Equine dental disease causes chronic pain affecting riding comfort, food processing, and quality of life, and is frequently missed without specialized dental examination.
Equine dental welfare is a well-established but frequently underserved need. Horses rarely show obvious signs of dental pain — the behaviors that indicate dental problems (head tossing, contact issues, slow eating) are often attributed to training problems or behavioral issues rather than their actual cause. Dental flotation by an equine dentist or veterinarian, performed under appropriate sedation, corrects the sharp points and uneven wear that cause soft tissue trauma. Without regular dental care, horses may progressively lose weight as chewing efficiency declines, and may experience pain with every bite for months or years. Geriatric horses face particular dental challenges as teeth eventually fall out, requiring dietary modification to maintain body condition. Annual dental examinations should be a non-negotiable component of equine preventive care.