Companion Animals

Companion Horse Dental Care and Welfare

Equine dental disease causes chronic pain, weight loss, and poor performance, and regular professional dental care is essential for horse welfare.

Key Facts

Horses develop sharp dental points requiring regular floating (rasping) for comfort
Dental disease affects approximately 50% of horses at any given time
Wolf teeth can cause bit discomfort and are usually removed
Horses with dental pain may show quidding (dropping feed), weight loss, and behaviour changes
Power tools in dental care require sedation for safe and thorough examination

Welfare Considerations

Horses with unaddressed dental disease eat less efficiently, lose body condition, and experience chronic oral discomfort. Regular professional dental examination every 6-12 months allows early identification and treatment. Dental care is one of the most impactful routine welfare interventions for horses.

What You Can Do

Schedule dental examination for your horse every 6-12 months
Recognise behavioural signs of dental discomfort including head tilting and resistance to the bit
Ensure dental work is performed by a qualified equine dental technician or vet under sedation