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Veterinary Mental Health in Equine Dentistry.

In recent years, the mental health crisis within the veterinary profession has gained more public attention—and rightly so. This profession demands so much of us: emotionally, mentally, and physically. And while there are many complex factors at play, I want to explore one that’s often overlooked: mindset—specifically, how mindset affects our mental health and professional fulfillment in equine dentistry.


Obsession with Others: A Destructive Distraction

One of the most toxic habits I see in our field is a tendency to obsess over what others are doing. In equine dentistry, the conversation too often revolves around who is doing the work, rather than how they’re doing it. This misplaced focus creates division, stress, and resentment. It shifts our energy away from improving ourselves and toward criticizing others—something that helps no one.


Scarcity vs. Abundance: The Mindset Divide

This problem often stems from a scarcity mindset—the belief that there’s not enough to go around. Not enough clients. Not enough money. Not enough opportunity. When you live in that headspace, you’re constantly on edge, constantly comparing, and rarely satisfied.

But here’s the truth: there is more than enough—more than enough horses, more than enough opportunities, more than enough room for success. The key is to shift to an abundance mindset. When you stop worrying about who’s doing what and start focusing on how you can be better, things change. You stop spinning in frustration and start building something meaningful. You gain clarity, motivation, and peace.


Focus on Mastery

Ask yourself:

  • How good am I at what I do?

  • Am I committed to real continuing education—not just one-off CE events, but in-depth, ongoing skill-building?

  • Am I training the way someone trains for a sport or martial art?

  • Do I seek out mentors from a wide variety of backgrounds and philosophies?

Equine dentistry isn’t something you just tack onto your practice. It’s a craft, and it requires discipline and time. If you want to be truly great, you must make sacrifices, seek depth—not just breadth, and commit to mastery.

When you do that, clients will come. Horses will come. Results will speak for themselves. There is no shortage for those who are excellent at what they do.


Let Go of Ego and Keep Growing

I’ve seen it many times: someone earns a title or becomes board-certified and then stops growing. They close their mind and believe they’ve “arrived.” But that’s when the decline begins. Growth stops. Innovation halts. And over time, they fall behind.

Credentials don’t make you excellent—continual effort does. Stay curious. Stay humble. Surround yourself with others who are passionate, even if they’re doing the exact same thing you are. Especially if they are.

Some of my closest friends are better than me in certain areas of dentistry—and I love that. I learn from them, and they push me to grow. That’s community. That’s abundance.


You Are More Than Your Job

Here’s another crucial point: you are not defined by your job. I love equine dentistry. I’ve been doing it since 2001, and I love it more today than ever. But it does not define me.

If you tie your identity only to being a vet, a dentist, or a surgeon, you're setting yourself up for misery. Because eventually, something will change. And if your identity is wrapped around that title, what happens when it goes away?

Instead, tie your identity to your love of what you do—not the label. That’s how you protect yourself from burnout.


Final Thoughts: Clean Your Own House First

If you're a young veterinarian or someone looking to build a strong equine dentistry practice, remember this: Before you worry about what others are doing, make sure your house is in order.

  • Are you doing everything you can to be the best at what you do?

  • Are you surrounding yourself with people who have an abundance mindset?

  • Are you looking inward instead of outward?


Most dental vets I meet are far more concerned with everyone else’s “house” than their own—and that only leads to dissatisfaction and unhappiness.

If you love what you do, train hard, stay open, and stay kind—there is no shortage of horses to work on. You’ll build not only a successful practice but a fulfilling and sustainable career.

Thanks for reading. If you’re a veterinary professional on this journey, I’d love to hear your thoughts—drop a comment or reach out. Let’s support each other in becoming the best versions of ourselves.



Want to Learn More?

If you're a veterinary professional interested in expanding your knowledge in equine dentistry, we offer training courses on equilibration, diagnosis, endoscopic assessment, and more. You can always contact us at mooredvmeducation@gmail.com or call the office at 512-508-8141.



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