Steven Clark Equine Dentistry Services

horse skull Keep up to date on your horse’s health, so that you can avoid your horse developing any problems, resulting in unnecessary suffering.

Every horse shows different degrees of pain with regard to dental disorders. Horses with huge problems may act reasonably normal, while a horse with small abnormalities may cause consistent problems while in work, riding or training.

Some common symptoms include:

Head shaking and tossing, head shyness
Feed packing (you could see possible bumps protruding from under the cheeks)
Bad breath
Biting problems (sudden refusal or reluctance to accept the bit)
Reluctance to eat
Pulling head to one side when in work and head tilting when eating.
Quidding (dropping small balls of chewed forage and grain when eating)
Large particles of grain and hay in manure
Opening and crossing of the jaw when asked to collect.
TMJ sensitivity
Tucked up shortening of the stride
Possible impactions and colics
Trouble keeping weight on, large quantities of food required
Swelling and abscesses on the head
Sinusitis with or without nasal discharge
Overall loss of performance.

Oral Examinations

An oral examination can assess the occlusion (surface to surface contact between opposing teeth), of both incisors and molars.

Molar arcades are important to check and make sure there is no resistance or interference of long, ramped, hooked or ridged teeth, which would greatly affect the horses chewing cycles and overall performance. Not to mention the effect on the TMJ joint.

Age 0 – 18

Foals should be checked soon after birth and at weaning for congenital defects in head symmetry or mastication. Then every six months thereafter to check for sharp points, abnormal wear and improper number of teeth.

Age 2+

2 year olds need checking every 6 months to remove and check for caps which can cause great pain when chewing and can cause future problems if not removed at the right time, or if the cap is retained. Wolf teeth may be present and need extracting. There may also be sharp points that will need rasping which will make the horse more comfortable, especially if you are starting with bits and riding.

Breakdown of oral examination

Abnormal eruption patterns / malocclusions, wear pattern, sharp points, loose teeth, cracked teeth, pockets, infections, retained caps and wolf teeth. Soft tissue examined for scars, wounds, ulcers, cuts, also on the tongue.

Finally, TMJ for soreness. Check lateral movement for grinding food efficiancy.


Home Benefits Symptoms Case Histories Prices Glossary About Contact	Symptoms Keep up to date on your horse’s health, so that you can avoid your horse developing any problems, resulting in unnecessary suffering. Every horse shows different degrees of pain with regard to dental disorders. Horses with huge problems may act reasonably normal, while a horse with small abnormalities may cause consistent problems while in work, riding or training. Some common symptoms include: Head shaking and tossing, head shyness Feed packing (you could see possible bumps protruding from under the cheeks) Bad breath Biting problems (sudden refusal or reluctance to accept the bit) Reluctance to eat Pulling head to one side when in work and head tilting when eating. Quidding (dropping small balls of chewed forage and grain when eating) Large particles of grain and hay in manure Opening and crossing of the jaw when asked to collect. TMJ sensitivity Tucked up shortening of the stride Possible impactions and colics Trouble keeping weight on, large quantities of food required Swelling and abscesses on the head Sinusitis with or without nasal discharge Overall loss of performance. Oral Examinations An oral examination can assess the occlusion (surface to surface contact between opposing teeth), of both incisors and molars. Molar arcades are important to check and make sure there is no resistance or interference of long, ramped, hooked or ridged teeth, which would greatly affect the horses chewing cycles and overall performance. Not to mention the effect on the TMJ joint. Age 0 – 18 Foals should be checked soon after birth and at weaning for congenital defects in head symmetry or mastication. Then every six months thereafter to check for sharp points, abnormal wear and improper number of teeth. Age 2+ 2 year olds need checking every 6 months to remove and check for caps which can cause great pain when chewing and can cause future problems if not removed at the right time, or if the cap is retained. Wolf teeth may be present and need extracting. There may also be sharp points that will need rasping which will make the horse more comfortable, especially if you are starting with bits and riding. Breakdown of oral examination Abnormal eruption patterns / malocclusions, wear pattern, sharp points, loose teeth, cracked teeth, pockets, infections, retained caps and wolf teeth. Soft tissue examined for scars, wounds, ulcers, cuts, also on the tongue. Finally, TMJ for soreness. Check lateral movement for grinding food efficiancy.