Dentistry Articles

Equine Dental Glossary

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Equine Dentistry
Learn to Recognize Your Horses Dental !roble"s
#its$ #itting and Dentistry
%he &"'ortance o( )aintaining the Health o( Your Horse*s )outh
+nderstanding Your Horse*s %eeth
Equine Dental ,are &s )ore %han -ust .loating
Dental E/a"ination

Equine Dental Glossary
by Mary Delorey, DVM
&ncisors 0 .ront teeth$ 1ust inside the li's$ used to gras'$ ni' and 'ull grass2and to bite you34
!re"olars 0 .irst three sets o( large chee5 teeth$ to' and botto" 1aws$ used (or grinding6 %here is
a (ull deciduous set (ollowed by a (ull 'er"anent set6
)olars 0 7econd three sets o( large chee5 teeth$ to' and botto" 1aws$ used (or grinding6 %here
are no deciduous "olars$ they eru't as 'er"anent teeth6
Deciduous 0 8#aby9 teeth6 %hey are re'laced by 'er"anent teeth6
!er"anent 0 8Adult9 teeth6 %hey are intended to re"ain (or the horses li(e6
Arcade 0 Re(ers to a row o( teeth 2i6e6 there are (our arcades o( chee5 teeth and two arcades o(
incisors46
:cclusion 0 %he contact 'oints o( o''osing teeth; occlusal sur(ace re(ers to the chewing or biting
sur(aces6
)alocclusion 0 Abnor"al contact between o''osing teeth6
8&n Wear9 0 %he 'oint in ti"e when o''osing teeth have reached su((icient height above the
gu"line to grind against one another6
Eru'tion 0 %he "ove"ent o( the tooth crown out (ro" the bone o( the 1aw into the "outh6
7hedding ca's 0 %he loss o( e/'ired baby teeth as the new 'er"anent teeth eru't to ta5e their
'lace6
,hee5 teeth 0 A general ter" used to indicate all the grinding teeth$ the 're"olars and "olars6
,rown 0 %he 'ortion o( the tooth that gradually eru'ts into the "outh and is used (or grinding$ not
the root6
)astication 0 %he act o( chewing or grinding (ood6
,a' 0 Horse"ans ter" (or a baby tooth as it sits in 'lace on the 'er"anent tooth ready to eru't6
5eywords< dental ter"inology 6
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Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Equine
Dentistry
by Mary DeLorey, DVM, Kettle alls, Washington

&t is co""on these days (or horses to live into their thirties and beyond6 %heir teeth$ however$
were really only develo'ed to last into their twenties under o'ti"u" conditions6 +n(ortunately$
the "a1ority o( our do"estic horses do not live under those o'ti"u" natural conditions in which
they evolved6 Everything we$ as equine veterinarians$ can do to 'revent the 're"ature attrition o(
the horse*s teeth will stand the" in better stead to live better$ longer lives6
.or instance$ "ost "a1or "alocclusions start as s"all discre'ancies when the horse is young$
o(ten when the 'er"anent teeth are 1ust eru'ting between the ages o( > =?>; and A years o( age6
7"all 'roble"s recognized and corrected at this age never turn into the large 'roble"s we
currently see in the older horse 'o'ulation6 A veterinarian well0trained in equine dentistry has the
s5ills to 'revent "ost$ i( not all$ "a1or dental 'roble"s that have 'reviously been acce'ted as an
inevitable 'art o( equine aging6 Did you 5now that all horses should receive a co"'rehensive
dental e/a"ination be(ore the age o( > =?>; and at least yearly therea(terB Did you 5now that by
the ti"e "ost owners recognize that their horse is having di((iculty eating or weight loss is
a''arent$ that horse*s dental condition is li5ely to be severely abnor"alB Did you 5now that
"any 'arrot0"outhed 2over bite4 or sow0"outhed 2under bite4 (oals can have near0nor"al bites
without surgery or orthodontics i( the condition is recognized earlyB Did you 5now that
'eriodontal disease is the nu"ber one cause o( tooth loss in the horseB Did you 5now a quali(ied
veterinarian can diagnose$ treat and0 in "any cases0 !"EVE#$ 'eriodontal diseaseB
&t "a5es little di((erence i( you are new to horse ownershi' or a seasoned 'ro(essional6 ,hances
are$ you "ay not be inti"ately (a"iliar with the e/'anding (ield o( equine dentistry6 Horse
owners o( various e/'erience levels have "any questions about 'ro'er dental care (or their
equine charges6 C)y horse is only D years old6 He doesn*t need his teeth loo5ed at66666 does heBC
CHow o(ten should "y brood"ares be e/a"inedBC What about "y daughter*s E0H "ountBC C)y
dressage horse is suddenly hanging on his right rein$ but "y vet 1ust (loated his teeth si/ "onths
ago6 What*s wrongBC C)y >A0year0old A''y is having trouble eating6 7he slobbers and dro's
wads o( hay6 ,ould it be her teethBC
%he answers to the above questions will vary with each individual horse and each individual
circu"stance6 %here are$ however$ so"e general tendencies based on a horse*s age$ gender$
career$ overall health and dental health that 'rovide guidelines (ro" which to "a5e
reco""endations6
.irst though$ a basic understanding o( how a horse chews and so"e rudi"entary 5nowledge o(
the anato"y is necessary to co"'rehend the need (or thorough dental care on a routine basis6
%he "ost basic di((erences between a horse*s teeth 2an herbivore or 'lant eater4 and the teeth o(
hu"ans or dogs or cats 2o"nivores and carnivores4 is that a horse*s teeth are not co"'letely
covered in ena"el$ and what is visible in the "outh is not "eant to last the horse*s entire li(e6
:"nivores 2creatures that eat all ty'es o( (ood (ro" vegetables to "eat4 and carnivores
2'redo"inantly "eat eaters4 have teeth that are co"'letely covered in hard ena"el$ which allows
their teeth to withstand the (orces necessary to chew their diet without wearing away the tooth
sur(ace6 Horse*s teeth are "ade u' o( vertical Ccolu"nsC o( three di((erent "aterials$ only one o(
which is ena"el6 %he other two "aterials$ dentin and ce"entu"$ are not as hard6 %his
con(iguration is actually designed to allow the horse*s teeth to slowly wear away as they grind
their coarse diet o( 'lant roughage6 &t*s o5ay that their teeth slowly wear away since as a given
a"ount o( tooth is used u'$ new tooth crown will eru't into the "outh to ta5e its 'lace at a rate o(
about D0E "" 'er year6 A horse*s 'er"anent teeth are about (our inches long3
%ig& '(
As you can i"agine$ "ost o( that length is hidden (ro" view in the 1aw and s5ull bones6 And i(
you do the "ath$ that*s enough tooth to last an average o( >A years under ideal circu"stances6
%hat Cideal circu"stanceC is the hitch in this 'icture6 &deal circu"stances (or the horse include the
(ollowing< re'roduction according to the (orces o( natural selection$ e/'osure to a varied diet
2including grasses (ro" (ine to coarse$ wild grains$ broad lea( 'lants and the (ine sand0li5e
silicates that acco"'any these 'lants$ herbs$ twigs$ leaves and even bar54 and$ "ost i"'ortantly$
e/'osure to these (orages >E hours a day$ every day o( their lives6 Does this environ"ent
rese"ble your horse*s li(estyleB Fot "ine$ and not li5ely yours6 Add two other (actors0 do"estic
horses are usually ridden or driven$ requiring co""unication through their "ouths$ and we
hu"ans e/'ect our equine 'artners to be with us a long$ long ti"e0 and you have a situation that
e/'ects and 'resu"es a lot o( the horse*s dentition6 Without a (airly regular 'rogra" o( correction
and "aintenance beginning early in li(e and 'eriodically as they age$ most do"estic horse*s teeth
will not wear 'ro'erly and will not (unction into old age$ e((ectively reducing his or her li(e s'an6
% ig& )(
A "ature horse has (ro" DG to EE teeth6 .ront to bac5$ he has si/G u''er and si/ lower incisors
2(ront teeth$ the ones you can see readily when you 'art his li's4 used (or ni''ing and tearing
(orage6 Geldings and stallions usually have (our canine teeth 2two u''er and two lower; these are
the teeth that you can see in the bars o( the "outh64 )ost horses will have two wol( teeth as
youngsters 2s"all$ shallow rooted teeth located 1ust in (ront o( the (irst chee5 tooth on the u''er
1aw$ occasionally also a''earing on the lower 1aw4$ which are ty'ically re"oved at about a year o(
age6 %hen there are => 're"olars and => "olars co"'rising the chee5 teeth$ the bul5 o( the
grinding a''aratus6 %hese are arranged si/ chee5 teeth to an arcade or row o( teeth 2two u''er
and two lower arcades46 %he chee5 teeth are 'ac5ed so closely together that they a''ear as one
long chewing sur(ace6 All together$ the horse*s "outh is 2or should be4 a highly s'ecialized and
(inely tuned grinding "achine$ uniquely and 'er(ectly suited (or its intended 'ur'ose6
%he bio"echanics o( "astication 'lays a "a1or role in how a horse wears his teeth6 %here are
two or three i"'ortant conce'ts here6 :ne is that the horse*s lower 1aw is narrower than his
u''er 1aw6 %his "eans that the two u''er arcades overhang the two lower arcades by =?E to =?>
inch6 %he teeth in the two lower arcades also sit slightly to the inside o( the u''er arcades6
%ig& *(
%he second conce't is that a horse "oves his 1aw in a roughly elli'tical 'attern when he chews6
He dro's the lower 1aw down$ "oves it over to the right or le(t$ brings it u' into contact with the
u''er teeth on that side$ then "oves the lower 1aw bac5 toward center$ grinding the lower teeth
across the chewing sur(ace o( the u''er teeth on that side6 Due to the above outlined anato"y$ it
is 'ossible (or the horse to chew on only one side at a ti"e6 %he third conce't is that each
individual horse*s 're(erences$ habits$ genetics$ con(or"ation$ diet and dental health deter"ine
whether or not he will wear both sides evenly or even i( each tooth in each arcade wears evenly
with its neighbors6
7ince "ost do"estic horses are not bred (or 'ro'er dental con(or"ation$ are not housed in such
a way that allows the" to browse on varied (orage (or at least =H hours 'er day$ are e/'ected to
begin wor5 very early in li(e$ and are e/'ected to re"ain active very late in li(e$ it "a5es sense
that we$ as their careta5ers$ should conscientiously address their dental health6
When does dental care (irst need to be addressedB %hat one has an easy answer< at birth3 At
least a cursory visual and digital ins'ection o( the (oal*s "outh should be 'er(or"ed by your
veterinarian during the Cwell0babyC e/a"ination the day o( or the day a(ter birth6 &n addition to the
rest o( the 'hysical e/a"ination$ your veterinarian will chec5 to "a5e sure that the (oal does not
have a severe over0 or under0bite that could "a5e nursing di((icult and 'redis'ose to other dental
abnor"alities as the (oal "atures6 &t*s also i"'ortant to "a5e sure that the (oal*s 'alate is nor"al
so that it can swallow without di((iculty6 &n the (irst two weeks o( li(e$ your (oal will eru't =G
deciduous 2baby4 teeth3
A (oal*s deciduous 're"olars 2see glossary4 are all in use within the (irst (ew wee5s o( li(e and
can soon start to wear abnor"ally i( they do not "eet u' 'ro'erly6 &( there*s an overbite$ (or
e/a"'le$ not only are the incisors "isaligned$ o(ten the baby*s 're"olars don*t "atch u' either
since the entire lower 1aw is too short6 %he 'ortion o( the tooth that overhangs will not have a
tooth sur(ace to grind against as the rest o( the tooth wears6 %he hoo50sha'ed overgrowths that
result can 'revent the lower 1aw (ro" growing to the length o( the u''er 1aw6 While there are
orthodontic devices and surgical re"edies to correct truly severe over0 and under0bites$ they are
e/'ensive$ di((icult to "aintain and have variable rates o( success6 Whenever a''ro'riate$ it is
(ar easier to let )other Fature do the best 1ob she can by 'eriodically re"oving the hoo5s$ ra"'s$
ridges$ etc6 that inhibit nor"al 1aw growth6 &n "any cases$ this is all that is necessary to correct a
"ild to "oderate over0 or under bite6
During the (irst year o( li(e$ in addition to => deciduous 're"olars$ the youngster also eru'ts two
"ore sets o( deciduous incisors$ (or a total o( =>6 All >E baby teeth are in 'lace by the age o(
about nine "onths6 At this age$ "ost horses will also eru't two wol( teeth and the (irst
'er"anent "olar set eru'ts behind the baby 're"olars6 #y the ti"e the (oal is a yearling$ he has
eru'ted >E to D@ teeth3 &( there have been no 'roble"s detected 'reviously$ it is strongly
reco""ended that a s5illed veterinary 'ro(essional 'er(or" a co"'lete dental e/a" on every
horse no later than =>0=H "onths o( age6 At this age$ all o( the deciduous teeth have been Cin
wearC long enough that their edges are li5ely very shar' 2re"e"ber how the chewing 'attern
wears the teeth46 )any owners do not realize that even very young horses need co"'rehensive
dental attention6 Deciduous teeth are so(ter than 'er"anent teeth and wear shar' edges "uch
(aster6 &t is not unco""on (or yearlings to have ulcers or lacerations on their chee5s and tongues
(ro" these razor shar' 'oints6 %he wol( teeth$ which beco"e shar' and can cause 'ain when the
horse is bitted$ are best re"oved as a yearling6 %his is a good ti"e to "a5e the young horse
co"(ortable and ensure that the stage is set (or the ne/t 'hase o( dental develo'"ent6
Your horse*s "outh undergoes the largest turnover o( deciduous to 'er"anent teeth between the
ages o( > and D =?> years6 He will lose two sets o( deciduous incisors and shed two sets o(
're"olars$ all to be re'laced by 'er"anent teeth6 He will have already eru'ted his second set o(
'er"anent "olars$ and the third set "ay be getting ready to eru't by D =?> years o( age6 %hat*s
u' to >E 'er"anent teeth in = =?> years3 &( certain baby teeth wait too long to (all out$ they are
ter"ed Cretained6C %he longer the baby teeth ta5e to Cshed$C the longer it ta5es (or the 'er"anent
ones to re'lace the" and beco"e use(ul (or "astication6 While it is detri"ental to re"ove
deciduous teeth be(ore the 'er"anent ones are ready to "ove into 'lace$ it is also 'otentially
troubleso"e to leave old baby teeth in 'lace too long6 &( 'airs o( deciduous teeth shed
asynchronously$ the corres'onding 'er"anent teeth eru't asynchronously also6 %his situation is
undesirable since it sets u' uneven chewing sur(aces in the "outh that the horse will have
di((iculty overco"ing on his own6 &ncisors can also be a((ected by i"balances caused by 'airs o(
teeth that eru't too early or too late6 %here(ore$ the attention o( a s5illed veterinary 'ro(essional
can be very i"'ortant in 'ro"'tly correcting i"balances and 're'aring the "outh (or nor"al adult
develo'"ent6
#y the age o( E =?> to A years o( age$ a young horse should have shed or be very close to
shedding the last deciduous teeth$ and all 'er"anent teeth should be eru'ted6 &t*s very 'ossible
that a horse "ay have retained a set o( baby incisors or even a set o( baby 're"olars at this
age6 %hese should "ost li5ely be re"oved6 #rand new 'er"anent teeth get very shar' very
quic5ly as the horse begins to use the" in earnest$ and should be s"oothed6 Geldings and
stallions "ay have (our canine teeth that are brea5ing through the gu" line at the age o( A
years6 %hese are the teeth easily visible in the s'ace between the incisors and the chee5 teeth6
7o"e horses e/'erience disco"(ort associated with the eru'tion o( these teeth$ which "ay
e/'lain (ussy behavior that a''ears suddenly during this ti"e6 %his is the ti"e to "a5e any s"all
ad1ust"ents to 5ee' the "outh in balance as the last 'er"anent teeth co"e into wear6
A note on canine teeth
#y G years o( age$ the only teeth not (ully eru'ted "ay be the canines in geldings and stallions6
As these teeth reach signi(icant size$ they can beco"e li5e s"all daggers 'rotruding (ro" the
gu"s6 While they do not inter(ere directly with the bit or any chewing sur(aces$ their shar' edges
can be quite 'ain(ul as they contact the tongue and li's during eating and bitting6 &t is co""on
'ractice to reduce the height o( these teeth and round the to's so that they are non0irritating6
%hey serve no use(ul 'ur'ose in do"estic horses$ so shortening the" is not detri"ental6 Also
note that occasionally$ a "are will have canine teeth6 %hey are usually "uch s"aller than their
"ale counter'arts*$ but they should be addressed si"ilarly6
:nce your horse has reached the age o( G years$ all his 'er"anent teeth are in 'osition and in
use6 &( your horse has had 'eriodic$ co"'rehensive dental care u' to this ti"e and has no severe
"alocclusions or dental disease$ he*s well0'oised (or li(elong dental health6 He should receive
"aintenance care$ including s"oothing o( shar' edges$ "inor rebalancing and troubleshooting
every H0=> "onths6 Horses that are in de"anding co"'etition$ have heightened sensitivity or
're0e/isting dental abnor"alities "ay need routine attention "ore (requently$ 'erha's every si/
"onths$ to "aintain dental health and co"(ort6 Each horse is an individual with unique needs6 A
veterinarian s5illed in equine dentistry can wor5 with you to deter"ine a schedule "ost
a''ro'riate (or your horse6
Horses over the age o( =G to =H that have had regular$ s5illed dental "aintenance "ay require
little "ore than a younger horse with si"ilar care6 &n general$ however$ there are so"e things
that need 'eriodic "onitoring6 &n the older horse$ the crown that has been slowly eru'ting out o(
the 1aw over his entire li(e is running out6 %his 'rogression brings with it the tendency toward
'eriodontal 2gu"4 disease$ the increased 'ossibility o( (ractured teeth$ diseased roots and loose
teeth6 %here are "any di((erent ways to a''roach these 'roble"s$ and "ore wor5 is being done
to understand the best "anage"ent o'tions6 :(ten$ early 'eriodontal disease can be
success(ully treated with (ocused cleaning and local use o( s'ecial antibiotics and 'rotective
"aterials6 Loose teeth recognized early can be shortened and rested so that the o''osing tooth
is not continuously grinding against it6 7o"e o( these "ay reestablish their (ir" connections6
:ther loose$ da"aged or diseased teeth are best re"oved6 #ut$ then regular "aintenance is still
i"'ortant since the surrounding teeth "ay "igrate into the s'ace created by tooth e/traction6
Again$ a horse that has had regular$ s5illed dental care during his youth and "iddle age is "uch
less li5ely to develo' signi(icant 'roble"s in his golden years6
!erha's the "ost co"'elling argu"ent (or the value o( co"'rehensive equine dental care is the
co"(ort (actor6 Equine veterinarians s5illed in dentistry are constantly a"azed at how "uch
disco"(ort horses will endure without any overt signals to their owners6 Horses are eating
C"achines6C %hey are designed to eat at least =H hours a day6 %his is a survival instinct dee'ly
ingrained in their very cells6 )ost horses will continue to eat and will ada't to the di((iculty or the
disco"(ort until the 'ain is so severe or until "echanical (orces "a5e it 'hysically i"'ossible to
do so6 &t is not unco""on (or otherwise very conscientious owners to be sur'rised$ a''alled and
then e"barrassed that their equine (riend has endured such 'ain or di((iculty (or so long without
co"'laint6 #y the ti"e the average owner notices a C'roble"$C the abnor"alities inside the
"outh are li5ely to be severe6
:ne o( the "ost i"'ortant conce'ts that horse owners can e"brace (ro" all this is that
prevention is the absolute 5ey to good equine dental health6 %he idea that a horse doesn*t need
dental attention until he is in his or her "iddle age "ust disa''ear6 %he tendency to abnor"ally
wear the teeth is usually 'resent very early in li(e6 )inor abnor"alities detected at the age o( = to
A years can usually be easily corrected and need never beco"e an issue6 &( the sa"e 'roble"s
are le(t undiagnosed until that horse is older$ "uch "ore aggressive techniques are required to
correct the situation6 &n certain circu"stances$ the 'roble" "ay beco"e so severe that it is not
correctable at all6 Even in such severe cases$ there is "uch the veterinarian$ e/'erienced in
equine dentistry$ can do to "a5e that horse co"(ortable and as healthy as 'ossible6
What i( you*ve 1ust 'urchased a A0year0old dressage 'ros'ect$ a =@0year0old barrel horse or a =A0
year0old 'ony hunter and you don*t 5now what level o( dental attention this new horse has
received throughout his li(eB %he sooner you arrange (or a veterinary 'ro(essional s5illed in
equine dentistry to 'er(or" a co"'rehensive e/a"ination$ the better6 )any$ "any horses have
never had their teeth e/a"ined at all by the age o( A or =@$ or even =A3 -ust because the horse
has been C(loatedC be(ore does not necessarily "ean that he has ever had a co"'rehensive
e/a" and equilibration6 %here is an entire 1ungle o( abnor"alities that can develo' even by the
age o( A or G that C(loatingC will not address6 CWaves$C Cste'sC and Cra"'sC develo' when so"e
o( the teeth in an arcade re"ain too tall and cause the o''osing teeth to beco"e over0worn$
giving a roller coaster a''earance to the line o( teeth as you sight (ro" (ront to bac56 CHoo5sC on
the u''er (irst chee5 tooth or lower last chee5 tooth can overhang the o''osing tooth and i"'ede
1aw "ove"ent or can even dig into the o''osing gu"s6
2+ig ,(
&ncisors can develo' abnor"alities o( wear and "eet at a diagonal or curve instead o( a straight
line$ "a5ing balanced (unction o( the 1aws i"'ossible6
Digital incisor bite with o++set -aw
!eriodontal disease is co""on in "iddle0aged horses that have not received regular
co"'rehensive dental care6 :( course$ the longer these ty'es o( abnor"alities go unaddressed$
the "ore severe and the "ore di((icult to correct they beco"e6 A veterinary 'ro(essional
e/'erienced in equine dentistry is also acutely aware o( the i"'ortance o( "ore subtle issues6
%here are integral conce'ts such as incisor length and angle$ interocclusal s'ace$ occlusal
angles$ lateral e/cursion and quality and degree o( 're"olar and "olar contact that should be
addressed in each and every horse6
%he recent advances in veterinary dental health care are i"'ressive$ and "ore research is
underway in veterinary schools and clinics6 Horses and their owners are bene(iting (ro" this
wealth o( 5nowledge so that horses are living longer and "ore active lives6 &t is no longer
unco""on (or horses to live into their late thirties6 &( we want our equine 'artners to re"ain
healthy and ha''y$ it is i"'ortant that we do everything we can to ensure that they are able to eat
2and wor54 co"(ortably and e((ectively6 A s5illed veterinarian can 'revent "ost abnor"alities
(ro" ever beco"ing a 'roble"$ thereby "a/i"izing the use(ul li(e o( each tooth in your horse*s
head6 )odern equine dentistry co"bines thorough 5nowledge o( anato"y and bio"echanics$
current research and clinical (indings with the "ost advanced equi'"ent and the sa(est drugs to
o'ti"ize your horse*s dental health (or a li(eti"e6 ,o"'rehensive dental care delivered regularly
by an e/'erienced veterinary 'ro(essional "ay be one o( the "ost bene(icial health care services
you can 'rovide your horse6
'osted by rose
5eywords< Equine Dentistry 6
'osted< =?G?>@@A6 Last u'dated< =?G?>@@A
Learn to "ecogni.e Your /orse0s Dental !roble1s
by Written by the AAE!
Horses with dental 'roble"s "ay show obvious signs$ such as 'ain or irritation$ or they
"ay show no noticeable signs at all6 %his is because so"e horses si"'ly ada't to their
disco"(ort6 .or this reason$ 'eriodic dental e/a"inations are essential to your horses health6
&t is i"'ortant to catch dental 'roble"s early6 &( a horse starts behaving abnor"ally$ dental
'roble"s should be considered as a 'otential cause6 Waiting too long "ay increase the di((iculty
o( re"edying certain conditions or "ay even "a5e re"edy i"'ossible6 Loo5 (or the (ollowing
indicators o( dental 'roble"s (ro" the A"erican Association o( Equine !ractitioners 2AAE!4 to
5now when to see5 veterinary attention (or your horse<
=6 Loss o( (eed (ro" "outh while eating$ di((iculty with chewing$ or e/cessive salivation6
>6 Loss o( body condition6
D6 Large or undigested (eed 'articles 2long ste"s or whole grain4 in "anure6
E6 Head tilting or tossing$ bit chewing$ tongue lolling$ (ighting the bit$ or resisting bridling6
A6 !oor 'er(or"ance$ such as lugging on the bridle$ (ailing to turn or sto'$ even buc5ing6
G6 .oul odor (ro" "outh or nostrils$ or traces o( blood (ro" the "outh6
I6 Fasal discharge or swelling o( the (ace$ 1aw or "outh tissues6
:ral e/a"s should be an essential 'art o( an annual 'hysical e/a"ination by a veterinarian6
Every dental e/a" 'rovides the o''ortunity to 'er(or" routine 'reventative dental "aintenance6
)ature horses should get a thorough dental e/a" at least once a year$ and horses > JA years old
should be e/a"ined twice yearly6
.or "ore in(or"ation about 'ro'er dental care$ as5 your equine veterinarian (or 8Dental ,are<
%he &"'ortance o( )aintaining the Health o( Your Horses )outh$9 a brochure 'rovided by the
AAE! in con1unction with Educational !artner #ayer Ani"al Health6 Additional in(or"ation is
available on the AAE!s horse health Web site$ www6"yHorse)atters6co"6
%he A"erican Association o( Equine !ractitioners$ headquartered in Le/ington$ Ky6$ was (ounded
in =KAE as a non0'ro(it organization dedicated to the health and wel(are o( the horse6 ,urrently$
AAE! reaches "ore than A "illion horse owners through its over I$A@@ "e"bers worldwide and
is actively involved in ethics issues$ 'ractice "anage"ent$ research and continuing education in
the equine veterinary 'ro(ession and horse industry6
'osted< =>?=K?>@@D6 Last u'dated< =>?=K?>@@D
2its, 2itting and Dentistry
by "&D& 3coggins, DVM
%he "outh o( the horse is the 'rinci'le "eans o( co""unication between the horse and
rider or driver6 :bviously$ other aids are used as well$ but (or "any$ the bit is what deter"ines
direction$ rate o( s'eed and 'osition or (ra"e in which the horse "oves6 Horses are the only
do"estic ani"als that have their "ouths used in this (ashion6
%he design and (unction o( the horses "outh is such that it 'rovides a 'er(ect vehicle (or use as
a 8steering device69 %he interdental s'ace allows a bit to lie co"(ortably without inter(ering with
the nor"al 'osition o( the 1aws when they close6 %he tongue$ in "ost instances$ is less "obile
than in cats$ dogs$ cattle$ shee' or goats6 %he horse does not have a need to chew its cud
2ru"inate4 as do ru"inant ani"als$ and it does not nor"ally la' water or lic5 ob1ects as "uch as
a dog or cat6
&nterestingly$ being in control is 'ri"arily a hu"an conce't6 Hu"ans see5 'raise$ recognition and
control6 Horses see5 'eace and quiet6 %hey are not interested in being in control$ nor in being
controlled6 #y allowing the"selves to be controlled$ they e/'ress their attitude and willingness to
sub"it to do"estication6 ,o"'are the average do"estic horse with what is 5nown about
atte"'ts to train truly wild s'ecies li5e zebras or !rezewals5i horses6 #oth are nearly untrainable
unless they are weaned by day three and hand raised by 5nowledgeable 'eo'le6
,ontrol o( the horses head was recognized (ro" the beginning o( ti"e as a necessary "eans to
control the whole horse6 #its were develo'ed several thousand years ago and have seen little
change since with so"e re(ine"ents in "anu(acturing$ but the "echanical 'rinci'les have
re"ained the sa"e6 A 'iece o( "edal is held in 'lace in the interdental s'ace so as to lie across
the tongue and the bars o( the "outh6 Reins are attached and the horse learns direction and the
acce'table res'onse< go right; go le(t; sto'; bac5 u'6 Each generation o( hu"ans "ust learn how
to co""unicate these directions to the horse$ as each generation o( horses "ust learn how to
res'ond6
%eaching a horse to correctly wear and res'ond to the bit is a contact s'ort$ li5e dancing or
wrestling6 %o a''reciate all the variations$ it is necessary to D: &%6
,orrectly bitting a horse has very little to do with "echanics6 &t has everything to do with (eel$
ti"ing and balance6 &t is "uch "ore an art (or" than a science6 &n the hands o( so"e individuals$
a co"'le/ high0'ort0curb bit is an instru"ent o( co""unication with all o( the delicacy o( 'laying
a violin6 &n another 'ersons hands$ a thic5 hollow0"outhed sna((le "ay be as dangerous as a
surgical scal'el in the hands o( a "on5ey6
%he (irst consideration in 'lacing a bit in a horses "outh is to be sure there are no abnor"alities
within the "outh that "ay cause disco"(ort6 :ld in1uries such as scars$ shar' or abnor"ally
located teeth$ "issha'en 1aws or 'revious tongue in1uries should all be noted and the necessary
corrections "ade6 )any trainers are having their veterinarian do a 8'er(or"ance (loat9 o( their
horses teeth be(ore introducing the horse to the bit6 %hey re"ove all shar' edges 'lus rounding
the (ront corners o( the (irst chee5 teeth$ both u''er and lower6 %his allows "ore roo" (or "outh
tissues and reduces disco"(ort when the reins are tightened and bit 'ressure increased6 Wol(
teeth and "ature ca's are also re"oved as needed6 !ro'erly 'er(or"ed dental wor5 is o(ten
credited with 'utting 8'ower steering9 on a horse that 'reviously had di((iculty wearing or
acce'ting the bit6
%he structure and available s'ace (or carrying the bit varies with each horse6 %he older the horse
beco"es$ the "ore roo" is 'resent6 %his is 'artly the reason the bitting 'rocess is o(ten done
ste'0wise$ introducing "ore co"'licated "outh'ieces as the horse ages and increases in level o(
training6 -unior western horses are o(ten shown in sna((le bits or hac5a"ores through their (ourth
or (i(th year o( age6 #y this ti"e$ all o( their 'er"anent teeth are 'resent and in wear so; at least$
dental changes are "ini"al (ro" then on6
7ize and sha'e o( the bit is i"'ortant6 )ost "outh'ieces should (it (ro" side to side as to allow
one0hal( inch o( s'ace between the li' and ring or shan56 %oo narrow$ and it 'inches; to wide$ and
the bit tilts$ roc5s and "oves around too "uch in the horses "outh6 E/cess width also 'revents
the bit (ro" staying centered$ thus increasing its annoyance and reducing its e((ectiveness6
A nu"ber o( a''roaches are used to teach a horse to res'ond to the bit6 7o"e rely on (orce and
"a5ing the horse do it6 :thers de'end on teaching a horse to give to 'ressure6 %he horse learns
not to 'ull on the riders hands6 %his usually begins with teaching the horse to release laterally by
bending its nec5 and rela/ing its 1aw6 %his eventually trans(ers to (le/ing vertically$ which is "ore
di((icult (or the horse6 E/ercises$ such as teaching the horse to bend laterally both ways until it
can touch its "uzzle to the riders (oot on both sides$ increases lateral (le/ibility6 Lertically (le/ing
with its head at various heights hel's to teach res'onse balance6 Learning to (ollow the (eel o(
'ressure and lowering its head all the way to the ground$ are s5ills that can be used to increase a
horses su''leness and increase its so(tness and res'onsiveness6 &t beco"es a challenge and a
ga"e to see how so(t and su''le the horse can beco"e6
&n the beginning$ bitting can start with the horse standing$ then at a wal5$ then at a trot$ then
canter6 As with everything in training$ it is 'rogressive and the better it is learned at the slower
gait$ the easier it will beco"e6 As the s'eed increases$ so does the di((iculty6 )ost 'eo'le (ind a
wor5ing trot is an e((ective gait to begin teaching a horse to yield and (le/6 Larious 'atterns$
calisthenics and e/ercises can be used to teach a horse to res'ond to the bit over ti"e6 Each
horse is an individual and will have individual traits and quir5s that will 'resent the"selves as a
challenge to the rider6
&t is i"'ortant that the horse res'ects the bit but never beco"e a(raid o( it6 Either lac5 o( res'ect
or (ear will cause the horse to beco"e sti(( and brace against the bit6 %his can result in hollowing
o( the bac5$ sti((ness in "ove"ent$ running away$ rearing or buc5ing6 7o(tness$ on the horses
'art$ and res'ect(ul obedience$ are what is desired6
#its co"e in two di((erent (or"s with in(inite variations to each6 7na((le bits are considered to be
direct 'ull bits where the rein 'ull is equal to the 'ressure in the horses "outh6 Generally$ sna((le
bits are considered to be relatively "ild bits6 )outh'iece design 'lus increased leverage (ro" use
o( draw reins or running "artingales can create a seriously aggressive and even trau"atic bit6
,urb bits are leverage bits6 %he degree o( leverage 'lus the style o( "outh'iece can change the
'otential severity6 Leverage increases as the lower shan5 lengthens6 %he (iner the "outh'iece
2s"aller in dia"eter4$ the "ore severe the bit6 High 'orts$ hinged "outh'ieces and 'ro1ections
below the level o( the bars o( the bit increase severity also6
:ther s'ecialty bits are designed (or s'eci(ic 'roble"s6 %he intent o( the use o( bits is (or
co""unication6 A visit to "ost any tac5 sho' would "ore li5ely suggest they are designed (or
8control69 %he intent would a''ear to be that control is achieved through disco"(ort or 'ain6 With
the horse$ nothing could be (arther (ro" the truth6 !ain causes a horse to atte"'t to evade or
esca'e6
!ro'er bitting achieves so(tness$ lightness and res'onsiveness and co"es only (ro" care(ul
training$ not (orce6 .orce "ay result in (ra"e$ but it is (ro" (ear$ not con(idence$ and is easily
distinguished once the di((erence is seen6
A large variety o( hac5a"ores have been tried on horses and develo'ed over the years6 :riginally
braided rawhide bosals were introduced (ro" 7'anish in(luence6 %hese were braided nosebands
with reins attached6 :ther (or"s have been s'in0o((s and include everything (ro" ro'e halters to
lariat ro'e$ leather covered "etal$ hard 'lastic and seg"ented nosebands that can colla'se and
create signi(icant 'ressure when the reins are 'ulled6 7ide0'ulls$ an Anglo version o( a 7'anish
hac5a"ore$ are 'o'ular with the stoc5 horse breed trainers6 English riders have long used their
version o( the side0'ull and call it a 81u"'ing hac5a"ore69 %raditional hac5a"ores are used
si"ilar to sna((le bits in that they are "ost e((ective (or lateral control6 %hey are used to 'rotect the
young horses "outh (ro" the bit6 7"all dia"eter bosals are used in co"bination with curb bits to
advance the horse in training to eventually being 8straight u'9 in the bridle6
Dr6 R6W6 ,oo5$ (or"ally at %u(ts +niversity ,ollege o( Leterinary )edicine$ has beco"e involved
with what he calls 8%he #itless #ridle69 Dr6 ,oo5 has contended (or so"eti"e that bits are
counter'roductive to nor"al horse (unction6 A website$ 8%he #itless #ridle$9 e/'lains the (unction
and use o( this headstall6 !ersonal e/'erience indicates it has a wide variety o( uses6 &t has been
es'ecially use(ul in starting youngsters6
With all o( these alternatives to bits$ 'ulling on the reins creates 'ressure along the outer edge o(
the horses chee5s6 %his results in 'ressing the inner0sur(ace o( the horses chee5s against the
outer edges o( the u''er chee5 teeth6
Dentistry 'er(or"ed be(ore the young horse enters its (irst stage o( training has "any bene(its6 &t
"ini"izes the ris5 o( creating a negative res'onse$ such as head tossing or bracing6 &( dental
'roble"s e/ist$ such as shar' ena"el 'oints$ loose ca's and 'resence o( wol( teeth$ the use o(
hac5a"ore0ty'e headstalls will not correct the training 'roble"s6 .i/ the dental 'roble"s (irst6
%he "ost i"'ortant lesson learned by the rider$ is increased awareness6 %he rider will learn to
recognize the horses slightest try and reward it by releasing 'ressure6 %his requires ti"ing and
(eel$ both o( which are acquired with 'ractice and e/'erience6 %he results are de(initely worth the
e((ort3
'osted< >?A?>@@D6 Last u'dated< >?A?>@@D
$he 415ortance o+ Maintaining the /ealth o+ Your
/orse6s Mouth
Routine dental care is essential to your horse*s in health6 !eriodic e/a"inations and
regular "aintenance$ such as (loating$ are es'ecially necessary today (or a nu"ber o( reasons<
We have "odi(ied the horse*s diet and eating 'atterns through do"estication and
con(ine"ent6
We de"and "ore (ro" our 'er(or"ance horses$ beginning at a younger age, than ever
be(ore.
We o(ten select breeding ani"als without regard to dental considerations6
Proper dental care has its rewards. Your horse will be more comfortable, will utilize feed
more efficiently, may perform better, and may even live longer.
THE HORSE'S MOUTH
Horses evolved as grazing animals, and their teeth are perfectly adapted for that purpose.
The forward teeth, known as incisors, function to shear off forage. The cheek teeth,
including the molars and premolars with their wide, flat, graveled surfaces, easily grind
the feed to a mash before it is swallowed.
Like humans, horses get two sets of teeth in their lifetime. The baby teeth, also called
deciduous teeth, are temporary. The first deciduous incisors may erupt before the foal is
born. The last baby teeth come in when the horse is about months of age. These teeth
begin to be replaced by adult teeth around age ! "#!. $y age %, most horses have their full
complement of permanent teeth. &n adult male horse has '( permanent teeth. & mare
may have between )*+'(, because mares are less likely to have canine ,bridle- teeth.
The following chart shows the appro.imate ages at which different teeth erupt. $y
referring to it, you may detect potential abnormalities of your own horse associated with
teething. /or more information, refer to the Official Guide for Determining the Age of the
Horse, published by the &merican &ssociation of 01uine Practitioners.
Deciduous (Baby Teeth)
"st incisors ,centrals- $irth or "st week
!nd incisors ,intermediates- '+* weeks
)rd incisors ,corners- *+2 months
"st, !nd, 3 )rd premolars ,cheek teeth- $irth or first ! weeks for all premolars

Permanent (Adut Teeth)
"st incisors ,centrals- ! "#! years
!nd incisors ,intermediates- ) "#! years
)rd incisors ,corners- ' "#! years
4anines ,bridle- '+% years
5olf teeth ,"st premolars- %+* months
!nd premolars ,"st cheek teeth- ! "#! years
)rd premolars ,!nd cheek teeth- ) years
'th premolars ,)rd cheek teeth- ' years
"st molars ,'th cheek teeth- 2+"! months
!nd molars ,%th cheek teeth- ! years
)rd molars ,*th cheek teeth- ) "#! + ' years
!OMMO" DE"TA# !"72LEM3
Horses "ay su((er (ro" "any dental 'roble"s6 %he "ost co""on include<
7har' ena"el 'oints (or"ing on chee5 teeth$ causing lacerations o( chee5s and tongue
Retained ca's 2deciduous teeth that are not shed4
Disco"(ort caused by bit contact with the wol( teeth
Hoo5s (or"ing on the u''er and lower chee5 teeth
Long and?or shar' canine 2bridle4 teeth inter(ering with the insertion or re"oval o( the bit
Lost and?or bro5en teeth
Abnor"al or uneven bite 'lanes
E/cessively worn teeth
Abnor"ally long teeth
&n(ected teeth and?or gu"s
)isalign"ent?'oor a''osition 2can be due to congenital de(ects or in1ury4
!eriodontal 2gu"4 disease
"E87G#494#G DE#$AL !"72LEM3
Horses with dental 'roble"s "ay show obvious signs$ such as 'ain or irritation$ or they "ay
show no noticeable signs at all6 %hat is due to the (act that so"e horses si"'ly ada't to their
disco"(ort6 .or this reason$ 'eriodic dental e/a"inations are essential6 &ndicators o( dental
'roble"s include<
Loss o( (eed (ro" "outh while eating$ di((iculty with chewing$ or e/cessive salivation
Loss o( body condition
Large or undigested (eed 'articles 2long ste"s or whole grain4 in "anure
Head tilting or tossing$ bit chewing$ tongue lolling$ (ighting the bit$ or resisting bridling
!oor 'er(or"ance$ such as lugging on the bridle$ (ailing to turn or sto'$ even buc5ing
.oul odor (ro" "outh or nostrils$ or traces o( blood (ro" the "outh
Fasal discharge or swelling o( the (ace$ 1aw$ or "outh tissues
:ral e/a"s should be an essential 'art o( an annual 'hysical e/a"ination by a veterinarian6
Every dental e/a" 'rovides the o''ortunity to 'er(or" routine 'reventative dental "aintenance6
%he end result is a healthier$ "ore co"(ortable horse6
L7A$4#G : !"EVE#$A$4VE MA4#$E#A#8E
%he 'rocess o( ras'ing or (iling a horse*s teeth is 5nown as (loating6 %his is the "ost co""on
dental 'rocedure veterinarians 'er(or" on horses6 .loating re"oves shar' ena"el 'oints and
can create a "ore even bite 'lane6 &t also hel's 5ee' incisors and chee5 teeth at a desirable
length6
When turned out on 'asture$ horses browse al"ost continuously$ 'ic5ing u' dirt and grit in the
'rocess6 %his$ 'lus the silicate in grass$ wears down the teeth6 7tabled horses$ however$ "ay not
give their teeth the sa"e wor5out6 .eedings are "ore a't to be scheduled$ not continuous$ and to
include 'rocessed grains and hays6 7o(ter (eeds require less chewing6 %his "ay allow the horse*s
teeth to beco"e e/cessively long or to wear unevenly6 Adult horse*s teeth eru't throughout their
li(e and are worn o(( by chewing6
+n(ortunately$ chee5 teeth tend to develo' shar' ena"el 'oints even under nor"al grazing
conditions6 #ecause the horse*s lower 1aw is narrower than its u''er 1aw and the horse grinds its
(eed with a sideways "otion$ shar' 'oints tend to (or" along the edges6 !oints (or" on the chee5
side o( the u''er teeth and the tongue side o( the lower teeth6 %hese 'oints should be ras'ed to
'revent the" (ro" cutting the chee5s and tongue6
.loating is es'ecially i"'ortant in horses who have lost a tooth$ or whose teeth are in 'oor
a''osition and do not (it together well6 For"ally$ contact with the a''osing tooth 5ee's biting
sur(aces equal6 When chee5 teeth are out o( align"ent$ hoo5s can (or"6
&( le(t unchec5ed$ these hoo5s can beco"e long enough to 'enetrate the hard or so(t 'alate6
7"all hoo5s can be re"oved by (loating6 Longer hoo5s are usually re"oved with "olar cutters or
a dental chisel6
W7L $EE$/
Wol( teeth are very s"all teeth located in (ront o( the second 're"olar and do not have long roots
that set the" (ir"ly in the 1aw bone6 %hey rarely a''ear in the lower 1aw6 A horse "ay have one$
two$ or no wol( teeth6 While not all wol( teeth are troubleso"e$ veterinarians routinely re"ove
the" to 'revent 'ain or inter(erence (ro" a bit6
$/E AGE A8$7"
%he age o( a horse a((ects the degree o( attention and (requency o( dental care required6
,onsider these 'oints<
Horses going into training (or the (irst ti"e$ es'ecially >0 and D0year0olds$ need a
co"'rehensive dental chec50u'6 %eeth should be (loated to re"ove any shar' 'oints and
chec5ed (or retained ca's6 ,a's should be re"oved i( they have not been shed6 %his
should be done be(ore training begins to 'revent training 'roble"s related to shar' teeth6
Even yearlings have been (ound to have ena"el 'oints shar' enough to da"age chee5
and tongue tissue6 .loating "ay i"'rove (eed e((iciency and "a5e the" "ore
co"(ortable6
Horses aged >0A "ay require "ore (requent dental e/a"s than older horses6 Deciduous
teeth tend to be so(ter than 'er"anent teeth and "ay develo' shar' ena"el 'oints "ore
quic5ly Also$ there is an e/traordinary a"ount o( dental "aturation during this 'eriod6
%wenty0(our teeth will be shed and re'laced during this ti"e$ with the 'otential (or => to
=G teeth to be eru'ting si"ultaneously6 Horses in this age grou' should be e/a"ined
twice yearly$ and any necessary 'rocedures should be 'er(or"ed6
Even the best dental 'rogra" "ay not be able to solve or alleviate all o( a young horse*s
teething disco"(ort6
)ature horses should get a thorough dental e/a"ination at least once a year$ whether or
not there are signs o( tooth 'roble"s6
&t is i"'ortant to "aintain an even bite 'lane during a horse*s "iddle teens in order to
ensure a level grinding sur(ace into its >@s6 &( you wait until the horse is in its >@s$ the
sur(aces "ay be worn e/cessively and?or unevenly$ and since the teeth are no longer
eru'ting at this age$ align"ent "ay be i"'ossible6
DEVEL7!4#G G"EA$E" AWA"E#E33
&( a horse starts behaving abnor"ally$ dental 'roble"s should be considered as a
'otential cause6
%eeth should be (loated and "aintained as indicated by an annual e/a"ination 'er(or"ed
by an equine 'ractitioner6
Wol( teeth are routinely e/tracted (ro" 'er(or"ance horses to 'revent inter(erence with
the bit and its associated 'ain6
7edatives$ local anesthetics$ and analgesics can rela/ the horse and 5ee' it "ore
co"(ortable during (loating and other dental 'rocedures6 7uch drugs should be
ad"inistered only by a veterinarian6
Loose teeth are generally unhealthy teeth6 &( your equine 'ractitioner (inds a loose tooth$
he or she will li5ely e/tract it6 %his reduces the chance o( in(ection or other 'roble"s6
,anine teeth$ generally 'resent in "ature geldings and stallions and so"eti"es "ares$
are usually cli''ed and (iled s"ooth to 'revent inter(erence with the bit6 %his also reduces
the 'ossibility o( in1ury to both horse and hu"an6
De'ending on the condition o( your horse*s teeth$ "ore than one visit (ro" your equine
'ractitioner "ay be required to get the "outh in 'ri"e wor5ing order6
&t is i"'ortant to catch dental 'roble"s early6 Waiting too long "ay increase the di((iculty
o( re"edying certain conditions or "ay even "a5e re"edy i"'ossible6
:lder horses should have their teeth chec5ed at least twice yearly6
M7"E 3E"47;3 DE#$AL A4LME#$3
7erious dental conditions can develo'$ such as in(ections o( the teeth and gu"s$ e/tre"ely long
hoo5s on the "olars$ lost or (ractured teeth$ and others6 %hese conditions "ay require surgical
treat"ent and?or e/traction by a veterinarian6 Your equine 'ractitioner can reco""end the best
treat"ent.
'osted< G?=G?>@@>6 Last u'dated< G?=G?>@@>
;nderstanding Your /orse6s $eeth
by Manuel G& /i1enes <r&, DVM
Horses have a unique dental structure6 %heir teeth are divided into two "a1or sections< the
incisors$ which are the teeth seen in the (ront o( the horse*s "outh$ and the chee5 teeth$ "ade u'
o( the 're"olars and "olars6 %he "olars and 're"olars are lined u' tightly against each other$
creating the a''earance o( one chewing sur(ace6 %his align"ent o( teeth is called the dental
arcade6 %he incisors are se'arated (ro" the chee5 teeth by a large s'ace6 ,anine teeth can be
(ound in the s'ace between the incisors and 're"olars6 %he incisor teeth are res'onsible (or the
gras'ing and tearing o( (ood$ while the chee5 teeth are used (or grinding o( (eed6
%he horse chews in a circular "otion with the lower 1aw sliding along the u''er teeth6 %his
circular "otion "aintains the occlusive sur(aces o( the teeth6 %his "otion is reduced as the horse
eats s"aller (eed 'articles6 Horses eating grains and 'elleted (eeds "ay chew in al"ost an u'0
and0down (ashion6
%he horse has evolved with the hy'sodont tooth seen in the "odern horse6 Hy'sodont teeth are
tall and continue to eru't (ro" the gu" a(ter (or"ing6 %hese teeth (or" in the 1aw o( the horse
until the horse is a''ro/i"ately seven years old6 ,e"entu"$ a hard "aterial that (or"s 'art o(
the tooth$ and bone are de'osited$ which 'ushes the tooth out o( the s5ull and through the
gu"line6 %he 'art o( the tooth that can be seen in the horse*s "outh is called the clinical crown$
while the 'ortion in the 1aw is called the body or reserve crown6 Equine teeth have an
interweaving (old o( hard ena"el and dentin6 %he ena"el is i"'ortant (or grinding (eedstu((6 %he
chewing sur(aces o( the teeth "ust have ena"el0to0ena"el contact6 &( the teeth are o((set by
abnor"al wear$ tooth loss or abnor"al growth$ the ena"el0to0ena"el contact will be disru'ted
and the ena"el will co"e in contact with the "uch so(ter dentin6 %his results in the dentin
wearing away ra'idly and de(or"ation o( the so(ter tooth6
%his continuous eru'tion and wearing o( teeth in the horse results in an increase in dental
'roble"s and diseases o( the oral cavity as the horse ages6 While horses rarely have 'roble"s
with tooth decay or gu" disease$ their continuously eru'ting teeth 'resent unique 'roble"s6 &( a
tooth is lost or worn abnor"ally$ the o''osing tooth will continue to eru't (ro" the gu"line6 %his
will result in the tooth i"'acting the e"'ty soc5et le(t by a "issing tooth or the do"inant tooth
continuing to wear into the o''osing arcade$ "agni(ying the abnor"ality6 Either o( these
conditions will result in "outh 'ain and abnor"al chewing 'atterns6 %his abnor"al chewing can
result in weight loss$ tooth in(ection or i"'action colic6
Dro''ing o( (eed while chewing$ nasal discharge$ (oul0s"elling breath$ weight loss and (acial
swellings "ight all be indications o( dental disease6 While the sy"'to"s o( dental disease are
o(ten obvious$ the actual cause o( these sy"'to"s requires a care(ul and detailed e/a"ination6
.or this reason$ horses should have an annual oral e/a" 'er(or"ed by a veterinarian6 &t is
i"'ortant to do a co"'lete oral e/a" and not 1ust loo5 at the teeth$ as other disease 'rocesses
"ay be 'resent in the horse*s "outh6
E/a"ination o( the horse*s "outh will o(ten require that the horse be sedated and a (ull "outh
s'eculu" used to o'en the horse*s "outh6 All o( the tooth sur(aces should be e/a"ined$ along
with the gu"s$ tongue$ hard 'alate and so(t 'alate Abnor"alities (ound on an oral e/a" "ay
need to be e/a"ined (urther by radiogra'hy or ultrasound6 !roble"s are evaluated to assess the
i"'ortance to the horse*s overall health6 &n the older horse$ a general 'hysical e/a" "ay be
needed to deter"ine the cause or e((ect o( dental disease6
Abnor"al occlusion$ "issing teeth and abnor"al chewing 'atterns can result in the creation o( a
do"inant tooth6 As the do"inant tooth eru'ts$ it wears down the o''osing tooth6 &( not treated$ the
do"inant tooth can wear the o''osing tooth down to the gu" line$ resulting in (eed 'ac5ing into
the gu" line6 %his can result in in(ection o( the tooth soc5et and its sinus6
When "ore than one tooth is do"inant$ the dental arcade will have high and low sections6 %his is
re(erred to as a wave "outh6 %his condition requires that the do"inant tooth be cut to the level o(
the rest o( the teeth in that arcade6 %he o''osing sur(ace that has been worn away is le(t to grow
bac5 to the level o( the teeth in that arcade6 &t is i"'ortant to identi(y and cut bac5 the do"inant
tooth; leveling the o''osite arcade that has been worn away will worsen the 'roble"6 Do"inant
teeth will require "onitoring (or the li(e o( the horse6 :ther dental ano"alies$ such as ste' "outh
and shear "outh$ also require the overriding tooth to be cut bac5 and "onitored6
+no''osed teeth will need to be cut bac5 routinely to 'revent the tooth (ro" i"'acting the
o''osite gu"6 %his "ay occur a(ter a tooth is lost or in abnor"al occlusion occurring when the
u''er and lower 1aws are not aligned 'ro'erly$ resulting in the (irst and last tooth being 'artially
uno''osed6 %his tooth will have a section that is worn away$ while the rest o( the tooth continues
to grow and develo' a 'ointed sur(ace at the uno''osed end00re(erred to as dental hoo5s6 %hese
hoo5s occur at the (ront and rear o( the dental arcade6 &( le(t untreated$ they will eventually i"'act
the o''osite gu" and cause severe disco"(ort to the horse6 ,utting or ras'ing down these hoo5s
to the level o( the rest o( the arcade will 'revent these hoo5s (ro" creating a 'roble"6
%he incisors o( the horse also continue to eru't as the horse ages6 %hese teeth can beco"e
loose or wear abnor"ally6 Loose incisors are o(ten 'ain(ul and "ight need to be re"oved6
+neven incisors will inhibit the nor"al side0to0side chewing "otion o( the horse$ while incisors
that are too long will 'revent the nor"al occlusion o( the chee5 teeth6 &t is i"'ortant that the
incisors be evaluated and treated after the chee5 teeth have been e/a"ined6 7"all changes in
the incisors will have a large e((ect on the chee5 teeth$ es'ecially the rear "olars6
:(ten$ the older horse will need a tooth re"oved6 %his "ight be due to an in(ection$ or because
the geriatric horse does not have enough reserve crown to hold the tooth in 'lace6 &n the latter
case$ the tooth will be loose and cause 'ain6 M rays "ay be required to identi(y the in(ected or
loose tooth$ which can be re"oved using a "olar e/tractor in the standing$ sedated horse6 7o"e
in(ected teeth "ust be re"oved by re'ulsion6 %his "eans that the sinus above the tooth "ust be
entered surgically and the tooth driven out using a "allet and dental 'unch6 %his 'rocedure
requires general anesthesia and leaves a large$ o'en tooth soc5et in the horse*s "outh that "ust
be 'ac5ed a(ter surgery until the de(ect is healed$ which "ay ta5e several wee5s6 !ac5ing is
usually not required in the Cworn outC tooth as the soc5et le(t behind is "ini"al6
,hewing and grinding o( (eed are essential to your horse*s health and survival6 !ro'er dental care
will hel' your horse eat better$ be healthier$ and have (ewer "outh 'roble"s6 An annual oral
e/a" should be an integral 'art o( every horse*s health 'rogra"6
Manuel G. Himenes Jr., DVM, owner of Oahu Equine Veterinary Clinic in Hawaii, specialies in
equine practice an! is a mem"er of ##E$ an! #VM#.
A1erican Association o+ Equine !ractitioners
,=>? 4ron Wor@s !i@e
LeAington, KY ,=?''
%B=B( )**C=',>
www&aae5&org
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Equine Dental 8are 4s More $han <ust loating
by Dean 3coggins, DVMD <ac@ Easley, DVMD and W& Leon
3crutch+ield, DVM

When you schedule an a''oint"ent (or yoursel( at the dentists o((ice$ you usually "ar5 o(( a
whole a(ternoon on your calendar6 You have M rays$ get a thorough cleaning o( each and every
tooth$ "aybe get a tooth or two (illedNand you al"ost always receive a lecture on how you need
to (loss "ore6 Although it see"s tedious$ you 5now routine chec5u's and diagnostic e/a"inations
contribute to the health o( your teeth6 Your horse is no di((erent6 His teeth deserve 'ractically the
sa"e care you give your own teeth6
Wait a "inuteNan equine root canalB !onies with cavitiesB Fot e/actly$ but your horse 'robably
needs "ore than 1ust the C(loatC you gave hi" (ive years ago6
A $on 7+ $eeth
%he adult "ale horse has u' to EE 'er"anent teeth$ and a "are "ight have between DG to E@
'er"anent teeth6 Li5e hu"ans$ horses get two sets o( teeth in their li(eti"e6 %he baby teeth$ also
5now as deciduous teeth$ are te"'orary6 #y age (ive$ "ost horses will have their (ull set o(
'er"anent teeth6
Evolution has designed the horses s5ull to acco""odate greater quantities o( high0(iber (orage
(oods6 %he horses Eocene ancestor stood a little over two (eet tall6 )odern equines are now
al"ost tri'le that height and require >I ti"es "ore (ood6 An a"azing grinding syste" o( the
horses teeth acco""odates such an increase in (ood inta5e and 'rocessing6
Elongation o( the head and nec5 allowed (or continual 'asture grazing$ increasing the height and
co"'le/ity o( the tooth sha'e6 %he (orward teeth$ 5nown as incisors$ (unction to shear o(( (orage6
%he chee5 teeth$ including the "olars and 're"olars with their wide$ (lat$ grooved sur(aces$ easily
grind the (eed be(ore it is swallowed6
2itingC$he 2asics
.irst$ the (ood touches the li's6 7ensitive u''er and lower li's are the integral structures (or (eed
a''rehension6 During grazing$ the li's are drawn bac5 to allow the incisors 2(ront central teeth4 to
sever the grass at the base6
:nce the (ood enters the "outh$ the horse begins chewing the (ood by grinding it6 %his occurs by
"oving the "andible$ or 1aw$ in a side0to0side "ove"ent$ not u'0and0down6
,hewing ta5es 'lace where the "olars are aligned in the s5ull$ also 5nown as the C"olar arcade6C
A(ter several "inutes o( chewing$ the (ood so(tens and is suitable (or swallowing6
!ic@y, !ic@y
Horses are selective eaters; they 're(er grasses and legu"es$ but a wide variety o( shrubs$
herbs$ woody 'lants$ and even roots "ight be selected6 %hey tend to avoid eating grass in areas
'olluted with "anure or horse urine6
%he horse is a continuous grazer$ that is$ both con(ined horses in a stall and (ree0ranging ani"als
usually eat =@0=> hours daily (or D@0=H@ "inute intervals i( hay or 'asture is available6
However$ (ull con(ine"ent to a stall does a((ect eating behavior6 ,on(ined horses (ed concentrate
or 'elleted (eed eat "ore ra'idly and s'end the re"aining ti"e in boredo"6 Horses con(ined and
not allowed access to 'asture dont use the incisor teeth (or shearing$ and this "ight lead to
incisor overgrowth6
%his is the 'oint where your equine veterinarian co"es in6 )any arbitrary 'ractices such as
training techniques and (ull boarding change natural (unctions in the horses "outh6 Dental
'roble"s can continually worsen unbe5nownst to the owner or trainer6 %he horse "ight begin to
resist the bit$ not res'ond to co""on training techniques$ or even lose weight$ and the trainer
"ight never consider that it "ight be a dental 'roble"6 .ro" (loating to (iling$ your 'ractitioner
can hel' you develo' a dental hygiene 'rogra" (or your horse to hel' 'ut C'ower steeringC in
your horses "outh6
loating
+n(ortunately$ chee5 teeth tend to develo' shar' ena"el 'oints even under nor"al grazing
conditions6 #ecause the horses lower 1aw is narrower than its u''er 1aw$ and due to the grinding
"otion during chewing$ shar' 'oints tend to (or" along the edges6 !oints (or" on the chee5 side
o( the u''er 1aw and the tongue side o( the lower 1aw6
.loating is the Cras'ing$C or (iling o( 'oints on the teeth to 'revent the" (ro" cutting the chee5 or
tongue6 .loating "ight involve leveling o( the "olar arcades or rounding the sur(ace o( the second
're"olar to rese"ble the end o( a thu"b6 %he goal o( (loating is to "aintain the sy""etry and
balance o( the arcade and to allow (ree chewing "otion6
%he techniques to (loat teeth vary a"ong 'ractitioners6 )ost veterinarians will sedate the horse
and use a (ull0"outh s'eculu" to allow greater thoroughness in the e/a"ination and "ore
'recision in 'er(or"ing corrective 'rocedures6
.loating teeth is 1ust one o( "any 'rocedures that "ight be available (ro" your veterinarian6
)any other dental 'roble"s can develo' and go undetected until severe 'ain beco"es obvious6
"eca5 7n 8a5s
%he >E deciduous 2baby4 teeth all should be re'laced by the age o( (ive years6 7o"eti"es these
teeth are not shed and result in a Cretained ca'$C which can cause inadequate chewing$ loss o(
a''etite$ and 'oor 'er(or"ance6
Your veterinarian can e/tract the deciduous 're"olar or incisor once the boundary between the
deciduous and 'er"anent tooth is visible6 &( the baby tooth is e/tracted too early$ though$ the
'er"anent tooth can be da"aged6
Wol+ $eeth
Wol( teeth are very s"all teeth located in (ront o( the second 're"olar and do not have long roots
that set the" (ir"ly in the 1aw bone6 Lower wol( teeth are rare; but are so"eti"es (ound in lines o(
7tandardbreds6 A horse "ight have none or u' to (our wol( teeth6
Although not all wol( teeth are troubleso"e$ veterinarians routinely re"ove the" to 'revent 'ain
or inter(erence (ro" a bit6 &n addition$ adequate sha'ing o( the second 're"olar during (loating
cannot be done with wol( teeth 'resent6
Don0t Get /oo@ed
For"ally$ contact with the o''osing tooth 5ee's biting sur(aces equal6 When chee5 teeth are out
o( align"ent$ hoo5s can (or"6 Hoo5s on the u''er chee5 teeth can inter(ere with biting6 Hoo5s on
the lower chee5 teeth can (orce the horse to chew u' and down$ causing stress on the 1aw
"uscle6
8anines
As the na"e suggests$ canine teeth are shar'$ tall teeth used (or tearing (ood6 ,anines are
'ri"arily (ound in the "ale horse and can beco"e too tall and shar'$ increasing the ris5 o(
laceration to other horses when 'laying$ the chance o( in1ury by catching on (i/ed ob1ects$ and
di((iculty in inserting and re"oving the bit6 A veterinarian can shorten tall and ras' shar' canine
teeth to 'revent these occurrences6
4denti+y !roble1s
&t is i"'ortant to catch dental 'roble"s early6 Waiting too long "ight increase the treat"ent
needed or "ight even "a5e re"edy i"'ossible6
&( a horse starts behaving abnor"ally$ dental 'roble"s should be considered as a 'otential
cause6 Horses with dental 'roble"s "ight show obvious signs$ such as 'ain or irritation o( the
"outh6 :ther indications o( dental 'roble"s include loss o( (eed (ro" "outh while eating;
di((iculty chewing or e/cess salivation; loss o( body condition; large$ undigested (ood 'articles in
"anure; head tilting or tossing; bit chewing$ tongue lolling$ (ighting the bit$ or resisting the bridle;
buc5ing or (ailing to sto' or turn; (oul odor (ro" "outh or nostrils; traces o( blood in "outh; or
nasal discharge or swelling o( the (ace
:ther horses "ight show no noticeable signs because they si"'ly ada't to their disco"(ort6 .or
this reason$ have your veterinarian thoroughly e/a"ine and (loat your horses teeth at least once
a year6 %his dental e/a" 'rovides the o''ortunity to 'er(or" routine 'reventative dental
"aintenance and avoid having relatively minor problems become serious in the future. The
end result is a healthier, more comfortable horse.
By Dean Scoggins, DVM; Jack asley, DVM; and !" #eon Scrutchfield, DVM
A1erican Association o+ Equine !ractitioners
,=>? 4ron Wor@s !i@e
LeAington, KY ,=?''
%B=B( )**C=',>
www&aae5&org
'osted by Rose
'osted< G?=G?>@@>6 Last u'dated< G?=G?>@@>
Dental EAa1ination
by W& Leon 3crutch+ield, DVM,
4 have a Morgan 1are who, 4 thin@, 1ight have so1ething wrong with her teeth& What
should 4 eA5ect +ro1 a dental eAa1ination +or 1y horseE
%he veterinarian and the owner need to discuss what the owner wants and e/'ects (ro" a dental
e/a"ination6 Dental e/a"inations can vary (ro" a su'er(icial e/a"ination to identi(y "a1or
abnor"alities only$ to a detailed e/a"ination that ho'e(ully will reveal the s"allest dental
'roble"6 %he age and use o( the horse will in(luence the ty'e o( e/a"ination 'er(or"ed6
&( the owner only wants "a1or abnor"alities identi(ied$ the e/a"ination "ight consist o( (lushing
the "outh to re"ove (eed and hay$ a visual e/a"ination$ and 'ossibly a "anual e/a"ination6
7o"e veterinarians are s5ill(ul enough to 'al'ate 'arts o( all teeth o( "ost horses6 %his ty'e o(
e/a"ination "ight identi(y "any 'roble"s$ es'ecially i( the horse is a"enable to the
e/a"ination6 However$ it has the 'otential to "iss 'roble"s$ es'ecially at the bac5 o( the "outh6
)ost horses that have had the shar' ena"el 'oints (loated o(( in the last year will (eel good i( only
the outsides o( the u''er (irst and second chee5 teeth are 'al'ated6 %he 'oints start redevelo'ing
on the caudal lower chee5 teeth$ which are di((icult to 'al'ate without the use o( a (ull0"outh
s'eculu"6
&( the horse has any signs o( 'roble"s in eating or 'er(or"ance that could be related to dental
'roble"s and?or the owner wants and e/'ects to'0level dental care$ then a very co"'lete
e/a"ination should be done6 &t is di((icult to visualize all as'ects o( the bac5 chee5 teeth so
'al'ation is a vital 'art o( the e/a"ination6 )ost horses will need to be sedated and a (ull0"outh
s'eculu" used (or this thorough e/a"ination6 A (ull0"outh s'eculu" "ust be used to 'al'ate all
as'ects o( all chee5 teeth6 7o"e 'ractitioners are co"(ortable using the (ull0"outh s'eculu" in
unsedated horses$ but "ost are not6 7edation o( the horse has beco"e necessary as "ore
thorough e/a"inations and e/tensive corrective 'rocedures are 'er(or"ed6
Fewborn (oals should be e/a"ined to see i( there is 'ro'er align"ent o( the incisors 2'arrot0
"outhed or sow0"outhed4 or congenital de(ects o( the li's or 'alate6 !rocedures that hel' in
correcting "alalign"ent "ight be available6
All horses going into training should have dental e/a"inations to allow the identi(ication and
correction o( dental 'roble"s such as shar' ena"el 'oints and the 'resence o( wol( teeth6 7har'
ena"el 'oints will cause disco"(ort and send "i/ed signals to the horse as a bit or noseband
"ight 'ush the chee5s into the shar' 'oints on the outside o( the u''er chee5 teeth6 Fot all wol(
teeth cause 'roble"s$ but no wol( tooth ever hel'ed the horse$ and so"e do cause 'roble"s6
Wol( teeth also inter(ere with the rounding and s"oothing o( the (irst chee5 teeth 2bit seats4$ so
wol( teeth should be e/tracted6
:ther 'roble"s that should be identi(ied include retained deciduous incisors and 're"olars
2ca's4$ tall?long 2do"inant4 teeth$ hoo5s$ ra"'s$ bea5s$ and unlevel chewing sur(aces (ront to
bac56 %he chewing sur(ace o( the chee5 teeth nor"ally slo'es =@0=AO (ro" side to side6
&n(ected or diseased teeth do occur$ although they are rare6 %hey are indicated by (acial or
"andibular swellings$ draining tracts$ slow eating$ holding the head to the side$ and bad odor o(
the "outh6 &( there are signs o( an in(ected tooth$ radiogra'hic e/a"ination 'robably is indicated6
%he owner should e/'ect to be told and?or shown what 'roble"s?abnor"alities have been
identi(ied$ what e((ect the abnor"alities "ight have on eating$ 'er(or"ance$ and long0ter" dental
health6 %he owner should be given an esti"ate o( the 'ro(essional (ees (or the indicated
corrective 'rocedures6 &( the corrective 'rocedures are beyond the e/a"iner*s e/'ertise$
5nowledge$ or instru"entation$ the owner should e/'ect to be re(erred to a s'ecialist6
Dental e/a"inations are i"'ortant in the health "anage"ent o( the horse and should be
'er(or"ed on a regular basis6 %his "ight be on a si/ to => "onth basis as indicated by the
horse*s age$ use$ e/'ected level o( 'er(or"ance$ and overall condition o( the teeth6 Late two0year
olds or late three0year olds in to' level co"'etition "ight need to be seen every "onth as they
shed 2or (ail to shed4 deciduous 're"olars 2ca's4 and the new 'er"anent chee5 teeth develo'
shar' ena"el 'oints6 A =@0year old in light 'leasure riding should be e/a"ined yearly to see i(
corrective 'rocedures are indicated6 A (ew horses have such bad occlusions that they need
corrective 'rocedures every three "onths$ although that is unusual6 :wners need to observe
their horse*s eating habits and 'er(or"ance characteristics closely6 &( the horse changes either
eating and?or 'er(or"ance habits$ a dental e/a"ination is indicated6 Abnor"al conditions (ound at
e/a"ination need to be corrected6 %his 'revents "inor 'roble"s (ro" beco"ing "a1or 'roble"s6
Good dental care hel's reduce colic and cho5e$ 'rolongs the e((ectiveness o( the teeth$ increases
(eed e((iciency$ and enhances 'er(or"ance6
%. &eon 'crutchfiel!, DVM, is the hea! of fiel! ser(ices at )e*as #+M ,ni(ersity an! has a
special interest in equine !entistry.
'osted by Rose
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