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Horseytalk.net Special Interview
Polly, the broodmare with a Parrot Mouth

PollyIt was Easter 2009 when I first met Polly, a 7 year old thoroughbred broodmare with a genetic dental disorder commonly known as Parrot Mouth. I was informed that she’d bred 3 foals and that the last foal had already died having had the same genetic disorder as mum, and that Polly had given up the will to live or eat.

She was probably the most emaciated horse that I’d ever seen. My brief inspection of Polly's mouth showed that it was a severe case of Parrot Mouth that had finally taken its toll and put her mouth into total gridlock. All she could do was dribble. No work was to be carried out on Polly that day. There also seemed to be no plan for Polly's future. She really needed to come home with me if she was ever going to eat again, or to be put to sleep as soon as possible. It was Easter Saturday when I handed over £200 meat money for Polly. She was led from the barn to my awaiting trailer. I didn't think Polly could have looked any worse than when I first saw her two days before, but she did. I was now in serious doubt as to whether or not I was doing the right thing. Would she survive the journey home?

PollyMy wife, Emma, was unaware of her Easter present about to arrive. I was sure I could make Polly’s mouth function again but the rest of her condition was my main concern. If anyone could bring her back to life it was Emma. I arrived home at the yard about 6pm. Emma didn't seem too impressed by my Easter gift to her, although she quickly took her from me, rugged her up and made up her stable. We decided to leave her to rest until the morning as she was a bit stiff from the journey.On my late night check on the horses before bed, I noticed that Polly hadn't moved in the 5 hours she'd been here. I decided to set up my instruments and get to work on her mouth right away.

When I work on a normal mouth I usually start at the back and work my way forwards. In Polly's case I had to work my way into her mouth through large dental overgrowths, finding further teeth embedded in her tongue and cheeks. Parrot MouthNow, feeling stupid that I’d left her so long before starting work on her as it was obvious that it was impossible for her to eat, I then spent a couple of hours working on her that night before rolling into bed about 2 a.m. There was still at least another 7 hours work to be done if Polly was ever to lead a normal life. Because her jaw had been restricted from moving for so long, it was very important not to release her jaw in one instant as the muscles to work the jaw would not cope and needed to rebuild gradually.

The next day Emma was first up and went out to give breakfast to the horses. I was still half asleep when Emma came in moaning a little that I hadn't given Polly any hay last night. I was now wide awake and happy. The last thing I’d done was to check that the horses had everything they needed!

Polly and friend now.One year on, after many additional hours of work, Polly is in tip-top condition. Although Emma and I will always own Polly to ensure that she never breeds again and that her mouth be regularly maintained, we are very fortunate to have found Polly a 5 star permanent lone home as a light hack/companion with ex-event horse, Higgins.

Emma has requested that I keep things simple this Easter. No horses, just an Easter egg. The moral of this story is that Polly ticks all the boxes to be a brood mare. She has excellent breeding, super temperament and good conformation. But she doesn't tick the box for genetic dental disorders, maybe because the box isn't there or we are just unaware. As the horse’s caretaker, we need to take responsibility for what we create. I was able to pick up the pieces this time. Not every story has a happy ending!

Bill Lomas EqDT

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