How dental pathology affects horse wellbeing and performance, and what evidence-based dental care looks like for horses at all life stages.
Dental disease is a chronic welfare problem in horses that is largely preventable with regular professional care. Pain from sharp points, diastema, or periodontal disease affects how horses chew, which in turn affects nutrient extraction and body condition. Behavioral signs including head tilting, dropping food, resistance to the bit, and weight loss are often the first owner-noticed indicators of dental pain. Annual or biannual dental examinations by a qualified equine dental practitioner or veterinarian, combined with sedation for complete oral examination, provide the best welfare outcomes.