Forewords From Equine Veterinary Dental, Medical, and Surgical Specialists…

“This new book for horse owners describes in an eminently readable format the complete topic of equine dentistry. It details the different range of personnel who perform equine dentistry and clarifies the training and knowledge of these different groups, from the untrained lay person up to the highest level, i.e. equine veterinary dental specialists who have passed post-graduate professional examinations in this subject.

The book describes equine dental anatomy, physiology, the different dental examination techniques and the very wide range of dental diseases that horses suffer from. It also notes that dental diseases may cause greatly different problems, from subtle behavioural changes that owners may not instantly recognise, up to severe infections of teeth and their supporting bones. The different range of treatments for these disorders and who should perform them are set out clearly. This text will be a very useful addition to horse owners.”      

—Professor Padraic M. Dixon, MVB, PhD, FRCVS, Diploma EVDC (Equine), RCVS Specialist in Equine Surgery (Soft Tissue), European Specialist in Equine Dentistry

“In my forty-seven years as a veterinarian, I have been fortunate to see a great number of innovations benefitting the health and welfare of horses. From modern imaging techniques such as MRI to unlocking the metabolic cause of laminitis, the whole practice of equine medicine has moved light years ahead in past decades. However, as a technologic advancement that affects the everyday life of our horses, mules, and donkeys perhaps the most cosmic change has been in the field of dentistry. New science, technology, and techniques have brought the treatment of the equine tooth from the days of a box of rusting “floats”, into a universe of possibilities that will make horses live longer, better lives. There are plenty of textbooks, scientific publications, and continuing education courses for the veterinary professional interested in dentistry. However, these often leave the person who knows and cares the most about their horse, the owner, in the dark. What is needed today is a good text that lays out the anatomy, physiology, and clinical techniques for the horse owning public, in an understandable and readable style. I have often advocated for a well-illustrated book, written by a knowledgeable professional, whose only motivation is to educate.[read more]Today’s owner wants to know the details so that they can talk to their veterinarian, and understand not only treatment options, but disease prevention. This is especially true in a time when uncurated information, produced by those with something to sell, is flooding the internet and social media. Fortunately, a wonderful young veterinarian, Dr. Elizabeth Anne Thompson, who has all the credentials and writing skills, has come to the rescue and produced this excellent, owner friendly, dentistry text. Besides being a long-time horseperson and veterinarian, Lizzi has made an assiduous study of the field and become a sought-after equine dental practitioner and teacher. She currently serves as the President of the Dentistry Chapter of the ANZCVS and as an NZEVA Dental Subcommittee member. Besides this, she has also engineered and produced a very useful and humane equine dental stocks, which provides both horse and human safety, while minimizing mental trauma to the equine patient. Every horse owner should have a copy of this book. All horses have teeth, and we want them all to be healthy and content. Educating yourself with Dr. Thompson’s book will be an important step in achieving this for the horses that you love.”[/read]

—Eric W. Davis DVM, MS, DipACVS, DipACVIM, Davis, CA, USA

“In “Modern Equine Dentistry for Horse Owners,” Dr. Liz Thompson delivers a valuable guide for anyone devoted to the health and care of horses. Equine dentistry has undergone a worldwide revolution in the last two decades, with an explosion of research, new knowledge and innovative diagnostic techniques and treatments. This progress has empowered veterinarians with a deep-seated passion for equine dentistry – affectionately known as ‘equine dental nerds’ – to enhance our expertise and be better equipped to care for our patients. After all, the love of the horse is why many of us choose our profession.

Dr. Thompson’s clear, engaging explanations make complex topics accessible and easily understood, without oversimplifying the science. You almost feel that you are both sitting by a cosy fire, glass of wine in hand, while you are taken on a captivated adventure of the horse’s mouth. Dr Thompson’s prowess as a highly successful published author is evident in her penmanship of this book, with the high degree of ‘readability’ enabling anyone who can read to educate themselves! Her book fills a crucial gap in contemporary literature, providing insights into the proper diagnosis, treatment, and maintenance of equine dental health for horse owners, veterinary students, and veterinarians.

Congratulations Dr. Thompson for crafting such an informative and accessible resource for all horse lovers and professionals alike. To the readers of this book – enjoy the enlightening journey through equine dentistry!”

—Dr Olivia James, BVSc(Hons) MANZCVS(Eq Dentistry), CMAVA, DipICEVO, DAVDC(Equine), Board Certified Veterinary Dentist™, Diplomate of the American Veterinary Dental College Equine Specialty

“Equine dentistry has undergone something of a revolution in veterinary care in the past twenty years. Horses owners are more aware than ever that their animals need regular dental care. However, with a large number of providers offering these services, it can be almost impossible to ascertain the standard of work being performed in an area of anatomy that is hard to visualise. Added to this mix are a large number of theories on equine dentistry which hold little truth when subjected to scientific rigour, leaving owners confused about where to turn and what to expect when their four-legged friend needs their teeth looked at.

Modern Equine Dentistry for Horse Owners sets out all the key information they need to know about the dental care their horse needs. Dr Thompson, one of many veterinary surgeons who have pushed equine dentistry to the forefront across the globe in recent years, has set out a comprehensive text which informs and educates horse owners on the standards to expect in modern dental care, as well as some of the problems we can encounter in the mouths of horses. The text not only serves this purpose, it can also be considered a useful resource for all veterinary surgeons undertaking equine dentistry – a reminder of what modern equine dentistry really entails!”

—Rob Pascoe BVSc F/NCED DipAVDC-Eq MRCVS, Fellow Nordic College of Equine Dentistry, RCVS/American Specialist in Equine Veterinary Dentistry, Kent, UK

“Everything starts with education. As a horse owner, it is important to know what to do and what to have done to keep your horse in optimal health. That’s why these type of books are so important!

In equine dentistry, common misconception exists about horses ‘needing to have their teeth done’ (read: need to have their teeth floated) once a year. However, this type of mindset belongs to the past when only limited knowledge was available. Current extensively available scientific literature shows the great value of a yearly dental check in every horse. And that’s what it’s about in equine dentistry! I would say dig in, read, educate yourself and you will soon understand what I mean! I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did! Kudos Dr. Thompson!”

—Dr Elke Pollaris, MSc, PhD, Diplomate EVDC (Equine)

“Excellent information to get a detailed overview of the different aspects of equine dentistry! I am convinced that this comprehensive client education book will bring the dental care and well-being of horses up to date with current research and understanding today. Through the described details and hints herein, the knowledge gained by horse owners will progressively improve the understanding of the chewing system in equidae, and also increase the expectations of veterinarians for the practice of evidence-based dentistry.”

—Dr Manfred Stoll, Fellow of the Nordic College of Equine Dentistry, Diplomate of the European Veterinary Dental College, Specialist Veterinarian in Equine Dentistry LTK Hessen (Germany), Teaching Faculty Equine Dentistry LTK Hessen

“Horses’ teeth haven’t evolved in our lifetime, but how amazing is it to see such a wide development in the diagnosis and treatment options available. In my short lifetime I have seen this area booming. Once a black box, now a well lit space. The horse’s mouth keeps fascinating me and many others, and it was time someone took up the task  to write an understandable, informative text to share all the current knowledge available on the topic. Great work, Dr Thompson. To the reader, I hope you will be as fascinated as I am about equine dentistry and agree with me at the end. Your horse’s teeth are his capital of life, its pension, its superannuation. Don’t attack (read rasp) it without proper indication. Have a great read.”

—Professor Dr. Denis Verwilghen, DVM, MSc, PhD, DES, Diplomate of the European Veterinary Dental College Diplomate EVDC (Equine), MRCVS, Australia

“Liz Thompson has done a wonderful job with this masterpiece bringing the immense amount of information available down to a very readable edition suitable for the advanced to the beginner in the realm of equine dentistry. Her explanations allow the reader to follow the information without being overwhelmed. This book has filled an obvious void in the available literature and is a welcome addition to any library for all those involved with horses.”

—Professor Gary Wilson, Registered Specialist in Equine Dentistry: BVSc, MVSc, MACVSc (Veterinary Dentistry), Diplomate ICEVO, FAVA, Cert Teach, Founding Diplomate of the American Veterinary Dental College Equine Specialty

Reviews From Equine Veterinarians…

5.0 out of 5 stars An essential guide for anyone passionate about equine dental health!

“In “Modern Equine Dentistry for Horse Owners,” Dr. Liz Thompson offers an essential guide for anyone passionate about the fascinating world of equine dental health. Dr. Thompson, already a highly successful author, showcases her expertise with a publication that’s as informative as it is readable, making complex concepts accessible to all. Whether you’re a horse owner, veterinary student, or simply devoted to your beloved horses this text fills a vital gap in current literature, offering easy-to-understand education into veterinary equine dentistry.
The past two decades have seen a revolution in equine dentistry, with groundbreaking research, advanced knowledge, and innovative techniques transforming the field. This progress has empowered a group of dedicated veterinarians—often dubbed ‘equine dental nerds’—to elevate their expertise and provide better care for their patients. Dr. Thompson’s engaging, clear explanations bring these developments to life, making even the most intricate topics easy to understand without losing the depth of the science.You almost feel that you are both sitting by a cosy fire, glass of wine in hand, as Dr. Thompson guides you through the nuances of equine dentistry. Congratulations to Dr. Thompson for creating such a valuable, accessible resource for horse lovers and professionals alike.
To all readers, enjoy this enlightening journey through the world of equine dentistry!”

—Dr Olivia James on Amazon.com.AU

“A comprehensive book with lots of photos and diagrams which will help horse owners wanting to learn more about equine dentistry and what normal and abnormal things may be going on inside a horse’s mouth. Dr Thompson writes with an easy, conversational style.  Anyone wanting to better understand modern horse dentistry in the 21st century will find this easy to read and a useful resource.”

—Dr Celia Grant, Equine Dental Veterinarian, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

5.0 out of 5 stars One Large Step for Equine Dentistry

My experience of equine dentistry began as a new graduate in a mixed animal practice back in Scotland. Once a year people would get the vet out to jab their horse with a flu vaccine and have them “rattle ‘round” a neolithic, WWI-era hand rasp in their horse’s mouth. No questions were asked and the vet would jump back in their car and return a year later to repeat. I quickly realised that the understanding of dentistry in both horse owners and vets was generally limited, and sometimes non-existent. Educating vets as to how to methodically approach a dental examination has improved, even in the past few years. University teaching and further understanding and classification of the symptoms of dental disease in horses has progressed dramatically, which has improved dental capability for veterinary professionals. However, my personal experience from talking to horse owners has revealed that, to the majority of owners, the horse’s mouth is still a black box. Educating owners in a way that avoids the clunky medical jargon used by veterinary and other dentistry professionals is a mammoth undertaking. I feel Dr Thompson has achieved this splendidly in her book. It is an enjoyable, informative read that’s been given personal and relatable touches by the author’s references to her own experiences as a dental veterinarian.

It is a fun contrast to your bog-standard textbook! The clever use of images and diagrams will allow horse owners to engage with the topics she introduces, reinforcing their understanding. The anatomical descriptions of the horse’s mouth and how the teeth develop over time are particularly superb. By methodically explaining the different stages of a dental examination, the owner and vet can engage in meaningful discussion and ensure we are achieving the best welfare for our beloved equines. I would highly recommend this book to any horse owner and also to young vets starting out on their equine dental journey.

—Dr James Cameron on Amazon.co.UK

5.0 out of 5 stars Very informative book

This is a fantastic book, really informative and a must have for horse owners. Lots of great pictures too.

—Dr Georgia Beasley on Amazon.com.UK

Reviews From Owners…

 

“Though lacking in any formal veterinary training, I am a life-long owner and breeder of American Quarter Horses. I marvel and appreciate the world of information Dr Thompson has laid out in Modern Equine Dentistry in a clear format, understandable to the average horse owner. I have known Liz for a number of years and can attest to the thoroughness of her research and attention to detail. Both we and our equine friends are greatly benefited.”

—Patrick Hearty, National Pony Express Association, Grantsville, Utah, USA

 

“Do you want to do better for your horses? Then this is a must read. Lizzi has compiled a book of technical, yet easy to understand information, all about your horse’s mouth. This book has helped create a standard of dental care for horses, that owners can try to uphold (without a need to try look inside the mouth themselves!). It explains the signs you can look for that your horse is in pain, signs that your dentist knows what they’re doing (very important!), and just in general what goes on in the horse’s mouth.”

—Tyla Remkes, Palmerston North, New Zealand

 

“Oh, how I wish I’d had this book when I owned horses years ago – I’m sure I could have spared them a deal of discomfort, if not pain.  I’ve often watched the author at work and been amazed at what equine dental care involves. This is one of those books that should be on every horse owner’s bookshelf, if not kept to hand in the stable – you’ll be so well informed and determined to pay your horses’ mouths the care and professionalism they deserve. A quick rasp is not enough! This book has been a labour of love, inspired by the desire to see horses comfortable and healthy in their mouths.”

—Joan, Auckland, New Zealand

 

“Liz, I commend you for taking your time to write such an amazing and descriptive book on horses’ teeth.  I can honestly say, I have never seen a book so descriptive and images showing the issues at hand.  This is a MUST read for every horse owner regardless of one’s level of expertise.  In my opinion, whether one has little to years of experience with horses, a book like this will be invaluable.  I thank you Liz for taking the time to write such a book.”

—Kathleen Sutton, Te Puke, New Zealand