Companion Animals

Companion Horse Dental Welfare and Tooth Floating

Equine dental care and the welfare importance of regular dental assessment and rasping.

Key Facts

Horses continuously erupt teeth throughout their lives requiring regular dental management
Sharp enamel points cause mouth ulcers and discomfort during bit contact
Annual dental examination and rasping maintains optimal chewing function
Senior horses often develop wave mouth and other complex dental abnormalities
Dental pain frequently causes changes in eating behaviour and ridden performance

Welfare Considerations

Dental pain causes significant welfare deficit in horses that is frequently overlooked, and regular dental care is a fundamental welfare responsibility for horse owners.

What You Can Do

Schedule annual dental examinations by an equine dental technician or veterinarian
Watch for signs of dental pain including dropping food, head tilting, or weight loss
Invest in dental care as a priority welfare expenditure for your horse