Although equine dentistry is often neglected, good dental care is essential for a horse´s wellbeing.

During their lifetime horses have two sets of teeth, just like us. They have baby teeth (deciduous teeth) that start to grow as soon as they are born and these are eventually replaced by their permanent teeth. By carefully examining their teeth’s appearance, conformation and signs of tooth eruption it is possible to estimate a horse´s age.

Domestication brought significant changes to a horse’s diet. In the wild these animals spend most of their day grazing and therefore chewing grasses. Their teeth grow continuously throughout their lives (at a rate of 2 to 3mm per year) and the wear caused by their diet is balanced by this constant teeth eruption.

Changing their diet from grass to hay and concentrates causes them not to wear their teeth evenly as they would in the wild. Under these conditions it is a lot more likely for a horse to develop dental abnormalities such as over-crowding, teeth alignment problems and focal overgrowths (hooks, ramps or sharp enamel points). These abnormal growths can cause ulceration, pain and even restrict the free movement of the jaw causing difficulties eating and eventually weight loss. These sharp edges must be corrected as soon as possible to avoid pain, discomfort and to prevent any dental problems from progressing and getting worse.

Horses can show several signs that could indicate a dental problem: bad breath, dropping food from their mouth, difficultly when being ridden, presenting head tilt or head shaking, facial swellings, nasal discharges, excessive drooling, putting hay in their water bucket to soak it (making it easier to chew), loss of appetite and weight loss.

Horses should be feed an adequate diet and have their teeth checked at least once a year by a vet to detect any upcoming problems as early as possible. Please remember that these check-ups should happen regardless of any symptoms being shown as many horses may suffer in silence. Regular dental check-ups are essential to keep your horse free of pain, healthy and on top of his or hers performance.

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Of all domestic animals the horse is the most sensitive to tetanus. This is a life-threatening condition caused by the toxins released by the bacterium Clostridium tetani, which can be found in the soil. It can enter tissues through small puncture wounds or minor cuts such as a nail or a thorn prick. These may go unnoticed and provide an ideal site for infection. Vaccination is the most effective way to provide long term protection against this disease.

Equine Influenza (Flu)

Equine influenza is a virus of the respiratory tract that spreads very easily from horse to horse.  This is a debilitating virus that has a great impact in their health and performance. Affected horses are more susceptible to secondary infections such as bronchitis or bacterial pneumonia.

Vaccination against equine influenza is considered very effective. It is recommended to vaccinate all horses that regularly come in contact with unfamiliar horses. Unfortunately equine influenza outbreaks are still common in the UK.  Keeping vaccination schedules up to date is believed to be the main reason why the numbers of large epidemics have been reduced, as well as the incidence of this disease during an outbreak.

Influenza vaccination is currently mandatory for all horses using racecourse premises and it is required for horses competing or racing at their events.

Vaccination is a quick, practical and proven method of protection against these diseases. Consult your veterinary surgeon regarding vaccination schedules. Your vet will gladly advise you on the most suited vaccination plan for your horse based on your animal’s lifestyle and the manufacturer’s recommendations for the vaccines.

Would you like to know more about horses? Check our Equine Courses:

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