Livestock

Horse Welfare and Dental Care: Performance and Comfort

Regular dental care is essential for horse welfare, with dental pain contributing to poor performance, weight loss, and behavioural problems.

Key Facts

Horses develop sharp enamel points on their cheek teeth that cause buccal ulcers
Routine dental examinations every 6-12 months are recommended
Dental pain is a leading but underdiagnosed cause of performance problems
Equine dental technicians and veterinary surgeons can perform routine rasping
Wolf teeth removal is commonly performed to prevent bit interference

Welfare Considerations

Dental problems in horses cause chronic pain that is often missed because horses mask discomfort well. Sharp enamel points, hooks, and wave mouth all impair mastication and may cause weight loss, quidding, and resistance under saddle. Regular dental examinations, ideally under sedation for thorough assessment, and appropriate floating (rasping) significantly improve comfort, body condition, and performance.

What You Can Do

Schedule dental examinations every 6-12 months with a qualified equine dentist or vet
Monitor for signs of dental pain: quidding, weight loss, head tossing under saddle
Ensure young horses have first dental checks before bitting
Ask your vet to assess dental health at annual health checks