Traditional Equine Dentistry
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Training
My name is Brian Stuart and this is how I came to be a lay dentist.  I grew up around horses and after high school I worked for several years at an assortment of show stables and breeding farms.  Handling a wide variety of horses in different situations taught me many of the basic skills I would need as a lay dentist.
Variety of angles allows for area specific work.
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Each float has its purpose.
In 1984 while working at a showstable our vet suggested that I contact Bob Simard as he was looking for an apprentice to train. At that time Bob was the premier lay dentist in the northeast and perhaps the country . He traveled all around the country  floating teeth.  I called Bob and he agreed to let me have a try.  After some "classroom" training,  we began to travel together to the local barns.  At first I would just watch and hand Bob his tools.  Bob would let me do a little floating on some horses, but he would always finish them. After a couple of  weeks it was time to attempt a solo floating .  Bob would watch and  then check my progress. When he felt I was ready,  he began leaving me alone to work while he would be in the next stall floating another horse.    My skills improved rapidly over the first two years . After five years I felt my work could hold its own against anyone's.  With Bob's help,  I struck out on my own in 1998.
In 1998 lay dentists won the right to float teeth in Connecticut. No certification or licensing is necessary.  In many other states we work with the blessings of vets,  but have no state recognized status.  Since 1998,  my clientele has grown to include all varities of horses.  From "pasture potatoes" to Olympic hopefuls, my clients do it all.  I have a core clientele who call biannually or annually in addition to the constant new faces who come and go. 
Tools of the trade, no outlets needed !
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Replace those files every few days !
These tools allow me to negotiate all the nooks and crannies of a horse's mouth.  The tool all the way on the left is quite heavy ( almost 3 pounds ) and with a solid carbide float blade takes down overgrown upper second premolars with relative ease.  The other tools all have carbide chip float blades and an assortment of angles to reach all areas of the mouth. The tool in front of the speculum is an S float which allows the finishing touches to be applied to the second premolars for a very smooth and comfortable bit seat.  Of course the speculum is in the backround.  The back of the mouth can't be properly addressed without its use.

Ct. Governor Roland making lay dentists official
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That's me on the right.

A STROKE OF THE PEN !

Meeting the Governor !

In 1998 Connecticut Governor John Roland signed into law a change to the Veterinary License.  The amendment to the license stated that the floating of horses teeth will be deemed a non veterinary procedure.   

There are no shortcuts to good equine dentistry.  The horsemanship skills take a lifetime to develop. These skills also provide great joy as you become "friends" with many of your patients.  The level of relaxation many horses experience during their floating must be seen to be believed.  Some look as though they are falling asleep. Remember, they are experiencing pain relief and their demeanor often shows it.  This is done without drugs.  Of course some patients need a dentist who is light on his toes to keep up, and that's fine as well.  Those skills also improve over time. The good equine dentist must also know when it becomes impossible to do a good, safe job at which point a vet should administer drugs. 

A Typical Day