Waikato Equine Dental

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Equine dental care · Matamata, Cambridge & the Waikato

Sound teeth, settled horse.

Ross McAllister has been floating horses across the Waikato for fifteen years. He arrives in a purpose-built truck with power tools, hand rasps and a veterinary sedation partner, and leaves you with a full dental report by email within forty-eight hours. Every horse deserves a mouth that works.

Prepare for your appointment →
  1. What to prepare
  2. Procedures
  3. How we work
  4. Qualifications
  5. What owners say
  6. FAQ

01 · What to prepare

Get ready before we arrive.

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    What we do, what it costs.

    1. Routine float — sharp enamel points removed with diamond burrs and hand rasps, mouth rinsed$180
    2. Wolf-tooth extraction — local or sedated, includes post-op check at two weeks$250
    3. Dental examination — full oral inspection with speculum, written report$120
    4. Incisor reduction — overgrown or misaligned incisors reshaped$160
    5. Bit-seat adjustment — first premolar edges rounded for bit comfort$140
    6. Foal and weanling check — brief exam for retained caps or eruption issues$80

    03 · How we work

    From gate to report.

    1. Arrival and setup — Ross parks the truck and sets up the portable stocks. Dr Sarah Ngata (BVSc, NZVA) administers sedation if required.
    2. Examination — Full oral inspection using a Hausmann speculum and LED headlamp. All findings recorded on a dental chart.
    3. Treatment — Power-driven diamond burrs for gross reduction, hand rasps for fine finishing. Each tooth edge checked individually.
    4. Recovery — The horse is walked until the sedation wears off, usually 20–30 minutes. We wait until they are steady before we leave.
    5. Report — A PDF dental chart with photos is emailed to you within 48 hours, including when to book the next visit.

    04 · Qualifications

    Training and registration.

    NZEDTA RegisteredNew Zealand Equine Dental Technicians Association, full membership since 2011.
    Insured$2M professional indemnity and public liability through NZI.
    CPD40+ hours continuing professional development annually, including veterinary dentistry symposiums.
    Equine First AidLevel 2 Equine First Aid Certificate (St John), renewed every two years.
    Vet PartnershipDr Sarah Ngata (BVSc, NZVA) — dedicated veterinary sedation partner for all procedures.

    From the paddock.

    • "Doris had been quidding for weeks and our previous dentist said it was just age. Ross found a cracked molar in ten minutes. She has been eating properly ever since."
      — Helen Turei, Cambridge · Doris, 18-year-old Thoroughbred mare
    • "We get all twenty-two of our racing team done in one visit. Ross is efficient, the horses are calm, and the reports are detailed enough for our vet records."
      — Matamata Racing Stables · 22-horse string
    • "Our pony-club kids can now see exactly what a dental chart looks like. Ross spent an extra fifteen minutes explaining the anatomy to them — well beyond the call."
      — Piako Pony Club, Morrinsville

    06 · FAQ

    Common questions.

    • How often should my horse have a dental check?
      Annually for adult horses (5–20 years). Every six months for horses under five (teeth are erupting and shifting) and over twenty (wear patterns change). Competition horses ridden in a bit benefit from six-monthly checks too.
    • At what age should a foal have its first exam?
      We recommend a brief check at weaning (around 5–6 months), then again at 2.5 years before any mouthing begins. This catches retained caps, parrot mouth and eruption problems early.
    • Is sedation always needed?
      Not always. A calm, experienced horse having a routine float can often be done with a twitch and good handling. Wolf-tooth extractions and any procedure near the back of the mouth require sedation for the horse's safety and ours. Dr Ngata administers sedation — only a vet can do this legally in New Zealand.
    • What are the signs of dental problems?
      Dropping feed (quidding), head tossing under the bit, reluctance to accept the bridle, foul breath, weight loss despite good feed, and swelling along the jawline. Any of these warrants an exam.
    • Do you treat donkeys and mules?
      Yes. Donkeys have the same teeth but different anatomy — their jaw is narrower and they tend to develop sharper hooks. Mules are treated the same as horses of equivalent size.
    • What area do you cover?
      Matamata, Cambridge, Morrinsville, Te Aroha and the Piako district with no call-out fee. Hamilton, Te Awamutu and Tokoroa by arrangement with a $60 call-out. We travel further for studs and large yards — call to discuss.