Teeth are just as important for a horse as they are for us.
It is always better to avoid having dental infections, ulcerations, or even inflammation.
We have prepared a guide to help you prevent dental decay to your equestrian friend.
How often do your horse’s teeth need to be checked?
The teeth of your horse should be checked at least once a year.
It will help prevent problems from becoming too severe.
Misbehaving of your horse is sometimes caused by pain from overgrown teeth or sharp points.
There are instances that they would stop eating altogether.
In some cases, dental problems might be unnoticeable. Regular checkups will help prevent this.
There are cases that pain is clear, and it will prompt you to call a professional.
Geriatric horses need more frequent checkups due to problems associated with age.
What are the signs that can be observed?
Your horse not eating is the most common sign of a dental problem.
Some will eat a little and leave pellets behind.
There might be a presence of unchewed food particles in the manure.
Weight loss, bad breath, and swelling of the face are the prolonged effects of this.
In worst cases, tongue abrasions cause bleeding of the cheeks.
It would help if you visited the vet immediately.
What are the leading causes?
Sharp enamel points are a common cause of dental problems.
It causes the horse to change its eating habits resulting in the dropping of feed.
Some are caused by a fractured or loose tooth or a periodontal disease.
There are cases where foreign bodies are stuck inside the mouth. Sometimes, it is caused by aging.
Why does my horse keep on tilting his head while eating?
Tilting one’s head can only indicate that they are trying to adjust how they eat to alleviate the pain.
The leading cause is sharp enamel points.
Why does my horse drool all the time?
There are instances that foreign objects are stuck in your horse’s mouth.
The natural response of their body is to produce more saliva to lubricate the mouth.
Your horse typically salivates more than usual.
Why can’t my horse eat long hays anymore?
As your horse gets older, the grinding capacity decreases.
That’s one of the reasons your horse cannot stand to eat long hays.
What does hard asymmetric swelling indicate?
If your horse’s hard asymmetric swelling causes pain, it means that it is already infected.
The infection can, later on, lead to mouth odor.
Since the upper cheek teeth are connected to the sinuses, a discharge coming out of the nose is possible.
Does it matter if my horse is young or old?
If your horse suddenly stops from eating, it is because chewing is painful.
Young horses usually have this problem because of losing a baby tooth.
For horses more than 20 years old, this may be due to tooth decay.
What can be done?
The most important thing you must remember is to have regular checkups.
Catch it early on before it becomes a problem.
Close monitoring your animal helps a lot.
You may see signs that can help with early diagnosis.
It is your responsibility as the owner to look after your horse’s well being.
