Dental disease in horses causes chronic pain, impaired digestion, and reduced quality of life; regular veterinary dental examination and treatment is essential welfare provision for all horses.
Horse dental health directly determines quality of life through effects on feeding comfort, digestion, and bit contact. Sharp enamel points cause soft tissue lacerations that impair chewing efficiency; more serious conditions including periodontal disease, tooth root abscesses, and wave mouth cause chronic pain that affects behaviour and condition. The stoic nature of horses means dental pain often goes unrecognised until condition loss or behaviour change prompts investigation. Annual dental examination provides preventive welfare monitoring rather than waiting for clinical signs.