Horse Dentistry Welfare and Regular Examination

Equine dental disease causes pain that affects eating, performance and behavior. Regular dental examination and rasping by qualified professionals is essential equine welfare care.

Key Facts

Horses develop sharp enamel points on cheek teeth that lacerate the tongue and cheek mucosa
Dental pain manifests as quidding (dropping food), poor performance, head tossing and resistance
Adult horses should have dental examination every 6-12 months by a qualified equine dentist or vet
Wolf teeth and retained cap teeth may require extraction to prevent pain during bitting
Equine dental surgery for complex problems requires veterinary expertise and appropriate analgesia

Welfare Considerations

Equine dental pain is among the most commonly missed sources of discomfort in performance horses. Sharp points cause cheek and tongue ulceration that makes eating and bitting painful. Many horses ridden with significant dental pain have their behavioral signs attributed to training or temperament problems. Regular dental care prevents the development of welfare-significant dental disease and improves overall comfort and performance.

What You Can Do

Schedule dental examination and rasping every 6-12 months with a qualified equine dental professional
Investigate dental pain as a possible cause of quidding, weight loss or unexplained performance problems
Ensure dental professionals are appropriately qualified with recognized equine dental qualifications
Monitor horses for signs of dental pain including slow eating, food dropping and resistance to bridling
Provide appropriate post-dental analgesia particularly after extractions as dental procedures cause oral pain