Dental disease in horses causes chronic pain affecting eating, behavioral responses to the bit, and overall welfare, yet dental care remains inconsistently provided despite being essential and highly effective.
Horse dental welfare is a hidden but pervasive welfare issue. The horse whose bit causes oral pain is not simply being difficult — it is communicating discomfort in the only way available to it. Resistance behaviors in ridden horses that are attributed to training problems often have dental pain at their root. Regular dental assessment and floating, typically annually or more frequently for young and senior horses, prevents the accumulation of dental problems into chronic pain states. The veterinary dentistry tools and knowledge to address dental pain effectively exist; the welfare barrier is primarily awareness and consistent veterinary access for all horses regardless of economic context.