I have been with my equine vet since we moved to Savannah.  When I was at the old barn, I set up my appointments on my own and made it my responsibility to find a reputable vet, rather than simply rely on what the BO suggested (because I questioned everything that came out of her mouth).

Prior to moving to Savannah, I only ever saw the vet when there was an emergency or a lameness issue.  It was a large barn and I would either get a bill or get notice.  I had no idea what Archie got or when.  As I changed vets, I actually had to contact the old vet to see what Archie was due for and when and get all of his rads and history sent to the new vet.  Normal stuff, but I had never done it for my horse before.

So it was a novel experience to have time to cut the shit with the vet when he came out to see Archie. We talked horses, people, veterinary medicine, small animal practices, and idiot owners.

The first or second visit, I had the vet float Archie's teeth.  He did it, but afterwards he gave me a bit of advice.  He said that, while every horse needs to have the teeth checked every six months, the concept that a float is necessary yearly is misinformation.

I told the BM the other day that I was dead set and determined that Archie would get his teeth floated yesterday at his visit.  Three years, too damn long, left me feeling incredibly anxious about the condition of his mouth and what the recent increase in contact felt like for him.

And the vet told me no.

I begged.  I pleaded.  I pointed out a superficial chip in one of his incisors.  And he still told me no.

And, insultingly, I asked if he were sure.  He told me that he had done 37 floats that week and that, yes, he was sure.

Nope, nope, nope.

Left thumb is actually on the chip.

In the rest of the visit, we talked about Archie's ringbone and recent eye inflammation.  He told me that we wouldn't need to repeat rads of those front ankles until probably 2016, as it takes a while to show bone changes.  Unless, of course, there was any front end lameness.  The vet also reminded me that the ringbone wasn't near the joint, that he felt it would never be near the joint, and that we really didn't need to worry about it too much.

Otherwise, we talked about how great the ponykins was doing:  trail rides and jumps and just still a perky fellow.

Shiny butt.