Texas Equine Veterinary Association

www.texasequineva.com • Page 14 e DR R. CLAY STUBBS MEMORIAL LECTURES, sponsored by POWERFLOAT, were a highlight of this summer's symposium. Stubbs, of Johnson City, Texas, passed in November 2016 leaving a legacy as a well-respected veterinarian and premier equine dentist. His innovations included portable equine stocks and numerous equine dentistry tools, and he pioneered and taught many equine dentistry techniques. A tribute to his tremendous passion for his job, Stubbs worked on horses up until the day before his passing, It was fitting that renowned Kentucky veterinarian Dr. Jack Easley was the keynote speaker of these sessions on routine and advanced diagnostics and procedures concerning dental care of the horse. Famous for his expertise in equine dentistry, Easley has traveled worldwide teaching dental health care of the horse in addition to consulting at his equine practice. He serves on the Specialty Organizing Committee for the newly formed and only veterinary dentistry board designed for equine veterinarians. In addition to discussing advanced diagnostics, equipment and surgeries, some information offered included: • Dentistry in horses has historically consisted of "floating teeth" • Horses' dental development can relate to disease • Equine mouths are unique; ever-changing throughout life, adult's teeth continually erupting • Regular dental (with physical) examinations improves overall horse health • Detailed oral examination is most important consideration in dentistry/basis for all dental care • A standardized approach to taking and orienting dental radiographs is essential for practitioners • Criteria for advanced imaging of equine skulls includes advantages /disadvantages • e common forms of dental disease are developmental, periodontic, endodontic, and traumatic When discussing the geriatric horse Easley stated "ey're the fastest growing segment of the equine population today; many entering into a second and third career by the time they reach their mid-twenties. Age brings many unique factors to be considered when evaluating the mouth and providing dental care and/ or treatment." "Like so many other areas of veterinary medicine, equine dental care is rapidly advancing. We now understand so much more about how the health of the mouth affects equine behavior and correlates to other disease processes within the body." "is year's event kept with TEVA's mission; the horses of Texas and surrounding states will benefit greatly from this cutting- edge education" said TEVA President, Dr. Bo Brock of Lamesa, Texas. Brock added that this year's event was "a most wonderful educational experience; perhaps just happening in the hotel hallways between lectures when practitioners discuss amongst one another how to make horses happy." Equine veterinarians are lucky to have the resources from TEVA insofar as organization of help to horses in need and sharing information in the event of catastrophic events.

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