It’s that time of year again and Advanced Equine Dentistry wants to reach out and remind all of our clients about the danger of compressed and bundled hay sources for equine teeth. If you’ve met us, you will have heard Rich review the physical reasons why horse’s teeth and jaw are not designed for “gnawing”……which is the specific action necessary for them to pull/pry hay from a compress block or tightly wrapped roll. Repeated gnawing damages their gums leading to cases of gingivitis and wears away the enamel on their teeth exposing the inner layers of the tooth to bacteria. BUT, we are Florida horse owners too and we know that large pasture blocks, round bales, and tightly packed hay nets are some of the ways owners combat the high cost of providing good nutrition and continuous grazing for their horses….especially during the winter months.
So, while we wish these feeding methods weren’t needed, what we really, really want horse owners to remember is how crucial it is that they remove all wires, strings, bindings, and wrapping from these hay sources. Each year we see near weekly oral injuries from hay sources resulting in foreign bodies lodged in the mouth, loose teeth, lost teeth, and broken mandibles. During the process of eating, the wires and strings easily get caught between horse’s teeth, wrap around horse’s teeth, slide under caps in young horses, and get twisted around the lower jaw. For the size of this animal, the jaw structure is not particularly strong and is quite narrow between the incisors and molars. With compressed hay weighing anywhere from 750-1500lbs, when the wires/strings are caught and the horse pulls back to try to free themself, the bones and teeth give way long before the binding breaks or the bale moves. The injuries take just moments; the damage can last forever! So, in order to avoid harm to your horses, please, please, please….remove all wires, strings, nets, and bindings from hay sources!!!!
Advanced Equine Dentistry Inc. 