Equine Dental Health and Welfare

Dental disease in horses causes chronic pain, difficulty eating, and performance problems — yet equine dental care is often inadequate or delivered by insufficiently trained practitioners.

Key Facts

Horses' teeth erupt continuously throughout their lives and require regular rasping (floating) to maintain appropriate wear
Sharp enamel points on cheek teeth cause ulceration of the cheeks and tongue during chewing
Wolf teeth (vestigial premolars) can interfere with bit placement and cause pain under saddle
The UK requires equine dental technicians (EDTs) to be registered, but standards vary globally
Horses with dental disease often show reduced performance, quidding (dropping food), and weight loss

Welfare Considerations

Equine dental pain is pervasive and frequently unrecognised. Horses with sharp dental points, retained caps, or misaligned teeth suffer every time they eat and every time they are ridden with a bit. The chronic nature of dental pain — gradual onset over months — means it becomes normalised as 'the horse being difficult'. Regular dental examination (at least annually) and treatment by appropriately trained practitioners prevents most serious dental disease. The regulatory framework for equine dentistry varies enormously; owner awareness of the signs of dental pain is an important first line of detection.

What You Can Do

Schedule annual equine dental examination with a qualified EDT or veterinary surgeon
Learn to recognise signs of dental pain including quidding, weight loss, and head-tilting
Ensure young horses have wolf teeth and retained caps assessed and treated appropriately
Advocate for standardised qualifications and registration for equine dental practitioners
Engage with equine welfare organisations that promote evidence-based dental care standards