Equine dentistry has been around a long time, practiced by horse owners, those who acquired the skill by ‘learning while doing’ or as apprentices, and by graduates of horse dentistry courses. Veterinarians learn about tooth care for all animals during their four years of medical training.

For many decades, taking care of a horse’s teeth consisted mainly of ‘floating’, or filing off sharp points of enamel and keeping the teeth uniform to provide a level grinding surface. Wolf teeth, which are vestigial teeth that erupt or are impacted in the upper jaw in the space between the front teeth and back molars, were also removed, since that space is where the bit goes. Wolf teeth make any horse hard to train, since the signals of the rider are accompanied with random pain.

Today much more can be involved with caring for the equine mouth. Although many self-taught practitioners or graduates of equine dentistry courses follow the traditional practices, a veterinarian dental specialist will do much more. Starting when the horse is no more than six months old, the specialist will check for proper placement of the baby teeth, and make sure the upper and lower teeth meet correctly. Devices similar to braces are sometimes used to attempt correction of problems in ‘bite’, just as in human teenagers.

Many horse owners wait for the signs of mouth problems before they call for help. Seeing your horse holding its head sideways while eating, or stretched out awkwardly; finding excessive grain spilled around the feed tub or falling from its mouth as it chews; and seeing wet clumps of partially chewed hay in the stall are telltale signs. Another signal is ‘fighting the bit’, or head tossing when the horse is ridden. Waiting for these symptoms may allow tooth problems to get advanced or make the horse unwilling to be ridden.

After five years of age, the exams may be done yearly to be sure there are no points, broken teeth, gum infection, tooth decay, and mouth ulcers. Modern dentists often use sedation, dental mirrors and picks, various antibacterial washes and implants, and other means to keep a horse’s mouth, and thereby his whole system, free of infection.

When a horse gets to be twenty years old and older, tooth problems often make it hard for them to chew any sort of food properly, and they may require much more feed and still lose condition. Regular dental care can help to keep them comfortable and healthy to an advanced age.

Keeping the horse’s mouth balanced, so that it will chew on both sides of its mouth and can grind food efficiently, will prevent many other mouth and health problems. Equine dentistry used on a regular basis is as important to your horse’s well being as worming and hoof care.

Equine Dentistry

Looking to find the definitive source of information on Equine Dentistry?

Tags: Horses