Horse teeth require regular professional attention throughout their lives. Dental neglect is a significant welfare problem causing chronic pain, weight loss, and behavioural problems in horses and ponies.
Horse dental pain is a welfare problem that is frequently missed because horses continue to eat and behave apparently normally despite significant discomfort. Sharp enamel points cut the cheeks and tongue with every jaw movement; hooks and ramps prevent normal molar grinding action; and diseased or displaced teeth cause focal pain that worsens with work. Regular dental examination every 6-12 months by a qualified equine dental professional enables early intervention before problems become severe. Horses receiving good dental care eat more efficiently, maintain better body condition, and perform more comfortably under saddle. Welfare improvements in this area require better owner education, improved access to qualified dental professionals, and inclusion of dental care in equine welfare standards.