It is important that the biomechanics of the mouth work correctly so that the horse is comfortable and can chew their food correctly.
Grass is quite abrasive but processed food and hay are quite soft so the horse’s teeth don’t get the same workout. The pressure of chewing on grass helps the horse’s body regulate the rate at which the teeth erupt. Due to an increase in the use of more processed food, many horses don’t use their incisors as much as they were ‘designed’ to, meaning that these can get longer in relation to their cheek teeth which may cause problems.
Dental problems that can occur include:
- Misalignment of teeth/Wave mouth (Uneven wear creating differing tooth heights. This problem usually comes from a lack of dental attention when a horse is young.)
- Inability to grind food correctly
- ‘Quidding’ (where food comes out of the horse’s mouth, or is spat out, as he chews)
- Abscesses
- Ulcers
- Loose teeth
- Infected teeth or gums
- Periodontal disease
Routine examinations are essential to the horse’s health, comfort and wellbeing. They are recommended at least once a year, but many people have their horse’s teeth checked more frequently, particularly if there has been an issue or if they’re particularly young or old. If you notice that your horse is having an issue with eating or you’re concerned that his teeth are causing him discomfort, don’t hesitate in calling the vet or your equine dentist, even if your horse is not due to have his teeth checked.
In horses of any age, look out for the following:
- Tipping head to one side
- Abnormalities when eating/slow eating
- Disinterest in one particular type of food
- Spilling or dropping of food
- Excessive yawning, choking or tongue lolling
Also, when riding, look out for:
- Resistance to the bit or bridle/ hypersensitivity to the bridle
- Head tossing
- Holding the bit between the teeth
Other signs of dental problems include:
- Nasal discharge (with or without an odour)
- Swelling of the face, jaw or mouth
- Blood from the mouth
- Facial muscle asymmetry