Equine dental health is vital for overall well-being, yet it’s often overlooked. The condition of your horse’s teeth affects not only their ability to chew properly but also their comfort, health, and riding performance. As herbivores with continuously growing teeth, horses are prone to dental issues and regular dental care is essential for preventing these problems.
Why Equine Dental Health Matters
- Proper Digestion: Horses need healthy teeth to chew food effectively. If they become uncomfortable from sharp enamel points or periodontal (gum) disease, they may avoid chewing properly, leading to dropping feed (increased wastage) and decreased digestibility of their food. This may lead to weight loss and nutrient deficiencies.
- Pain Prevention: Dental issues like sharp points, fractured teeth or periodontal disease can cause discomfort and difficulty eating. This can lead to cheek ulcers, reduced appetite, and behavioural changes.
- Improving Performance: Horses with dental pain may resist the bit, show discomfort when turning, tossing their head or chewing the bit, negatively affecting their training and performance.
The Role of Bite Shape in the development of Sharp Points
The horse’s bite shape plays a key role in the formation of sharp points. Horses chew in a lateral (side-to-side) motion, but their upper and lower molars don’t align perfectly. This misalignment causes uneven wear on the teeth, leading to sharp points on the outer edges of the upper molars and inner edges of the lower molars (see photo). These points can irritate the horse’s cheeks and tongue, causing pain while chewing and potentially affecting their ability to properly grind food.
Common Dental Issues
- Sharp Enamel Points
- Hooks: These are commonly found on the first and last cheek teeth (molars and premolars) and are a marked hook on the edge of the tooth. These can cause soft tissue damage in the mouth and lead to difficulty chewing.
- Fractured Teeth: If teeth fracture there is a risk of pulp exposure. The pulp is the core of the tooth containing the blood vessels and nerves supplying the tooth. Exposure of the pulp can lead to severe tooth pain and infection.
-
- Wave Mouth: In older horses, the persistent uneven wear or the teeth over time, poor diet quality and the continual growth of teeth over the horse’s lifetime, can lead to a condition called wave mouth (see photo).
Recognizing Dental Problems
Look out for these signs:
- Difficulty chewing or dropping food (quidding)
- Weight loss or poor appetite
- Excessive drooling or bad breath
- Resistance to the bit or head tossing when ridden
Best Practices for Maintaining Equine Dental Health
- Regular Dental Exams: Have your horse’s teeth checked at least annually. More frequent visits may be necessary for older horses (over 15 years old).
- Dental Floating: This procedure involves filing down sharp points and uneven wear which is essential for preventing discomfort.
- Dietary Care: A high-fibre diet of hay and grass naturally wears down teeth. Avoid too much soft feed, which can contribute to dental issues.
- Early Intervention: Be proactive about any changes in behaviour or eating habits. Early detection can prevent more serious health problems.
If you have any questions about your horses oral health or are wanting to book your horse in for their dental, call our helpful team on 07 4982 2552.