A Guide for Horse Owner

Good dental health is essential for every horse, regardless of age or discipline. Healthy teeth allow horses to chew feed efficiently, maintain body condition, perform comfortably under saddle, and enjoy a better quality of life.

Unlike humans, a horse's teeth continually erupt throughout most of its life to compensate for the natural wear that occurs while chewing. Because of this continuous eruption, uneven wear can develop over time, leading to sharp edges, abnormal bite patterns, and painful dental conditions.

Regular dental examinations are an important part of your horse's preventative healthcare program and can identify problems before they begin to affect health or performance.

Why is Dental Care Important?

Dental disease is one of the most common health issues affecting horses. Many horses show very subtle signs of discomfort, and significant dental problems can develop before they become obvious.

Routine dental care helps to:

• Maintain efficient chewing and digestion

• Improve comfort while eating and working

• Support healthy body condition

• Prevent painful dental disease

• Enhance acceptance of the bit and ridden performance

• Identify problems early before they become more serious

Signs Your Horse May Need a Dental Examination

Some horses show no obvious signs of dental disease, while others may display:

• Difficulty chewing or dropping feed ("quidding")

• Weight loss or poor body condition

• Slow eating

• Excessive salivation

• Bad breath

• Whole grains in manure

• Head tossing or resistance to the bit

• Difficulty turning or flexing

• Unexplained behavioural changes under saddle

• Swelling of the face or jaw

• Nasal discharge from one nostril

• Reluctance to accept contact

If you notice any of these signs, a dental examination is recommended.

What Happens During a Dental Examination?

A thorough dental examination involves much more than simply "floating" the teeth.

Your veterinarian will typically:

• Perform a general health assessment

• Review your horse's history and any concerns

• Sedate your horse if required for comfort and safety

• Examine the mouth using a full-mouth speculum

• Assess every tooth and the surrounding soft tissues

• Identify any abnormalities or signs of disease

• Correct excessive sharp enamel points and abnormal wear where appropriate

Additional diagnostic imaging may be recommended if more complex dental disease is suspected.

Common Dental Problems

Regular examinations help identify a wide range of dental conditions, including:

Sharp Enamel Points

As horses chew, sharp edges can develop along the outer upper cheek teeth and inner lower cheek teeth. These points may cause ulcers and discomfort inside the mouth.

Hooks and Ramps

Uneven wear can produce overgrown sections of teeth that interfere with normal chewing and jaw movement.

Wave Mouth and Step Mouth

Abnormal wear patterns may reduce chewing efficiency and become progressively worse without treatment.

Retained Caps

Young horses naturally lose their deciduous ("baby") teeth. Occasionally these remain attached longer than normal and interfere with the eruption of permanent teeth.

Wolf Teeth

Wolf teeth are small vestigial teeth that may interfere with the bit in some horses. Removal may be recommended before training or if they are causing discomfort.

Periodontal Disease

Disease affecting the gums and supporting tissues around the teeth is common in older horses and may result in pain, loose teeth, and difficulty eating.

Fractured or Infected Teeth

Broken teeth or tooth root infections can be painful and often require specialised treatment or extraction.

Dental Care Throughout Life

Young Horses

Young horses benefit from regular examinations as their permanent teeth erupt. Early assessment allows retained caps, wolf teeth, and developmental abnormalities to be identified and managed before they affect training.

Adult Horses

Most healthy adult horses benefit from a dental examination every 6–12 months, depending on their age, use, and individual dental health.

Senior Horses

Older horses are more likely to develop worn, loose, fractured, or missing teeth. Regular examinations help maintain comfort and allow feeding programs to be adjusted if chewing becomes less efficient.

How Often Should My Horse Have Its Teeth Checked?

Every horse is different, but general recommendations include:

• Foals and young horses: Regular examinations during tooth eruption at least every 6 months

• Adult horses: Every 6–12 months

• Senior horses: At least every 6 months, or more frequently if dental disease is present

Your veterinarian will recommend an examination schedule tailored to your horse's age and individual needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does dental treatment hurt?

Most routine dental procedures are well tolerated. Sedation is commonly used to improve comfort, allow a thorough examination, and ensure the safety of both the horse and veterinary team.

Why does my horse need sedation?

Sedation allows a complete examination of the entire mouth using a speculum. It also enables accurate treatment while reducing stress for the horse.

What is "floating"?

Floating is the process of carefully reducing sharp enamel points and correcting abnormal wear to improve comfort and restore normal chewing function. Modern dentistry aims to preserve the natural tooth structure while addressing areas that may cause discomfort.

Will dental treatment improve my horse's performance?

If dental pain is contributing to resistance, poor bit acceptance, or discomfort during work, appropriate dental treatment may improve comfort and performance. However, performance is influenced by many factors, and not all issues are related to dental health.

Our Commitment

At Hawkesbury Equine Veterinary Centre, we provide comprehensive equine dental examinations using modern equipment and evidence-based techniques.

Our goal is to identify dental problems early, maintain your horse's comfort and welfare, and support long-term health and performance. Whether your horse is a young prospect, an elite athlete, a breeding animal, or a much-loved retiree, regular dental care is an important part of lifelong veterinary health.

If you would like to book a dental examination or discuss your horse's dental health, please contact our team. We are committed to providing professional, compassionate care tailored to every horse.