Veterinarians Concerned Floater Legislation Endangers Horses

By Jon Jordan, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Many veterinarians are up in arms over legislation they said could put Oklahoma horses in danger.

A bill in the House would allow floaters, or non-licensed veterinarians, to perform work on horses' teeth. Floaters are commonly used to file down horses' teeth, which has to be done, but the bill would allow floaters to perform more difficult practices like removing teeth. Serious work that vets said normally requires years of schooling.

"It would be the same thing as you going to have your teeth worked on by someone who hasn't been through dental school versus going to someone with a dental office," said OSU Equine Professor Lyndi Gilliam.

But proponents of the legislation who gathered earlier this week at the capitol to voice their support for the bill said whoever works on their horses should be their choice and theirs alone.

"We feel like the issue we are dealing with is property rights. We think the animals or horses are your right and you have the right to choose," said Rep. Don Armes, who proposed the floater legislation.

But veterinarians said it has nothing to do with a person's right to choose and everything to do with the horse's health.

"Until that time the horse owner fully recognizes that vets are the best care givers for horses, they are going to suffer," Galloway said.

Right now the bill has yet to pass the full legislature.

Last year a man working as an equine dentist was charged with a felony after working on a horse.

More on News9.com: Horse Dentistry Bill Pushed by Floaters, Lawmakers