Introduction to Equine Dentistry

Equine dentistry has evolved considerably over the past decade, and is now regarded by many as a specialised area of equine health. This is mainly due to the infinite problems horse owners experience as a consequence of domesticating the equine. In doing so we as owners have altered or restricted every aspect of the horses life, consequently impacting radically upon there dentition. Therefore it is imperative that's horses, ponies and donkeys, regardless of breed or age receive regular dental assessments.

Why have equine dentistry

The horses teeth are known as hypsodont which like beavers and other rodents keep erupting through out their life, which in a horses case is about 2-3 mm a year (the rate of wear). The lower teeth grind against the stationary upper rows of teeth throughout the year, which keeps the dentition in order. The teeth are designed to be abraded against each other (chewing) for approx 18-20 hours a day, however, taking the horse out of his natural environment i.e. stabling him on hay, haylage or concentrates reduces chewing time to as little as 8-10 hours a day. As a result, this has a huge impact on the dentition causing over eruption of the teeth. This highlights the importance of having your equine dental technician float (rasp) your horses teeth every 6 months to avoid over eruption or other problems occurring.

Common Causes

The majority of problems that occur are mainly due to a lack of regular dental maintenance. If an equine dentist does not assess your horse every 6 months, there is an increased risk in your horse suffering dental disorders. These include uneven wear of teeth (hooks, ramps & protuberant teeth), fractured and loose teeth, tartar and decay, ulcers and bitting injuries.

How will this affect my horse

Due to the teeth erupting so slowly dental problems can occur over months or years with the horse showing little or no indication, this is sometimes due to the fact that the horse adjusts the way he chews as the mouth changes, which has been the same throughout the whole evolution of the horse.

The hardest substance in the horses body is enamel, which is also found in the teeth, it is this portion that causes sharp edges to occur and is the area that the equine dental technician floats (rasps) off. The upper jaw is wider than the lower on every horse, so it is the outer edges of the upper and inside edges of the lowers that are floated including the table surface.

The sharp enamel points on the upper teeth can cause cuts and ulceration to the cheeks, with the sharp points on the lowers affecting the tongue. When pressure is applied to the side of the face i.e. from tack or bitting, this can be very uncomfortable.

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