Why does my horse need a dental exam?

About Your Horse's Teeth

Like humans, horses get two sets of teeth in their lifetime. The baby teeth, also called deciduous teeth, are temporary. These teeth begin to be replaced by adult teeth around age two. By age 5, most horses have their full set of permanent teeth.

A horse’s teeth are continuously erupting throughout their entire life. They also chew their food by moving their jaws from side to side in a figure 8 motion. The combination of these two factors results in the development of sharp points along the outside of the upper cheek teeth and along the inside of the lower cheek teeth. Over the course of a year, these points can develop enough to begin to damage the soft tissues in the mouth as your horse chews. Horses can also have dental abnormalities or poor dental conformation which will continually get worse if not addressed frequently.§

Common Dental Issues For Horses

Horses can experience a range of dental issues if their teeth are not properly maintained. Some examples include:

Signs Your Horse Is Having Dental Problems

If your horse is experiencing dental issues, they will likely display some of the following signs:

You know your horse better than anyone, so if they start showing signs or behaviors that are unlike them, then it may be time to schedule a dental appointment with our experienced equine and large animal vets at Red Hills Veterinary Hospital.

What Can Be Done To Correct This?

Having your veterinarian out to check your horse's teeth should ideally happen once a year, your Gillette equine or large animal veterinarian will perform what is commonly called 'floating.' Essentially they will be grinding down the points with a tool that looks like a large dremel.

Floating removes the sharp enamel points, smoothing out the teeth, correcting malocclusion, and correcting other dental problems. this is often performed under sedation, to limit the amount of stress put on your horse, and allow your equine vet the best opportunity to get their teeth fully taken care of without resistance.

Does My Horse's Age Affect Their Teeth?

Your horse's age does impact the level of care they may need. Once examined, your vet will have a better understanding of their needs. Here are some typical effects age has on dental care.

Is it time for your horse to have a dental exam, or is your horse displaying any concerning behaviors? Contact Red Hills Veterinary Hospital today to book an appointment. We pride ourselves on being Gillette's vet for large animals and horses.