Welcome Dr. Jenna Moline

MVS is excited to announce our new associate, Dr. Jenna Moline, is on the job! She’s heading up Team Dixie and we’re delighted to have her as part of the team. Learn more about Dr. Moline below, and be sure to say hi if you see her.

I am a Wyoming native that grew up in Sundance on the outskirts of the Black Hills.  Growing up on a cattle ranch, horses were both an instrument for getting work done, but also provided an outlet that took me beyond the confines of the ranch through 4-H, FFA, and rodeo.  Being unable to decide between two diverse pasions, after high school I initially studied both music (piano and voice) and pre-veterinary studies at the University of Idaho (Moscow).  During the summers of my undergraduate studies I was fortunate to spend three years in Sitka, Alaska where I continued to develop my love for all things outdoors.  Following graduation with a music theory and applied music degree in 2007, I was given the opportunity to move to New York City where I worked as an operations administrator for an asset management company for three years.  Coming home to Wyoming got a little more difficult each time, eventually leading me to return to that initial passion of veterinary medicine.


Returning to Wyoming, I obtained a second Bachelors in pre-veterinary studies and then completed a Masters in Animal Science with an emphasis in nutrition.  The next step was veterinary school at Washington State University (Pullman).  By the end of my first semester, I knew I wanted to be an equine veterinarian.  Unfortunately, at the beginning of my fourth year of veterinary school, my mother was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease).  My plan to become an equine veterinarian took a backseat so I could move home to be with my mother.  After my mother passed I returned to the idea of being an equine-only veterinarian.  Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Lexington, Kentucky had an opening for an ambulatory veterinary internship so I traded mixed animal practice and the mountains of Wyoming for an equine-only career in the bluegrass.  During my time as an associate with Hagyard, I developed a deeper interest in equine dentistry and sports horse medicine.  Being surrounded by green grass and horses was amazing, but eventually the call of the west became too great and I returned back to the Rockies.  Prior to joining Mobile Veterinary Services, I spent two years in Montana working both as an ambulatory and in-clinic general practitioner.


You will often find me accompanied by a canine companion and a cup of coffee.  When not working, I enjoy being outdoors as much as possible, whether hiking, having a fire in the backyard, or attending outdoor music venues.  I am looking forward to being back in a metropolitan area where I can attend baseball games, broadway shows, and make it up to Laramie for some football games (Go Pokes!).  I look forward to meeting you and your horses and am thrilled to work with such an amazing team as Mobile Veterinary Services!

The Problem with “Lay Dentists”

You want the best for your horse, and your horse deserves it. Advances in equine preventative care and sports medicine enable our horses to live longer and healthier lives than ever before. In addition to semi-annual wellness exams, vaccinations, and good hoof care, your horse may receive veterinary chiropractic care, veterinary acupuncture, and massage therapy, all to ensure your horse is as healthy and happy as can be.

Good dental care is a critical piece of this “whole horse” approach, vital for your horse’s health and longevity. Unfortunately, more horse owners are encountering equine tooth floating services provided by what are often referred to as “lay dentists”.  Horses – especially our athletes – benefit from the collaborative efforts of professionals, such as veterinarians and farriers. So you may ask, why not between veterinarians and “lay dentists”?

While these individuals promote themselves as equine dentists, the term ‘dentist’ is inaccurate. These individuals may have had some prior experience “floating teeth.” However, they do not have a medical education in the mechanics, physiology, or pharmacology involved. They are not permitted to diagnose or treat disease, as this is the practice of medicine. Additionally, there is no governing body to certify the education or training that these individuals have (or have not) received. Therefore, if an adverse event occurs, the horse owner is left with little recourse. In the state of Colorado, the practice of dentistry may be delegated to veterinary personnel but only under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian.

Equine dentistry is so much more than just floating sharp edges from cheek teeth. A comprehensive understanding of anatomy as well as the ability to perform a complete and thorough oral examination is essential.

There are five requirements to perform a complete oral examination.

  1. Sedation: Even if it is light sedation, your horse/donkey/mule must be sedated (and still!) to facilitate a complete examination of the oral cavity. Ensuring your horse’s cooperation and comfort allows the veterinarian to provide dental care more efficiently, while minimizing the amount of time your horse spends with his mouth open.
  2. Dental speculum:  This device keeps the horse’s mouth open, allowing the veterinarian to examine all the teeth. Without a speculum, the cheek teeth at the back of mouth cannot be evaluated.
  3. Light: Examination, floating, and dental procedures require light- just as your own dentist needs light to see what he/she is doing!
  4. Mirror: A mirror is needed to assess all surfaces of the teeth and gums.
  5. Dental probe and/ or a dental explorer: Like us, horses can suffer from periodontal disease, cavities, fractured teeth, and other conditions where a probe and explorer to assess depth and severity are needed to formulate a treatment plan.

Equine dentistry has evolved so much. Even in the field, complex procedures involving extractions, radiographs, or even restorations are possible. A non-veterinary “float” is a disservice to your horse- at best, incomplete, and at worst, potentially harmful.

If having a non-dentist work on your own teeth is unimaginable, why should the case be any different for your horse?