Horse Preventive Dentistry: Annual Examination Welfare

Annual dental examination and rasping is an essential preventive welfare measure for horses, preventing the painful dental conditions that develop from abnormal wear in domesticated horses.

Key Facts

Horses' teeth erupt continuously throughout life, with uneven wear creating hooks, ramps, and sharp edges
Sharp enamel points on the buccal (cheek) surface of upper molars cause soft tissue lacerations
Dental abnormalities including hooks, waves, and steps cause discomfort during eating and bitting
Power floating under sedation enables more thorough correction of abnormalities than hand rasping alone
Horses with dental pain often show reduced feed intake, quidding (dropping food), and weight loss
Senior horses over 20 years require particularly careful dental management as tooth reserve decreases

Welfare Considerations

Dental discomfort is a common and underappreciated source of welfare compromise in horses. The gradual development of dental abnormalities means owners often normalize signs of discomfort including quidding and weight loss as normal aging. Annual dental examination enables early detection and correction before problems cause significant pain. Horses with corrected dental abnormalities often show improved body condition and behavioral willingness when bitted. Senior horses with limited tooth reserve need individualized assessment of dental wear and feeding management to maintain welfare.

What You Can Do

Schedule annual dental examination for all horses with a qualified equine dental technician or vet
Book twice-yearly examinations for horses over 20 years or those with known dental problems
Monitor horses for signs of dental discomfort including dropping food, excessive salivation, and reduced feed intake
Adjust feeding to softened or soaked feed for horses with inadequate dental wear to maintain body condition
Ensure your dentist uses a good light source and full-mouth speculum to assess all teeth including premolars