Dental Problems in Horses
Dental problems in horses are often the true cause of many misunderstood behaviors and misdiagnosed illnesses. A horse’s mouth is unique in that the teeth continue to grow throughout the entire life of the horse, which is often as long as 30 years for domesticated animals. For wild horses, this particular fact would not pose a problem, as horses in their natural state are able to check the growth of their teeth by simply doing what comes naturally to them. However, domesticated horses are typically fed different types of foods and in different patterns than they normally would eat in the wild, and this is the root of most dental problems in horses. This is important for every horse owner to understand, because the horse’s mouth is not only the primary way that we communicate with our horse either under saddle or in a driving team, but the mouth is also how the horse communicates with us and with fellow horses. This means that dental problems not only affect a horse’s health, they also affect its behavior.
A horse’s mouth is possibly the most sensitive area of its body- an equine uses it to eat, to smell, to touch and investigate, to communicate, and to defend itself. For all these reasons, dental problems in horses are especially troublesome, as they affect every area of the horse’s life. Most of these problems are caused by uneven wear of the surface of equine teeth. In the wild, grass and other foraged food typically are rough and contain large amounts of silica, which wears down a horse’s teeth. An even tooth surface is essential to preventing dental problems in horses. Domesticated horses are often fed food that is much less abrasive, such as hay that has high alfalfa content, and soft, sweet grains. This means that over time, horses teeth will wear unevenly, causing a host of dental problems. However, uneven tooth wear is not the only cause of dental problems in horses. The following is a list of the most common problems that a horse will experience in its lifetime:
Retained Caps- Tooth eruptions in horses continue until the horse is approximately 5 years old. Deciduous or baby teeth are replaced with permanent adult teeth. However, sometimes these deciduous teeth are retained in the horse’s mouth, and can cause severe dental problems. Retained caps can cause underlying permanent teeth to grow in at an angle, which can cut into the jaw, gums, or cheeks. This can often cause bridling or bit issues. Additionally, retained caps can cause uneven tooth surfaces, which can cause the horse to chew abnormally, resulting in jaw damage, nerve and tissue issues, and general pain and discomfort to the animal.
Wolf Teeth- Wolf teeth are located in front of the second premolars, and are almost always found in the upper part of the mouth. Some rare cases have been seen where wolf teeth grow on the lower jaw, but this is very uncommon. The trouble with wolf teeth is that they occur in an area called the interdental space, which is precisely where a bit would be placed. Wolf teeth can come into direct contact with the bit, causing the tooth to break, shatter, or be forced to grow at an odd angle. Furthermore, unlike other teeth, wolf teeth are not set in the jawbone itself- they are set only into the gums, which can cause discomfort in and of itself. While only about a third of horses have wolf teeth, in almost all cases these teeth are removed in order to prevent any problems with the bit.
Sharp or Abnormal Enamel Points- In the wild, the food a horse consumes is typically abrasive enough that the teeth are naturally worn down to even surfaces. In domesticated animals this is often not the case. Because a horse’s teeth continue to grow throughout its life, less abrasive feeds can cause sharp enamel points to build up on the outside edges of teeth. When these points are sufficiently large enough, they prevent the horse from being able to move its jaw laterally, which causes the feed to be ground down even less. These enamel points are quite sharp, and can cut into the horse’s gums and cheeks. This often causes a horse to stop moving its jaw back and forth, which can then result in hooks being built up on the inside edge of the molars. When this occurs, the horse will chew in such an abnormal state that significant pressure may be exerted on one or more teeth, causing them to break or even tear loose. This is not only painful and dangerous, but also results in the animal consuming less feed and processing feed less efficiently.
Long Canine Teeth- Nearly all stallions and geldings grow canine teeth. Canine teeth in mares are rare, but not impossible. In either case, canine teeth often grow quite long, and can cause the horse to be unable to move its jaw naturally. This can cause uneven teeth surfaces, and abnormal head position. These teeth should be rasped or ground down using special dental tools when possible.
Missing Teeth- When a tooth is missing for whatever reason it can cause severe problems in the horse’s mouth. Because the teeth continually grow, this means that a missing tooth does not allow the opposing tooth to grind against it. To better understand this, imagine that a tooth in the bottom jaw is missing. Normally, the corresponding tooth in the upper jaw would press against the now missing one, causing both to wear evenly. With a missing tooth, there is a large space where the opposing tooth can now grow directly into that space. If the opposing tooth grows too far into the voided space, it can prevent the horse from chewing laterally and from moving its lower jaw forward and backward.
Uneven Bite- Horses are often bred without consideration of dental problems. Congenital dental issues are prevalent in modern domesticated horses, and without proper attention they can be life threatening. This includes an uneven bite, as it prevents the animal from being able to grind its feed in a natural fashion and wear the teeth down normally. This can result in decreased food consumption or efficiency, and problems with the jaws, tissues, muscles, and corresponding facial problems.
Infections of the Teeth and Gums- Broken or damaged teeth can easily become infected, pumping dangerous bacteria directly into the blood stream. Additionally, infected gums can result from hooks or sharp enamel points cutting deep into the tissue surrounding the teeth and cheeks. Uneven tooth surfaces cause feed to become trapped in unnatural spaces, which can result in bacterial build up and infection. Any dental infection in a horse is a serious matter, and can cause the animal to stop eating or even colic. Continuous or repeat dental infections can result in damage to kidneys and liver from bacterial contamination.
As with humans, the best dental medicine for horses is always prevention. This means that all horses need to have periodical dental examinations by qualified professionals, and dental maintenance as required. The most common form of preventive maintenance to avoid dental problems in horses is to rasp or file the teeth. This is known as floating. Floating uses files and other dental tools to grind down the surface of a horse’s teeth, thereby ensuring an even surface upon which the animal can grind its feed. Additionally, floating removes sharp enamel points, hooks, and keeps canine and other teeth at desired and appropriate lengths. Floating eliminates and/or reduces nearly all dental problems, as evidenced by the descriptions above. However, it is also imperative to recognize the potential warning signs of dental problems in horses. When signs of possible dental trouble are noticed, a professional should be consulted to handle the issue and assure the health of your horse. Some of these symptoms or warning signs include the following:
*Difficulty chewing
*Reduced interest in eating
*Loss of skin and coat conditioning
*Head Tossing
*Resistance to bridling
*Performance issues
*Fussing with the bit
*Dropping food from the mouth or chewing with mouth open
*Blood in saliva
*Mysterious cases of colic
*Plaque buildup
*Unusually coarse or undigested food in stool
*Swelling of the face or jaw
*Foul odor
By being vigilant for these signs, and by practicing regular dental hygiene, many serious dental issues in your horse can be prevented or treated before worsening. Again, it is vital to understand that your horse’s mouth is its primary method of communicating with you, so when there are dental issues, it may be difficult to comprehend your animal’s behavior. While the old adage of “never look a gift horse in the mouth” may be a wise practice philosophically, when you suspect health problems in your horse, the best evidence may come from another old adage: “straight from the horse’s mouth…”
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