wondering what this tool is...
- Thread starter autoclassicnut
- Start date
Farmer J.
Well-known member
It looks familiar, but I can't remember exactly.. Maybe you put it in a horses mouth to keep it's jaws apart whilst filing it's teeth smooth?
Bighead38
Well-known member
That sounds terrible.
jakemac
Well-known member
I looks like a stirrup, but it's shaped wrong.
larry4406
Well-known member
In the first picture, the one on the top is a pair of glasses, same for the object on the right in the second picture.
-sorry i could not resist and cannot offer any useful info.
-sorry i could not resist and cannot offer any useful info.
OP
autoclassicnut
Well-known member
Anybody else?
CouchSpring
Well-known member
Horse tool
Farmer J.
Well-known member
My step son, who is a veterinary surgeon says "you could use it for any large animal to hold it's jaws apart for dentistry or whilst administering medicine", i suppose he counts as somebody else!
I now remember throwing one on the scrap here many years ago whilst clearing out old stables.
In use you hold the handle end which hangs below the animals lower jaw and it's nose is free to breathe above the opposite open end, but i've never seen one like this used. The last time a horse here had it's teeth done the mobile horse dentist used a natty modern ratcheting type gag so she had to 'open wide' very nicely! Afterwards the horse was much improved and could eat comfortably without dropping food, and i had a beer with the dentist.
Tools like this are not needed to dose cattle and sheep with liquid medicine as they have a gap between teeth you can fit a bottle neck between.
gnpenning
Well-known member
The term is dental speculum. Not to be confused with other types of speculums.
The speculums I've seen are the mechanical type, but I could see using it to float a horses teeth.
I'm not sure what would secure it if the horse got to moving around. I would think that there should be a strap or chain to attach it to a halter at the loop/handle area. I'm sure it would work better than what I do...
The speculums I've seen are the mechanical type, but I could see using it to float a horses teeth.
I'm not sure what would secure it if the horse got to moving around. I would think that there should be a strap or chain to attach it to a halter at the loop/handle area. I'm sure it would work better than what I do...
jimreed2160
Well-known member
Well maybe the vet's son could weigh in here. I remember seeing these things around the stables. And I have assisted many times with floating teeth. Here is how we would float teeth:
1. Put twitch chain on upper lip.
2. Wrap *********** towel.
3. Vet holds tongue in one hand and float in the other. Assistant bears down on twitch for deal life.
4. Mayhem ensues.
I think this type of speculum is used for other less strenuous procedures. Like maybe inspecting teeth. Or opening mouth of reluctant patient. The tool does provide excellent leverage.
1. Put twitch chain on upper lip.
2. Wrap *********** towel.
3. Vet holds tongue in one hand and float in the other. Assistant bears down on twitch for deal life.
4. Mayhem ensues.
I think this type of speculum is used for other less strenuous procedures. Like maybe inspecting teeth. Or opening mouth of reluctant patient. The tool does provide excellent leverage.
Richard Cranium
Well-known member
I was going to say last time I saw a horse getting his teeth floated they used a twitch.
Never seen any thing like that.
Never seen any thing like that.
Farmer J.
Well-known member
Thank you for this, I have been wondering about it...
i now think I am wrong (not the first time..) I see there's new ones for sale exactly like the one i threw on the scrap, described as 'mouth gag for pigs'.. and my father had kept pigs in the building i cleared out... so maybe it's a pig speculim not for horses at all! I don't fancy restraining either, thank goodness for sedatives! (and beer) My vet son specialises in small animal surgery so doesn't use these.
http://www.medical-tools.com/shop/mouth-gag-for-pigs.html
OP
autoclassicnut
Well-known member
Wow i would have never guessed that thanks everyone!
Farmer J.
Well-known member
Thank you for posting this thread. You gave us some good Sunday afternoon entertainment!
It's amazing what one finds out on Garage Journal...
Lahti35
Well-known member
Some quick research on an antique farm tool site says its for sheep, hogs, and goats...
"The two crossbars are inserted horizontally behind the upper and lower canine teeth then levered vertically to open the mouth".
"The two crossbars are inserted horizontally behind the upper and lower canine teeth then levered vertically to open the mouth".
OP
autoclassicnut
Well-known member
Which one?