Equine Dentistry

A thorough dental examination can identify several significant dental conditions as well as provide important information regarding the overall well-being of your horse. Horses, unlike humans, experience tooth growth throughout the majority of their lives.

This continual eruption of the tooth through the horse's gums make tooth abnormalities fairly common. Most importantly, the normal chewing pattern of a horse can create sharp points. Sharp points can cause pain and decrease chewing, both of which can lead to gastrointestinal or nutritional problems.

Typical signs that your horse may have dental problems include:

• dropping feed or difficulty chewing
• poor body condition
• long stems or whole grain in the manure
• poor performance
• head tossing or resistance to bridling
• foul odor or nasal discharge

Oral exams are typically performed annually on mature horses unless they have dental abnormalities that require more frequent attention. Younger horses (2-5 years old) should be examined twice yearly.