Equine Dental Services

Straight to the Horses Mouth.

Recognizing Problems

· Loss of feed from mouth while eating or difficulty with chewing.

· Loss of body conditioning.

· Large or undigested feed particles (long stems or whole grain) in manure.

· Head tilting or tossing, bit chewing, tongue lolling, fighting the bit, or resisting bridling.

· Poor performance, such as lugging on the bridle, failing to turn or stop, even bucking.

· Foul odor from mouth or nostrils, or traces of blood from mouth.

· Nasal discharge or swelling of the face, jaw, or mouth tissues.

· Oral exams should be an essential part of an annual physical examination by an equine practitioner.  Every dental exam provides the opportunity to perform routine preventative dental maintenance.  The end result is a healthier, more comfortable horse.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Poor coat and weight is signs of dental problems.
Picture of horse with poor body and coat conditioning due to poor dental health.

Common Dental Problems

· Sharp enamel points forming on check teeth, causing lacerations of cheeks and tongue.

· Retained caps (deciduous teeth that are not shed)

· Discomfort caused by bit contact with the wolf teeth.

· Hooks forming on the upper and lower cheek teeth.

· Long and / or sharp canines (bridle) teeth interfering with the insertion or removal of the bit.

· Lost or broken teeth.

· Abnormal or uneven bit planes.

· Excessively worn teeth also called cupped teeth.

· Abnormally long teeth or steps.

· Infected teeth and gums (periodontal disease)

· Misaligned or poor apposition.