It’s spreading from Oklahoma to Texas. In mid-October, the Texas Veterinary Medical Examiners will hold an administrative hearing to determine whether floating teeth is a veterinary procedure.

If the board rules that it is, lay equine dentists without DVMs will be ordered to cease practicing. In March, horse owners and dental practitioners filed suit against the Texas Veterinary Medical Examiners’ new requirement that only government-licensed veterinarians be allowed to practice equine dentistry, outlawing the occupation of unlicensed equine dental practitioners.

According to The Daily Texan, Plaintiff Carl Mitz, an equine dental practitioner for the past 22 years, said he will "fight to save his profession." There are between 300 and 500 dental practitioners in Texas.

Last year, Oklahoma passed a similar law. The Oklahoma Veterinary Practice Act allows felony charges against equine dentists who do not hold a veterinary license. In March, pro-rodeo rider and equine dentist Bobby Griswold was arrested on felony charges for not adhering to a cease and desist order.

His case is pending.