Natural Horsemanship of Northern Nevada
August 2009 Newsletter
President: Lydia Matisheck, 775-970-5256 nimbusnimrod@gmail.com
Vice President: Cindy Salyer, 775-853-5546 eduquest@charter.net
Immediate Past President: Rebekka Rhodes, 775-972-9025 centaurgenic@mindspring.com
Activities Coordinator: Dar Meredith, 775-972-1127 darlene.meredith@rrd.com
Secretary: Louise Fernandes, 775-425-0778 l8luez@clearwire.com
Assistant Secretary: Position Open
Newsletter Editor: Rebekka Rhodes, 775-9729025 centaurgenic@mindspring.com
Treasurer: Lisa Mae Woods, 775-762-7581 rafixa@charter.net
Web Master: Jann Hehn, 775-852-7261 wjhs@sbcglobal.net
Membership Director: Barbara Crossland, 775-852-5930 bcrossland@eduquest.usa.org Mail membership dues
to NHANN, c/o Barbara Crossland, 2775 Ravazza Road, Reno, NV 89521. $25.00 individual, $35.00 family
annual dues
Librarian: Lisa Mae Woods, 775-762-7581 rafixa@charter.net
August Meeting Highlights:
 The general meeting was called to order at 6:26 p.m. with a welcome from the club’s President, Lydia.
 Lydia requested feedback from the general members regarding their desired use of the Bartley Ranch
arena that is booked for the club’s use in September. Lydia told the membership that the board had
discussed a potential play day/workshop format, with Rebekka providing individual instruction for the
workshop participants. The workshop portion of day would require a fee to participate. Rebekka asked
the membership the question, “What would it take to get you and your horse there?” The members
briefly discussed their ideas for the use of the arena.
 Lisa Mae provided the Treasurer’s report as follows: The balance for August to date is $1,592.10.
 Lydia inquired of the members about the current meeting structure, and past proposal to have informal
gatherings throughout the year allowing the members time to learn from each other. Lydia wanted to
know specifically how often the members would like to have informal meetings. A decision to poll the
members by e-mail was made.
 The general meeting was adjourned at 6:48PM.
Upcoming Events:
NHANN September Meeting:
The September meeting is scheduled for September 10th, 2009 at the Round Table Pizza located in the
Reno Town Mall, 4007 South Virginia Street. The board meeting begins at 5:15 PM. The general
members’ meeting begins at 6pm. This month offers an informal round table discussion to allow
members time to learn from each other.
Nevada Museum of Art: The works of Montana artist Deborah Butterfield, a horse sculptor, are on display
through September 23, 2009. Contact the Museum of Art for more information at (775) 329-3333, or at
www.nevadaart.org
Clinton Anderson- Walk about tour stop: Scheduled for the Reno Livestock Event Center November 7 and 8,
2009. This is a spectator’s only event. Tickets are $12.50. Contact www.downunderhorsemanship.com for
more information.
NHANN does not promote any of the clinicians listed above. The above information is provided for your information and
convenience only.
August Presentation Highlights: Dentistry for horses by Scott Greene, D.V.M.
Dr. Greene graduated from the Ohio State University in 1988. After over twenty years of practice, in the year
2000, he made the decision to limit his practice to equine dentistry and reproduction. Dr. Greene said that
during the time of his veterinary training equine dentistry was not considered very important and he received
minimal training while in school. Dr. Greene said that later on in his years of practice, he was taught dentistry
by another clinician and learned to give much more comprehensive dental care then what he had learned in
school. Dr. Greene explained that dental care is considered preventative medicine.
Dr. Greene said that after a period of time practicing dentistry with only the hand tools that were available, he
noticed that it was taking a toll on his body. He decided that there must be a way to develop motorized
instruments, and after some thought, he developed a motorized system to float teeth. These motorized tools are
now produced and sold widely to equine veterinarians by several different companies. However, Dr. Greene
said that education was lacking on their proper use, and so he began to write papers, and give lectures to his
colleagues on this subject.
Dr. Greene said that he currently practices dentistry on 800 head of horses per year. He said that he was raised
in a ranching environment, where it was thought that horses’ teeth did not require any care until they became
older. He said that this trend has been turning around during the past fifteen years to recognizing that proper
dental care is important through out the horse’s life.
Dr. Greene said that wild horses are grazing on abrasive feed (“biological silica”) for sixteen to eighteen hours
per day, and do not exhibit dental pathology. On the other hand, domestic horses are fed twenty to twenty five
pounds of processed fed two to three times a day, and as such are unable to wear their teeth down like their wild
counterparts. Horses’ teeth continue to erupt and wear at a rate of 2-4mm. per year, and the rate of wear ideally
should equal the rate of eruption, maintaining a consistent crown height. If you have excessive crown due to a
lack of wear, you will have excessive wear on the opposing teeth.
Dr. Greene explained the initial cursory examination that he performs with every horse. This initial exam is
performed without sedation, and seeks to identify any abnormalities. He explained that he is examining the
facial muscles, the shape of the face, smelling the breath, checking lateral excursion (the amount of movement
that the jaws have in the horizontal plane), and palpating the TMJ structures (temporal-mandibular joints),
which he said can be uneven due to the horse chewing predominantly on one side. Dr. Greene said that the
larger muscle is always found on the opposite side from the side that the horse predominantly chews on.
Upon completion of the cursory exam, a complete exam is performed. This exam requires sedation and the use
of a full mouth speculum. The exam begins with a visual and digital intraoral exam. Upon completion of both of
these examinations, a treatment plan is formulated and the dental procedures are performed. Dr. Greene said
that safety is paramount, and explained the following requirements at a barn to be able to provide care: an
electrical outlet with a GFI, access to water, good stall footing (dirt floor is preferred), and a corner to back the
horse into.
Dr. Greene explained the Triadan System, which is a three digit nomenclature to describe the dentition (it
systematically numbers each tooth); he spoke about the causes of malocclusion in horses, as well as the
definitions of wear patterns (waves, ramps, hooks, steps, saw tooth) and the problems that these will cause. He
discussed periodontal disease, cavities, and their care. Yes, horses can have fillings!
Dr. Greene said that the first dental examination should take place in the spring of the second year of a horse,
prior to placing anything into their mouth. However, during the first five years of age, horses’ teeth should be
monitored closely.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:40PM.
Dr. Scott Greene, D.V.M. may be reached at Equine Veterinary Care, (775) 826-6233.
Member Share:
The share portion of the meeting did not occur as the speaker presentation went over time.
Horse Friendly Products:
Timberline Saddle Company: Custom Saddles: Western, Dressage, English, Trail and Endurance models; 6090 day delivery for custom orders. Custom saddle pads, girths and cinches, bridles and accessories available.
Tacky-Tack Saddle Pads – extreme comfort and non-slip security; washable and breathable. Turtle Snapsquick release ties. Skidmore’s brand Leather Care products. Contact Mark Rhodes, 775-972-9025 or e-mail
centaurgenic@mindspring.com.
Equischwinger: Hand-made bamboo training sticks by Ray Henderson. These lightweight training sticks and
whips are the answer for sore wrists and tired arms! These gorgeous, hand-made sticks are light but strong and
can be customized to your specifications. Call Ray at 775-297-6092 or visit his website at
www.equischwinger.com.
Horse for sale: Gaited Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse: 15 year old mare. Excellent ground manners;
beautiful bare feet; no vices; sound; she is sensitive, responsive and willing. She requires a skilled, confident
rider. Please contact Louise at 775-425-0778 or via e-mail at l8luez@clearwire.net.
Classified ads are free to members and may advertise businesses, wanted items or sale items. Send an e-mail to l8luez
@clearwire.net