Dental problems are extremely common in horses and cause significant pain that affects eating, behavior, and performance, often going unrecognized.
Equine dental welfare is an area where significant suffering occurs due to gaps in owner knowledge and inconsistent access to qualified dental care. Sharp enamel points cause painful ulceration of the cheeks and tongue, making eating uncomfortable and causing behavior changes that are often interpreted as disobedience or training problems rather than pain responses. Horses with wave mouth, step mouth, or other serious dental abnormalities may be unable to chew feed effectively, losing body condition and experiencing nutritional deficiencies. The dramatic behavioral improvements seen in many horses following dental correction demonstrate the extent of pre-existing pain. Regular annual dental examinations and treatment by qualified equine dental technicians or veterinary dentists are fundamental welfare requirements for all horses.