With a practice located in Lomita, CA, Dr. Larry Kelly specializes in advanced equine dentistry. Referred to the Center by our veterinarian, Dr. Richard Markell, twice each year Dr. Kelly donates an entire day to perform dental work on The Shea Center program horses.

During an exam, the doctor looks for problems such as broken teeth, badly shaped teeth, periodontal disease, uneven bite, excessive tartar, and metabolic diseases, which can cause problems like loose teeth.

Horses that spend their time in a pasture use the natural posture of “head down to the ground” to graze. That allows their teeth to align properly when they chew and prevents dental problems. Horses that stand in a stall and eat hay from a hay tub do not chew with the natural posture and are prone to teeth overgrowth and other dental problems. A horse’s teeth erupt until between the ages of 25-30 and need to be filed to achieve a flat grinding surface when they develop irregular shapes or points.

When examining and cleaning a horse’s teeth, the horse is placed in a mobile stock, lightly anesthetized, and a lightweight facial speculum is put in place to allow the mouth to remain open. The teeth are then floated, which means to contour them with a file called a “float.” The horse does not feel any discomfort during the procedure because its nerves end far from the gum line. Floating allows the horse to chew more effectively, perform more comfortably in the bridle, and stay healthier.

The Shea Center is extremely grateful to Dr. Kelly for the time he spends to make certain our program horses are in a comfortable and healthy condition.