Dental health is fundamental to horse welfare, affecting nutrition, behavior, and performance. Regular dental care prevents significant pain and suffering in horses.
Equine dental welfare is chronically underprioritized despite being among the most common sources of pain in domestic horses. Horses cannot communicate dental discomfort clearly, and the signs — including dropping feed, poor condition, and training difficulties — are often misattributed to behavioral problems or poor management. The result is horses living with painful mouth lacerations, impacted teeth, or diseased gums for extended periods. Annual dental examination by a qualified equine dentist or veterinarian is the minimum standard for good horse dental welfare. Horses with performance problems or behavioral issues should have dental examination as a first step in diagnosis.