Painted Hand Farm is a 20 acre Civil War era farm located in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania. We raise meat goats, veal calves, turkeys and organic vegetables using humane and sustainable agricultural practices.
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Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Teeth Time
Yes, horses go to the dentist, too. Or should I say the dentist comes to the farm? Miss Bango turned twenty this year and part of keeping a senior horse healthy is preventative dental care. Horses develop sharp edges on their molars causing them to eat less and become poor in health. Since I want my red mare around for the next twenty years, she gets a checkup, vaccinated and dental work done each spring. She had some really sharp points on her molars this year so Dr. Lartz used something that looked like a big Dremel tool. As laid-back & bomb-proof as Ms. Bang is, she'd never stand for that contraption buzzing around inside her mouth so he gave her a little something to take the edge off. Her lower lip is still droopy.
We gave the vet quite a workout this morning. In addition to the equine care, he also had to de-horn three goats, castrate two bulls, preg-check a heifer (bred!) and give the dogs their rabies vaccinations. I'll spare you those images.
I know I'd want a little something to take the edge off too if my dentist fit me with a speculum like they use on horses. We always do our own castration and dehorning, do you HAVE to a a vet do it (some places do) or just prefer to use him?
Sandra is a witty writer, farmer and damn good cook who has been slicing her finger open on the cutting edge of the sustainable agriculture and local foods movements for the last twenty five years. Her books, How to Sell At Farmers Market and How To Kiss A Chicken On The Lips will be published in Spring 2013.
I know I'd want a little something to take the edge off too if my dentist fit me with a speculum like they use on horses. We always do our own castration and dehorning, do you HAVE to a a vet do it (some places do) or just prefer to use him?
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