Guess who got a fancy pedicure last week? Moto's feet had been looking a bit worse for the wear. Moto's hind shoes were removed in December when he started stall rest for his bowed tendon. He's more active now--plenty of walking and trotting. We have just a few weeks to go before he'll be cleared to canter. As a result of his increased activity but lack of shoes, his hind hooves had some unsightly cracks. I suspect that this caused his hoof abscess. (Thankfully, the abscess healed in just a few days.) Last Wednesday, the farrier neatly trimmed Moto's hooves and grooves and gave him four spiffy new shoes. We're one step closer to putting the six months of stall rest behind us.
Today Dr. Reese floated Moto's teeth, which is akin to annual routine dental work. Unlike human teeth, horse teeth continue to grow throughout the horse's life. Over time, the horse's teeth may develop sharp, painful edges that make eating difficult. During a dental float the vet sedates the horse and inserts a mouth speculum to keep the mouth open. The vet smooths the teeth with a file or similar tool. The process typically takes about 20 minutes and, because a horse's nerves end close to the gum line instead of inside the teeth, is not painful. Dr. Reese informed me that Moto had several teeth with sharp points, and he'll feel much better now that they're contoured.
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