Dental disease is one of the most common and welfare-significant conditions in horses, with sharp enamel points, periodontal disease, and retained caps causing chronic pain that affects eating, behaviour, and ridden performance.
Equine dental disease causes chronic, often hidden welfare compromise. Horses with dental pain alter their chewing patterns to avoid painful areas, reducing food breakdown efficiency and causing weight loss. Sharp points cause ulceration of the cheek mucosa. Periodontal disease causes gum and bone pain. Horses unable to signal pain directly often show behavioural signs — reluctance to accept the bit, head tossing, or reduced willingness to work — that are misattributed to training issues rather than welfare-related pain. Annual sedated dental examination by an equine dental technician or veterinary surgeon enables early detection and treatment of developing problems.