Equine Dentist ...

Horses and ponies need regular checking by a qualified equine dentist. Without correct dental care teeth problems can lead to behavioural problems, lack of performance and loss of condition.

During the period when the horse was our only form of transport, vets routinely floated (rasped) the horses teeth knowing that it was important to keep the horses mouth comfortable.

Young horses should be checked to ensure that teeth are normal and are developing as they should. Then once your horses permanent teeth start coming through you should ensure that they too are correct. This is most important before your horse is introduced to the bit or started on their ridden careers.

Regular check ups should follow on throughout their life, and the equine dentist will ensure that your horse stays comfortable and happy in his mouth.

Top 7 reasons why your horses teeth needs regular treatment.

1. Horse teeth erupt throughout the life of a horse.

2. The horses upper jaw is 30% wider than the lower jaw,

• Normal use can create sharp points on the cheek surface of the upper teeth and on the tongue surface of the lower jaw. These points can cause discomfort, pain and even lacerations in the mouth and can hinder performance in the working horse.

3. A horses diet is mainly roughage, so horses need teeth of an even height.

• Roughage digestion occurs by microbial fermentation in the caecum. Particles that are too large pass through undigested and nutrients are not digested. Inadequately chewed roughage increases the risk of intestinal obstruction (colic).

4. Incisors do not wear at the same rate as the molars

• This is due to the non-abrasive nature of the diet of the modern domesticated horse.

5. Early or late tooth eruption causes an uneven chewing surface, this becomes exaggerated over time.

6. Tall, sharp canine teeth can pinch or cut the tongue ( a problem in geldings and stallions).

7. Horses chew in a figure of 8 type pattern

• This chewing action requires an angle of about 15 degrees on the molar surface to allow the horse to chew efficiently.