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Aging horses

Due to the constant eruption of molars throughout their lives, teeth in older horses become progressively shorter under the gum until they fall out altogether.  Loose teeth should be removed and sharp enamel points and hooks need to be floated.  Horses can thrive with very few teeth provided they are fed a suitable diet that enables them to assimilate their food more easily.  An equine dental technician's primary objective for the aged horse is to make it comfortable.

 

Equine Hero: Bucephalus

The horse famously known for being afraid of his own shadow, Bucephalus became Alexander the Great's victorious counterpart in numerous military campaigns.  Plutarch records that, as a boy, Alexander (having recognised the shadow as the source of the horse's fear) tamed the wild Bucephalus by turning his face towards the sun thus enabling him to mount the horse and ride him.  In doing so, Alexander demonstrated a courage, wisdom and ambition beyond his years prompting his father, King Philip II of Macedon, to exclaim "O my son, look thee out a kingdom equal to and worthy of thyself, for Macedonia is too little for thee."  Bucephalus eventually died at 30 years of age and the grieving Alexander commemorated his life by founding the city of Bucephala in his honour.

E-mail : donovan@equidontia.co.za | Cell : 072 545 7854