Dental disease is one of the most common and underrecognized sources of chronic pain in horses, with significant effects on nutrition, behavior, and performance that are frequently attributed to other causes.
Dental pain is one of the most chronic and pervasive welfare problems in horses because it develops gradually and the stoic nature of horses means clinical signs are subtle until pain is severe. Owners frequently interpret dental pain signs as training or behavior problems, leading to escalating pressure on horses that are actually in pain. The connection between dental disease and performance is direct — horses compensating for oral pain cannot work comfortably with the bit. Nutritional consequences of dental disease are severe in older horses, where impaired grinding leads to weight loss and impaction colic risk. Regular dental care represents one of the highest-impact welfare interventions available to horse owners, yet many horses in lower-income contexts receive no dental care throughout their lifetimes.