Learn About Your Horse's Teeth
horses nibble on each other along the top of the neck withers back and hindquarters.
Some horses are clever at using their teeth and lips to unfasten door latches or untie knots in ropes or may enjoy carrying objects around with their teeth
Common Dental Problems
Horses are prone to several tooth problems. These problems can result in poor health weight loss difficulty wearing a bit and behavior or performance problems when ridden or driven. Horses can have cracked loose or broken teeth from an accident. Baby teeth may not shed properly and could need the attention of an equine dentist or veterinarian. Uneven wear can cause sharp edges and hooks that require smoothing down to prevent irritation to the inside of the cheeks or tongue. Some horses have misaligned jaws that can be undershot or overshot also called parrot mouth which can cause wear and chewing problems.
Teeth can become infected and abscesses in the jaw can form if debris or plaque causes problems. Because the roots of some of the molars extend near the sinus cavity some infections can appear to be sinus problems. The yellowish or brownish color of the teeth is normal. The teeth do not stay pearlywhite because they become stained by the food eaten. However the gums should appear healthy pink. Any change of color can mean a health problem or a specific dental problem.
Dental Care
Horses need regular dental checkups just like people do. The frequency that a dentist or veterinarian needs to check a horses mouth depends on the horse. Generally once a year is sufficient. But some horses because of ongoing problems or the shape and size of its mouth may need more frequent checks. When your horses teeth are checked its age will be taken into account since some problems such as caps hooks and points are related to age. Your horse may need a bit seat or even need teeth removed. And when an older horse starts having problems grinding food due to worn or missing teeth a veterinarian can help you determine the best diet for your horse.
