Dental disease is one of the most common and underdiagnosed welfare problems in horses. Regular dental examination and treatment by qualified equine dental technicians or vets is essential for horse welfare.
Dental pain in horses manifests as quidding (dropping food), weight loss, head tossing, resistance to the bit, and behavioural changes. Owners frequently attribute these signs to training issues rather than pain — leading to continued use of horses in work while in pain. Horses that cannot properly chew feed cannot maintain body condition regardless of feeding programme. Wolf teeth — vestigial premolars that can cause bitting pain — require removal in working horses. Access to qualified equine dental practitioners has improved significantly, but rural horses and those owned by less experienced owners remain at higher risk of undetected dental disease.