Here is a small collection of the wonderful things some of my clients have written and said recently:

"I have had full-sized horses most of my life, and for the past few years, I have also trained and shown miniature horses. I have learned that minis have unique dental problems, stemming from the fact that their teeth are the same size as the teeth in full-sized horses -- this leads to a multitude of crowding issues.

Upon the recommendation of my veterinarian, I first had Meredith come to my barn to look at a four-year-old mare with swellings on both sides of her face. The horse was in obvious pain when those "bumps" were touched and they weren't showing any signs of disappearing. She was also chewing with difficulty and eating slowly.

Meredith examined her teeth, then discussed her evaluation with my vet and me. With a plan in mind, she went right to work, doing several procedures to correct the crowding of her molars and relieve the pressure where the roots were pushing up into her face. That night, the mare was obviously more comfortable and ate her food more aggressively. Within days, the swellings were going away.

My minis are show horses, and I was perplexed by the subtle, quirky behavior in some of them when they were pulling carts. One mare traveled like she was almost "off" in her hindquarters and braced her head and neck to one side, leading a few of us to believe she may have sustained some sort of injury. A young gelding would mysteriously bounce his head upward, just slightly, about every fourth or fifth stride at the trot, and yet another horse seemed to have trouble flexing at the poll and staying on the bit.

Sometimes these types of problems can be quite frustrating to solve, and can often seem like they originate in the body or limbs, rather than inside the mouth. They can also be construed as training issues, foot imbalances, ill-fitting saddles or bridles, or other equipment challenges, such as the adjustment of driving harnesses.

I decided to have Meredith come back and look at the horses showing these quirky behaviors, and I was surprised at all the problems she found! Following some corrections in alignment and other dental "tune-ups", I was amazed at how the various issues seemed to just disappear. Even the mare straightened up and started traveling correctly.

I have always had my horses' teeth floated on a regular basis, but I just recently realized how important it is to also go beyond routine maintenance. The teeth of a horse never stop growing, and if they aren't aligned correctly or present even the slightest comfort issues, the horse can't be relaxed and happy or perform well. Seeing is believing, and I believe.

Most veterinarians are not trained to a great extent in equine dentistry, which is a complete science in itself. Meredith is certified by the International Association of Equine Dentistry and frequently attends conferences and seminars in order to stay on the cutting edge of her science. After watching her work on my horses, I have developed confidence in her skill and a deep appreciation for her knowledge and dedication.

Skye Weber, Heron Point Farm

National Champion and Hall of Fame Miniature Horses"

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"I've had him a week and yesterday he whinnied at me for the first time :) and i know its because he's feeling good!....sooo thankful we scheduled you to come out!!"- Blair Waldrop

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"You guys were wonderful, very caring with my big pasture pet :)"- Nancy Derby

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