Horse Dental Care and Welfare | Animal Welfare Hub

Equine dental disease causes pain during eating and bitting that is frequently unrecognised by owners — regular dental care is fundamental to horse welfare.

Key Facts

Horses have hypsodont (continuously erupting) teeth that develop sharp enamel points as they wear unevenly in domestic feeding situations.
Sharp cheek teeth points lacerate the tongue and cheeks causing pain, quidding (dropping food), and weight loss.
An estimated 70% of horses examined at routine dental checks have some form of dental pathology requiring treatment.
Ridden horses with dental pain may show resistance, head tossing, reluctance to accept the bit, and one-sidedness.
Equine dental examinations require a full mouth speculum and appropriate lighting — visual checks are insufficient for molar assessment.

Welfare Considerations

Equine dental disease causes widespread hidden suffering. Because horses continue eating despite dental pain — they must eat to survive — owners often miss the signs of oral discomfort until disease is advanced. Regular dental rasping (floating) removes sharp points and allows comfortable chewing and bitting. The connection between dental pain and behavioural problems under saddle is often missed, with horses punished for resistances that are actually pain responses. Annual dental checks by a qualified equine dental technician or vet are essential welfare provision.

What You Can Do

Schedule annual dental examinations with a qualified equine dental technician or equine vet.
Investigate dental causes when ridden horses show resistance, one-sidedness, or head tossing.
Learn the signs of dental pain in horses: quidding, slow eating, dropping hay, nasal discharge, and weight loss.
Ensure young horses receive dental assessment from 2-3 years as wolf teeth and sharp caps can cause early problems.