MSU Tollgate Farm 4-H Vet Science Adventure Guide

Horsin’ Around: Horse Day

Tuesday, we’ll explore horses and ponies at virtual vet science camp. We meet veterinarian Dr. Hillary Lobar as she introduces us to the horse, equine comparative anatomy, equine dental care, the use of x-rays, and her work as a veterinarian.

Horse Breeds

The following presentations on horse breeds and the 5 Freedoms were completed by virtual Tollgate vet science students. Check them out!

1 pm Class Horse Breeds Presentation

3:30 pm Class Horse Breeds Presentation

Horse Vet Visits Tollgate Virtual Vet Science Campers Summer 2020

Meet Our Tollgate Farm Ponies

How tall is a horse? How about a pony? How tall are you? The height of a horse is measured in ‘hands’. A ‘hand’ is 4 inches, the measurement taken from the width of an average size man’s hand. Take a ruler and measure 4 inches. Trace your hand on a piece of paper and measure its width.

Meet Hillary Lobar, DVM

Dr. Hillary Lobar, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, often cares for our animals at Tollgate. Recently, she came to care for one of our pony’s teeth, and you can take a brief peek below at the procedure. Dr. Lobar shared her biography so that we can learn more about how she became a vet.

How long have you been practicing vet med? I graduated from North Carolina State University in 2013. After working in both private practice and academia, I started my own practice in 2016 after my family moved to Michigan.

What inspired you to become a vet? I wanted a job with animals ever since I was a little kid, but I also realized I wanted a job where I could use my brain and keep learning throughout my life.

Degrees earned? Specialties? I have my DVM, as well as a BS in Animal Science.

Favorite part of your job? I love my clients. Helping people help their animals is so rewarding. I also find internal medicine cases very interesting, especially gastrointestinal and metabolic diseases, as well as geriatric medicine. Of course, baby season for my small ruminant patients is also a highlight!

Favorite animal (this could be a breed or species): Horses are my first love—especially quarter horses, thoroughbreds, and standardbreds, but goats are such lovely creatures. There is nothing cuter than a Nigerian dwarf goat!

Your dream for the future? I am so excited to see hobby farms popping up everywhere and renewed interest in producing food in sustainable ways. Animal agriculture gets such a bad name. When the public begins to engage with farmers and animals, though, there is so much room for learning and understanding. On a personal side, I want to be the best mom I can be. I also hope to own an OTTB someday and show it in eventing!

Equine Dental Care at Tollgate Farm: Floating Friday’s Teeth

Dr. Hillary Lobar, DVM
Huron River Equine Veterinary Services,

Dental care may not be the first thing on your mind when you are planning veterinary checkups for your horse, but a healthy mouth is essential for the animal’s comfort and well-being. A good schedule for proper teeth floating should be part of any equine wellness plan. Below is a description of floating a horse’s teeth from Red Barn Feed and Supply.

What Is Floating a Horse’s Teeth?

Floating a horse’s teeth is the process of gently filing away sharp edges or hooks to present a firm, flat surface for more efficient chewing. The small file or rasp used to do this is called a float, which gives the process its name. Floats can vary in shape from small rectangles or ovals to cylindrical shapes, and may have straight or bent heads to more easily and comfortably reach back teeth.

Floats may be manual or driven by electricity or an air compressor, and an experienced equine dentist will have a variety of tools to choose from to suit each animal’s needs and personality. Dental wedges or speculums may be used to hold the horse’s mouth open comfortably and reduce the risk of bites, and different halters, blindfolds, harnesses, or restraints may also be used if necessary. Some veterinarians may also choose to lightly sedate a horse before working on its teeth, if the animal’s personality could cause difficulties.

If properly done, floating should take no more than a few minutes unless the horse presents unique challenges in either dentistry or temperament. Because the teeth have no nerve endings, floating should cause no pain or discomfort to the animal unless there are other dental concerns, such as mouth injuries or gum disease that can lead to greater mouth sensitivity.

Why Floating Is Necessary

Horses must chew their food well for the best digestion. Food that is not ground up well will not be digested properly and nutrients will not be absorbed as efficiently, which could cause malnutrition, weight loss, or other health problems. Because a horse’s upper jaw is naturally wider than its lower jaw, teeth will wear unevenly, leaving sharp edges, ridges, or hooks against the cheek and tongue. This can cause cuts or sores to sensitive tissue, and those injuries can easily become infected, leading to greater health issues.

When to Have Your Horse’s Teeth Floated

If a horse’s teeth are in bad shape, the animal will show signs that floating may be needed, such as…

Dropping food or general reluctance to eat
Difficulty chewing or shifting food to one side of the mouth
Bloody saliva or excessive mouth foaming
Appetite loss or weight loss
Swollen facial tissues, especially in the cheeks
Foul breath

Even if a horse shows no signs that its teeth may need floating, it is important to have a dental exam at least once a year to check for any developing problems. Different factors can influence how frequently any horses’ teeth may need to be floated, including…