04/08/2025
1. When was the first motorized horse float made?
The first protypes were made in 1930, that's 95 years ago!! Production of a patented design was started in 1937. So this is pretty old technology.
2. Who invented the motorized horse float?
Dr. Helmar Dun a German veterinarian invented the first motorized float and other equipment with collaboration from his nephew Dr. Erwin Becker and the help of a human dentist. Dr. Becker is one of the most important contributors to modern equine dentistry.
3. WHY was it invented?
Dr. Dun was a veterinary who worked on draft horses in the German calvary during WWI. He saw the need for preventative dentistry for the very large number of horses and in his practice the majority of horses underwent a dental exam. Keeping the calvary strong was needed in order to have a strong army.
The motorized float was successful with impressive results. The quality of equine dental work was improved and treatment times were greatly reduced.
Dr. Chiero's current float has the same basic parts. The picture on the right was taken by her at the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna. This unit is circa the late 1930's, one of those early models. It is electric with a flexible cable drive, rotary grinding disc, and water cool. Thankfully, in our modern version the motor is much smaller and is now battery operated.
So hand floats vs. motorized floats? Lots to discuss here, for now we will say the MOST important factor is the PERSON OPERATING the tool.
