That's the most beautiful job I've ever done!"
Here's a shot from the other side of Amy working on Lena:
And finally, here's a close-up after Amy got done (yes, there are teeth in there, but Lena's pulled her cheeks in):
Right after I took that shot, Lena stuck her tongue all the way out and smeared the camera lens. I think she was trying to kiss me. Erin suggested that wasn't likely because she was still sedated. I'm not so sure.
I read Lena's story on the website and like so many of the animals at RDR it is such a sad one; to think that her owners unknowingly paid a trainer to destroy the sight of an otherwise perfectly healthy (and very beautiful)eight year old horse. Thankfully she is in a loving home now.
Posted by: Emily | May 10, 2008 at 10:41 AM
Lena is not only beautiful to look at but obviously beautifully behaved as well. Good girl Miss Lena!
Posted by: Lisa | May 09, 2008 at 03:51 PM
I am absolutely certain she was trying to kiss you, too, Steve!! Sedation, a dental drill, and a cold, metal speculum just doesn't affect those feelings.
So, not only is Lena the most beautiful horse in the universe, she, apparently, has the most beautiful teeth, too, thanks to the 4th-year vet.
That's terrific that Dr. Taylor supports externships; it always increases my opinion of a vet or a clinic.
Posted by: Janet in Cambridge | May 09, 2008 at 06:34 AM
To take pictures is human, to kiss, equine!
Posted by: Andrew, NZ | May 09, 2008 at 06:22 AM
Lena certainly is your special girl - and now she has beautiful teeth, as well! :)
Do you know how old Lena is?
Posted by: maggie | May 08, 2008 at 11:44 PM