Equine Welfare

Dental Disease in Horses: Prevention and Management

Equine dental health directly affects feeding efficiency, comfort, and overall wellbeing, making regular veterinary dental care essential.

Key Facts

Horses have hypsodont teeth that erupt continuously throughout life
Sharp enamel points on cheek teeth cause ulcers on cheeks and tongue
Dental issues affect up to 80% of horses over the age of 15
Wave mouth, hooks, and ramps are common abnormalities in older horses
Routine dental floating (rasping) every 6-12 months is recommended
Horses with dental pain may quid (drop food), lose weight, or resist the bit
Wolf teeth are small vestigial premolars that can cause bitting issues

Welfare Considerations

Undetected dental pain in horses leads to chronic discomfort during eating and under saddle. Horses mask pain effectively, making routine examination critical. Sedation for thorough oral examination is a welfare positive - it allows safe, complete assessment. Early treatment of sharp points, periodontal disease, and loose teeth prevents unnecessary suffering.

What You Can Do

Schedule annual or biannual dental checks with an equine vet or dental technician
Watch for signs of quidding, dropping feed, or head tilting while eating
Discuss wolf tooth removal if your horse shows bitting discomfort
Ensure older horses receive appropriate feed to compensate for reduced dental function
Ask about mouth speculums and sedation for thorough examination