SmartPak’s Ask the Vet – Anhidrosis, teeth floating, moon blindness, and more!

[originally published in the May 2017 issue of Show Horse Today]

Questions answered in this episode:
1. I have a horse that was diagnosed with anhidrosis. Aside from medication, is there anything I can do to help him? I once saw a horse like that at a barn I was at before, and since medication wouldn’t help him much, the owner decided to start giving him half a beer every morning to help him sweat. Apparently it worked, but is that a good idea?
2. I have a question about the horse’s teeth this time. Some people say it’s needed to float the teeth once a year, others say longer, others say more frequent. What is your opinion on floating, and how do I know my horse needs her teeth floated?
3. How can you tell if your farrier is doing a good job, and what does a healthy hoof look like?
4. With show season coming up, is it truly harmful to shave/trim a horse’s facial whiskers since they are “connected” to their brain cells?
5. I have an Appaloosa-Paint mix, and my farrier once mentioned to me to be careful about moon blindness. What is it, what breeds does it affect, what can be done to prevent it, and once it’s contracted, what are the treatment options? Since my horse is a mix, is he less likely to contract moon blindness?