Effect of dental floating on weight gain, body condition score, feed digestibility, and fecal particle size in pregnant mares.

The research investigates if dental floating – a routine veterinary practice for horses – has any significant impacts on weight gain, body condition, feed digestibility, and fecal particle size in pregnant mares. The results suggest dental floating does not produce significant short-term changes in these parameters, but more studies are required to determine its overall clinical usefulness.

Methodology

• Researchers conducted a randomized controlled clinical trial involving 56 pregnant mares.
• The mares were randomly divided into four groups of 14, each group given a different type of feed.
• Each mare underwent an oral examination while sedated. Then, dental floating was performed on seven mares from each group.
• Various measurements were taken at different times for 24 weeks post-dental floating, including body weight, body condition score, feed digestibility, and fecal particle size.

Results

• The analysis showed no significant differences between horses who received dental floating and the control group across all parameters (weight gain, body condition score, feed digestibility, and fecal particle size).
• Weight gain was notably associated with the type of feed, rather than the dental procedure.
• There was no significant relationship between the number or type of dental lesions observed during the initial oral examination and subsequent feed digestibility in the control group.

Conclusion

• The research concludes that dental floating does not lead to significant short-term changes in body weight, body condition score, feed digestibility, or fecal particle size in healthy pregnant mares.
• However, the study highlights that additional research is needed to fully comprehend the clinical value of routine dental floating in seemingly healthy horses.