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MYTHS AND FACTS
 
 

Normally this Myths and Facts page is changed every month.
This time, it will remain for two months to reach as many viewers as possible.
It will remain for both April and May/2008
Thank You.
 
PARROT MOUTH IN HORSES
 
The following photos are taken from two foals of the same age from the same pasture in the same year.  The difference is:  Although both foals are registered AQHA (American Quarter Horses), they are not related in any way, shape or form.  NOTE:  Now being seen far to often in the Quarter Horse Breed, it may also be found in other breeds or Cross Breeds as well.
 
The first foal has a normal bite in the pictures below.  The second foal has a Severe "Overbite" or better known in horse terms as a PARROT MOUTH.
 
Away to often, people think or say:  "Well I didn't know or couldn't tell the foal had an Overbite so I am still breeding my mare and/or stallion" .....................  Yes, of course, taking a look at the teeth themselves is the best way to tell, but as a horsewoman for many, many years, I can tell an Overbite or PARROT MOUTH in any horse of any age without actually viewing the teeth.
 
When that TOP LIP is over hanging the BOTTOM LIP by even a little bit, (while the horse is just standing there with no mental stress happening) in it's life, I will bet you that when you do catch the horse and check it's teeth...................your going to find a PARROT MOUTH of some degree!!!
 
And this is "Hereditary/Congenital".  That is correct!!!  So if you are a GOOD horseman or woman, why would you continue to breed your stallion/mare knowing you may produce a life threatening DEFECT???  A defect also that means the horse cannot even carry a bit correctly in it's mouth???  I guess for the MONEY in many cases.............................. so much for the "I only breed and raise the best foals speech given to people".  Or my favourite thing said to me by one person who knows her stallion has thrown PARROT MOUTH:  Well, only in a few, most are good foals .................................. So much for the foals who suffer and the people who buy such foals/horses.  So much for them.
 
THE NORMAL FOAL
SEVERE PARROT MOUTH
(this foal was "Euthanized" at 6 months old)
She could not have survived. She would have eventually starved regardless of feed type
as she continued to mature since even her Molar teeth were also not aligned
not just her front Incisor teeth.
 
NOTE:  The owner of this foal still continues to breed her mare/stallion though???
Registered AQHA foals.  Because not all of them will have it, she doesn't care???
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To see actual teeth pictures for further Education, simply look up PARROT MOUTH on your computer.  Or contact the AQHA (American Quarter Horse Association) for more information on how they feel about breeding horses that carry this Genetic Trait.
This document was prepared to show you that you can tell a PARROT MOUTH without examining the teeth.
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Horses With Jaw Deformities 

There are two conditions affecting the teeth and mouth of horses that are of great importance and MUST NOT be over looked.  Number one is an “Overshot Jaw” or better known as a “Parrot Mouth”.  This is where the teeth of the upper jaw protrude in front of the teeth of the lower jaw.  This is a Hereditary/Congenital defect and such horses must not be used for breeding.  It is considered an unsoundness. 

This is a serious deformity and in some cases, so severe that the horse has difficulty feeding and in fact may not be able to graze sufficiently to survive.  A horse uses his front Incisors to nip the grass off and with the Incisors not being aligned he simply cannot eat.  Such horses are also prone to Colic because of improperly chewed food before swallowing.   

Bridling such a horse is often impossible for the bit to rest comfortably in the horse’s mouth, resulting in the horse fighting the bit and thus unable to be trained decently and kindly.   

It is also impossible to tell the age of the horse since the teeth do not wear down in a normal pattern for ascertaining the age through examination of the Incisors.

Also  a horse dentist must continually float such as horse’s teeth if it is to have any kind of normal teeth wear what so ever. In severe cases, an attempt may be made to cause the bottom jaw to extend through Surgical Intervention.  This has yet to be proven to work.  Euthanasia is recommended for horses with severe Parrot Mouth.

Number two and although not seen as often as the dreaded “Parrot Mouth” is just as bad and is called an “Undershot Jaw”. This is where the teeth of the lower jaw protrude in front of the teeth of the upper jaw.  All of the above applies to this type of jaw deformity also. 

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Starting first of June/2008

this website will be teaching

HOW TO TELL THE AGE OF AN ADULT DOG
from photos of Adult dogs teeth
Thank You
 
 
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