Equine Dentistry Through the Ages

Learn why thorough dental examinations should begin at birth-and how advanced dental treatments can be important for your horse's long-term health.

- BARB CRABBE

Your vet wants to take radiographs of your horse's mouth. What? you he's never even had his teeth done! What could possibly be wrong?

Lots of things! Just because he looks great and seems to chew just fine, it doesn't mean there's nothing wrong. In fact, if you've never had your horse's mouth examined, there's a good chance that dental disease could threaten his long-term health. And unlike the old days, when your vet didn't have much more to offer than filing off sharp edges or removing rotten teeth, advances in equine dentistry mean there are lots of treatments available these days that can maintain your horse's dental health well into his golden years.

In this article, I'm going to help you understand why examination of your horse's teeth is so important-beginning the day he's born! You'll learn what your vet is looking for as your horse ages, and why it's critical to identify potential problems early. Finally, you'll learn about the treatments that are available if your vet does find something wrong.

The Dental Exam

Do you remember the days when dentistry was just for older horses? When you noticed "Old Dobbin" was having a little trouble chewing you'd call your veterinarian for a "float." Your vet would come, file off the sharp edges that were causing Dobbin discomfort, and he'd be all set for another couple of years. Not anymore! In fact, recent advances in equine dentistry have shown us that regular dental care is crucial throughout all of your horse's life. And at no time is it more important than the early years.

The New Foal Check

When your vet comes to examine your new foal shortly after birth, they will look carefully at your foal's mouth and the shape of his head. If an abnormality is identified, your vet is likely to recommend radiographs to get a more complete picture.