Episode

How Should Dentistry Be Performed In Horses? - The Horse's Advocate Podcast #157

Podcast
The Horse's Advocate Podcast
Published
Jan 21, 2026
Duration seconds
1996
Processing state
not_requested
Canonical source
https://thehorsesadvocate.libsyn.com/how-should-dentistry-be-performed-in-horses-the-horses-advocate-podcast-157
Audio
https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/thehorsesadvocate/PC157_How_Should_Dentistry_Be_Performed_In_Horses_AUDIO-1.mp3?dest-id=1330034
JSON
/v1/public/podcasts/the-horse-s-advocate-podcast-3416912/episodes/how-should-dentistry-be-performed-in-horses-the-horse-s-advocate-podcast-157
Markdown
/podcast/the-horse-s-advocate-podcast-3416912/how-should-dentistry-be-performed-in-horses-the-horse-s-advocate-podcast-157.md

Actions

  • POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-horse-s-advocate-podcast-3416912/episodes/how-should-dentistry-be-performed-in-horses-the-horse-s-advocate-podcast-157/transcription-requests
    Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode.
  • GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-horse-s-advocate-podcast-3416912/how-should-dentistry-be-performed-in-horses-the-horse-s-advocate-podcast-157.md
    Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource.

Summary

The debate over horse dentistry needs to be resolved before it escalates into an all-out war, leaving horses without the dental care they need. The two main issues fueling this conflict—hand floating versus power equipment, and the debate over whether only veterinarians or non-veterinarians should perform dental work—have been ongoing since the 1960s. I know this history well, as I began my own journey into equine dentistry in 1983. Like many forgotten histories, this discussion often pits people against one another without understanding past mistakes and solutions. Those involved focus solely on their own perspectives, turning the debate into a personal battle in which the horses are caught in the middle, suffering as their needs are misrepresented or ignored. As this conflict continues to play out on social media and in veterinary meetings, an increasing number of horse owners are opting not to have their horses' teeth cared for. Consequently, horses are left chewing in pain or struggling with the bit, only to see a dentist when the dental issues become severe, rather than receiving preventive maintenance. In this podcast, I will discuss this dilemma by examining the various schools of thought, which often rest on unproven theories and distorted facts. It's time for all parties to cease fighting and for veterinarians to expand their scope of care, offering more options for horse owners. By doing so, we can ensure that more horses receive the dental care they need, which is essential to Help Horses Thrive In A Human World™. ********** Community.TheHorsesAdvocate.com is a place to learn about horses, barns, and farms. Its information is free, and a membership option lets horse owners attend live meetings to ask questions and deepen their understanding of what they have…