Late last week our equine vet, Dr. Angela Langer, came out to do dental work on our horses. (Angela is a colleague of our primary equine vet, Dr. Erin Taylor, at Blue Mountain Veterinary Hospital in Missoula.) In these photos she is "floating," or filing down, sharp points on the teeth of blind Bo using her DeWalt "PowerFloat" equine dentistry tool. Assisting Angela is Amanda A., a visiting vet tech student from Chicago who is doing an internship at the clinic this summer. Just like people and animals like dogs, horses need regular dental exams and periodic work.
In this next photo, here's Angela's view of the procedure:
In the background is blind Rosie. Her ears are back because she doesn't like the sound of that power tool filing down Bo's teeth!
And if that photo wasn't a close-enough view for you, here's another:
Finally, here's a shot in which Bo looks like he's about to eat Angela's hand:
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I'm fascinated by this too. Does that not hurt a horse's tooth? I'm having flashbacks of that scene from Marathon Man!
Posted by: Lynne Parker | June 15, 2009 at 04:02 PM
What makes a horse just stand there and tolerate that? Do they have to be sedated a little? Do they simply trust that much? I'm completely fascinated by this procedure.
Posted by: Lynn | June 15, 2009 at 12:16 PM
Sorry Bo! NOBODY likes going to the dentist. Even a house call wouldn't help. (Although, I love my dentist and my hygienist, Elly, who is a RDR fan)
Posted by: Kelly Luchtman | June 15, 2009 at 12:01 PM
Wow...that's crazy. I can't believe they don't get skittuish at the noise--I have sighted animals that would have a freakout over that. Cool pics!
Posted by: megan | June 15, 2009 at 10:53 AM
I had a filling Friday so I have fresh memories of tools in my mouth too.
Looks like the horses handled their doctor visit better than I did! : )
Thank you Dr. Angela and Amanda; you did an excellent job!
Posted by: boundforglory | June 15, 2009 at 09:39 AM
Bo, I hope you got a Carrot or an Apple for being so great about getting your teeth worked on. Seems they should furnish some ear protectors before they crank one of those drills up, wouldn't you think? You're a brave guy!
Big hugs to all,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit
Posted by: ginger | June 15, 2009 at 08:31 AM
Yummy. There is nothing like the taste of DeWalt Power Tools in the morning.mmmmmmmm mmmmmmm good ;-}
Posted by: Ev | June 14, 2009 at 10:49 PM
How cool is that? Having been a dental patient (victim) recently myself, I can sympathize.
Posted by: Mick | June 14, 2009 at 08:03 PM
My ears go back too when I hear the sound of the dentist power tool! You take such good care of everyone! Kitties have to have regular dental visits too!
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | June 14, 2009 at 06:53 PM