Dental problems are among the most common and most overlooked welfare issues in horses. Regular dental care dramatically improves horse comfort and overall health.
Equine dental pain is pervasive and often misinterpreted as behavioral problems or training resistance. Sharp enamel points on cheek teeth lacerate the tongue and cheek mucosa during chewing and bitting. Wave mouths, hooks, and ramps cause abnormal wearing patterns that worsen without intervention. Horses mask pain subtly — reduced feed efficiency or slight behavior changes may be the only signs. Regular dental care is welfare-critical but often neglected especially in working horses in developing countries where access to equine dental professionals is limited.