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Kelly Everhart
Member
Username: Kelly81
Post Number: 2
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, Jun 24, 2004 - 2:46 pm: |   |
I recently bought a 5 year old registered Paint from a respected horse trainer in my community. As a colt, he managed to get himself hung between a metal gate and a wooden post and stayed there all night. He injured his jaw in the process and recovered for the most part. The man I bought him from didn't start riding him and training him until he was 2 or 3 years old just to make sure he had enough time to heal. The only remaining effects of that injury is a droopy right lip, he often sticks his tounge out of his mouth and keeps it there, he's constantly drooling, and he chews with his head turned to one side. He often gets grain and grass packed in his mouth on the side that the injury was on. My concern is for one, that he'll wear down the left side of his teeth since he primarily chews on that side without wearing the right side. I know that when horses chew their food and hold their head to one side that it means they're having pain while chewing. I've had horses about my whole life but I've never had one with such a problem. He's had regular vet checks and I am keeping the same vet that he's had his entire life. His teeth have be to floated about every six to eight months. If anyone has any comments or suggestions I would love to hear them.
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Sara Wolff
Member
Username: Mrose
Post Number: 281
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Thursday, Jun 24, 2004 - 10:11 pm: | |
It sounds to me like he has some nerve damage. We have a mare that was kicked in the head by one of her older foals. Initially, she couldn't even blink her eye on her left side. I tried to give her "therapy" by rubbing her face, moving her ears, walking her in small circles to the left, etc. It took several years, but she did gain almost full usage of the left side of her face. Her lip still droops some so she looks like someone whose had a stroke, but other than that, she's fine. I do soak her pellets as I'm concerned about choke, but she manages to graze and eat hay just fine and I've not had any problems with her. It's smart of you to get your guys teeth checked frequently. |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 10687
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Friday, Jun 25, 2004 - 7:40 am: | |
Sara is right on, your horse has both motor and sensory nerve damage to the left side of the face but you probably already know this. By this time it is unlikely there will be further improvement and you probably know this too.
One problem I have seen with horses that keep packed food in their cheeks is the rapid build up of plaque and wide spread dental caries. I would not use feed with molasses and even avoid grain based feeds substituting instead alfalfa pellet based concentrates.
DrO |
Kelly Everhart
Member
Username: Kelly81
Post Number: 3
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Friday, Jun 25, 2004 - 10:24 am: | |
Thanks for the responses and tips. I thought that he might have some nerve damage. When he eats his ears will twitch and his eye will spasm on the affected side. I just don't want him hurting or being in pain while eating. I'm gonna have his vet come out and explain everything to me so I can help him however I can. Thanks again for your help. |
