How to Float Horse Teeth

A horse's teeth continue to grow throughout its lifetime. Horses enjoy grazing most of the day, which causing their teeth to wear down. Owners put metal bits in their horses' mouths for control while riding or driving their horses. Most horses chew on the bit, move it around with their tongues and try to sneak some grass to eat while bridled, as well. Other horse crib, or chew on nonfood items like wood, stones, trees, and plastic. All of these factors contribute to uneven wearing of the horse's teeth and can cause sharp edges, point, and spurs.

Things You'll Need

  • Mouth speculum
  • Sedative (optional)
  • Rasp or float
  • Lead rope
  • Halter
  • Extra person (optional)
  • bleach
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Instructions

    • 1

      Feel the molars in your horse's mouth. Do you feel any sharp points? These can cause pain while the horse is eating and wearing a bit. You can also tell if a horse's teeth need to be floated by some common signs. If the horse begins, shying away from or resisting the bit, it may be causing pain. Other signs include drizzling grain out of the mouth while eating, salivating excessively, losing weight for no other reason, or pieces of undigested corn in the manure.

    • 2

      Sedate the horse with a mild sedative if necessary. Some horses are so mellow that this step isn't necessary.

    • 3

      Place a halter on the horse and attach a lead rope to it. Gather your tools and place them nearby in a bucket of water with a little bleach to disinfect them. An extra person may be helpful to keep the horse calm.

    • 4

      Insert the mouth speculum into the horse's mouth to hold the mouth open while you work. Adjust the leather straps to hold it in place.

    • 5

      Use the rasp or float to file off any sharp points or spurs. Rinse the rasp occasionally in your bucket to remove excess tooth particles. If the wolf teeth are large or coming into contact with the bit causing pain you should pull them while the mouth is open.

    • 6

      Remove the mouth speculum and disinfect it as well as your rasp or float. Repeat this process at least every two years, more often if you notice any of the signs given for painful teeth.