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Dentist does donkey work

Rebecca-with-Malcolm-&-Jo-Robert's-donkey

DOWN IN THE MOUTH: Equine dentist Rebecca Bush (left) checks the teeth of a Penrose Farm resident. Owners Malcolm 
and Jo Roberts help keep the unsedated patient calm!

By Julia West

A ‘doctor’ with a difference recently visited the Penrose donkey farm of Jo and Malcolm Roberts to check on the wellbeing of some of it’s older residents – quadrupeds, of course – and perform a little dentistry, an operation few of us think about in terms of animals.

Equine dentist Rebecca Bush was in Mangawhai providing dental care for local horses and donkeys.  

“Horses need dental treatment more than cats or dogs or even human beings because their teeth erupt continually over their lifespan,” she says. “Horses shed teeth three times between the ages of two and four years-old and need regular dental treatment. As they get older the grinding action of eating a lot of grass wears down their teeth and they need more care.”

Like many Kiwi children Rebecca always loved horses and begged her mother for a pony until finally her wish was granted. She then joined the local pony club and discovered the thrill of eventing. 

“As you probably know, horses are an addiction – once bitten with the horsey bug you’re hooked for life,” says Rebecca. 

After finishing her university studies in zoology Rebecca realized her work was taking her further away from her passion for horses, so she decided to re-train as an equine dentist.

Once a year Rebecca files and balances the mouths of donkeys and horses in the area. She checks for loose teeth and infections to make sure they get the best nutrition from their food. 

“It still amazes me that such a large, powerful animal will trust you enough to perform such intrusive procedures as filing down their teeth. You have to make sure you don’t lock them into uncomfortable positions where they can’t move as their natural instinct is to move away from anything scary.” 

Rebecca says as long as you treat horses with the right balance of respect and confidence, the majority are trusting.

“I prefer to work on horses unsedated because I find they are easier to work with. Sedated horses can be difficult to manage because their heads become very heavy. I also think it is better to be able to read a horse and work with it to get their teeth treated, no drama.”

Rebecca says retraining as an equine dentist was the best decision of her life.

“It’s a pleasure to wake up every day and know that I’m going to help a number of horses, in a big or small way, by making their lives easier and potentially longer. Seeing them from year to year and helping my clients get the best out of their horses’ performance or seeing a beloved old horse going from being a miserable bag of bones to a healthier, happier horse with the help of good dental treatment is so rewarding.”

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