The Texas State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners will reconsider a proposed rule that would prohibit so-called "lay equine dentists" in that state from using motorized or air-powered files to float horses' teeth without the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian.

General Council Nicole Oria said the board voted to reconsider the proposed rule Sept. 10 because veterinarians and non-veterinarian equine dentists strongly opposed it.

"Veterinarians opposed the rule because they believe it allows non-veterinarian equine dentists to do too much," Oria said. "The dentists opposed it because they say it would restrict them in their work."

Teeth floating is the filing or cutting of long points on a horse's teeth. Traditionally, both veterinarian and non-veterinarian equine dentists use non-mechanized handheld rasps to perform the procedure. The rule allows non-veterinarian tooth floaters to use manual rasps and files in their work