Equine dentistry – is there a link to performance?

we should not fall into the trap that all horse performance issues can be corrected by rasping or realigning the teeth. In some cases it can be dangerous risking exposure of vital tooth structures if too much tooth is removed or placing immediate uneven pressures across the temporomandibular joint TMJ. These can create performance problems rather than cure them.
So how do I ensure my horse doesnt have these problems?
For routine dental visits rasping with proper balancing of the teeth to normalise the pressures across the arcades is recommended. In addition the importance of a really thorough oral and dental examination with a little sedation at every appointment cannot be overemphasised. This will allow identification of developing problems give options for early intervention and keep horses performing to the maximum of their ability. This thorough examination is key to healthy teeth. It may well involve a little sedation as well do not be put off by this as a proper examination with picks probes and a mirror are not easy to perform without and problems may be missed.