Equine dental care is fundamental to horse welfare, as dental problems cause pain during eating and can profoundly affect ridden behavior when combined with poor bit fit.
Dental pain is one of the most common and undertreated welfare problems in horses. Sharp enamel points, fractured teeth, and periodontal disease cause chronic pain during eating and often go unrecognized because horses continue to eat despite significant discomfort. Dental pain interacting with bit pressure is a common cause of ridden behavioral problems that are frequently misattributed to training issues or behavioral stubbornness. Regular dental examination - at least annually - by a qualified equine dental technician or veterinary surgeon is essential preventive welfare care. Addressing dental pain often resolves behavioral issues without additional training intervention.