Dental problems are among the most common and under-recognised welfare issues in horses. Without regular rasping, sharp enamel points cause pain that affects eating, behaviour, and performance.
Equine dental pain is a chronic, often unrecognised welfare problem. Horses are stoic and may continue eating despite significant oral pain, masking welfare compromise from owners. Improperly floated teeth, sharp enamel ridges, and misalignments cause painful lesions. In performance horses, bit contact with dental injuries causes acute pain and resistance. Regular qualified dental care is a basic welfare requirement for all domestic equids.