Like humans, horses get two sets of teeth in their lifetime. The baby teeth (also called deciduous teeth) are only temporary. Normally, a horse will have a full set of baby teeth by the age of 9 months. These teeth will start to be replaced around the age of 2.5 years. By the age of 5 most horses have their full complement of permanent teeth.

Veterinarians recommend that your horse’s teeth be examined at least once per year - this applies whether or not there are any manifested signs of dental problems. Horses with dental problems may show obvious signs such as pain or irritation or they may show no noticeable signs at all.

Some horses simply adapt to their discomfort. For this reason, periodic exams by a veterinarian are important. Some visible indicators of dental problems include:

• Loss of feed while eating
• Excessive salivation, slobbering
• Difficulty with chewing
• Long stems or whole grain particles in manure
• Resistance to bridling
• Fighting the bit
• Nasal discharge
• Foul odor from mouth or nostrils
• Swelling of the face, jaw or mouth tissues

Preventative Maintenance

The process of rasping or filing a horse’s teeth is known as "floating." This is the most common dental procedure veterinarians perform on horses. Floating removes sharp enamel points and can create a more even bite plane.

Removing wolf teeth is also a common procedure although not all wolf teeth are troublesome. Wolf teeth are small teeth that commonly erupt in the upper jaw. Veterinarians routinely remove these teeth from riding aged horses to prevent pain or interference from a bit. Removal of the wolf teeth also allows the veterinarian to properly float the cheek teeth.

Age Factor

The age of a horse can have a profound impact on the degree and frequency of dental care required. Horses aged 2-5 years may require more frequent dental exams than aged horses. Deciduous teeth tend to be softer than permanent teeth and may develop sharp enamel points more quickly. There is also an extraordinary amount of activity in a horse’s mouth during its first 5 years - 24 teeth will be shed and replaced during this time with the potential for 12-16 teeth to be erupting simultaneously.

Rewards

There are many rewards to proper equine dental care. Your horse will be healthier and more comfortable, will utilize feed more efficiently, may perform better and may even live longer.

How Horse’s Teeth Develop

Deciduous (baby) teeth

• Fully developed by the age of approximately 9 months

Permanent teeth

• Wolf teeth 5-6 month
• 1st molars 9-12 months
• 2nd molars 2 years
• 3rd molars 3.5 - 4 years
• 1st incisors 2.5 years
• 2nd incisors 3.5 years
• 3rd incisors 4.5 years
• Canines 4-5 years
• 1st premolars 2.5 years
• 2nd premolars 3 years
• 3rd premolars 4 years

Veterinarians recommend yearly dental exams for all horses.

Lay Dentists 

The practice of equine dentistry includes the evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, treatment and prevention of diseases and disorders that can affect your horses teeth, oral cavity, jaw and other associated structures. Only a veterinary professional is well positioned to evaluate your horse and recognize the presentation and contribution of disease to your horses oral health and the contributions of your horses oral health to their general overall health.  

Some horse owners may be tempted to engage "lay dentists" to perform non-professional dental work on their animals. Lay dentistry refers to the practice of filing or rasping a horse's teeth without proper training or veterinary oversight. The Alberta Veterinary Medical Association strongly advises against this, as improper floating can lead to serious issues like tooth damage, pain and difficulty eating. Equine teeth have a complex anatomy, and their routine dental care requires specialized knowledge and equipment to ensure the horse's comfort and long-term oral and general health. For the comfort and safety of the horse and the person performing the procedure, sedation is typically required when performing equine dentistry. Sedation must only be administered under the supervision of a veterinarian who can respond in the unusual event a horse is sensitive or has a reaction to sedation. Complications that may occur from sedation can include allergic reaction, collapse, and excitement. Non-professional dental work also carries risks of injury to both the horse and the person performing the procedure. For these reasons, it is crucial to entrust your horse's dental needs to registered veterinary professionals who can provide safe, effective treatment while adhering to industry standards and best practices.

 

Consult your veterinarian for more information on your horse’s equine dental care.