Horse Dental Care Routine and Essential Tools

Looking after your horse's oral and dental health is a vital part to maintain their overall well-being. If such needs are not tended to, it can result in behavioral problems, and poor weight loss, among others. We definitely wouldn't want that to happen.

Ultimately, equine dental health is important because it can prevent pain and discomfort in the mouth that can lead to poor weight gain and decreased performance; as well as improve feeding frequency.

Learning about how equine teeth work and what goes into maintaining it is what we'll be going through in this article to hopefully help horse owners manage this part of their routine better.

Hypsodont Teeth

Horses have hypsodont teeth (incisors and cheek teeth or premolars and molars) that are deep rooted and have about 3 inches of reserve that continues to erupt in the their mouth, out of the their jaw, as the grinding surface is worn away by forages over time. This type of teeth has multiple layers of strong materials such as enamel, dentin, and cementum. As the teeth wear down, sharp enamel parts are left behind or eventually develop points, hooks, and irregular wear, which can then rub on the horse's cheek and tongue while eating. 

A horse's eating manners also affect dental health. The more natural method is eating with their heads below their shoulder level, while horses are fed at higher levels in barns and stables. Because of this, hooks can develop on the upper first molar, among its other causes.

The upper jaw of the horse is wider than the lower jaw to crush food efficiently. They chew laterally and in a circular motion. It helps them tear forages apart for better digestion. If they are not wearing evenly, it can create a negative domino effect where the natural lateral movement is hindered, which can then lead to horses chewing more vertically instead. Chewing vertically does not allow for the proper crushing and grinding of forages therefore losing nutritional benefits in the process. 

What does a horse dental routine consist of?

• Routine Oral Examinations

Regular dental care should begin during yearling year. 

A complete oral/dental examination should be done once or twice a year. For adult horses, doing this annually would suffice while young foals and high performance horses may require dental attention more than once a year to anticipate and prevent behavioral issues. This is because the greatest dental changes occur from ages 2 to 5, experiencing loss of baby teeth and eruption of permanent teeth during these years. 

Examinations need the horse to be sedated by a veterinarian or an equine dental specialists, a speculum, and proper lighting. Motorized dental instruments and carbide float blades also help make routine checks more accurate and comfortable for the horse.

• Floating

  Floating is the process of filing or rasping the sharp enamel points and balancing the dental arcades using hand floats or motorized equipment, since irregularities are common in the molar teeth.

• Correction of Abnormal Wear

  This is the treatment to remove abnormal tooth growth including hooks, steps, or ramps - all of which can possibly lock the jaw and prevent comfortable chewing.

• Removal of Wolf Tooth

  This is the extraction of small, vestigial wolf teeth positioned close to the first molars.

Note: Dental evaluation includes looking at the incisors and molars for proper alignment. Each horse will have different dental needs that you will need to consult with your veterinarian that will require extra processes than the above listed. 

Common horse dental issues:

Some of the most common dental issues in horses include sores, step mouth (which is when the tooth is longer than the opposing tooth), wave mouth (where the chewing surface of the back teeth forms an uneven, wave-like pattern instead of a flat grinding line), and tooth abscess (a painful bacterial infection at the base of a tooth root).

Each of these problems can lead to more serious problems on the way the horse carries a bit or may inhibit in its natural chewing process.

How can you tell if your horse is having issues with their teeth?

• Eating slower than usual due to mouth pain
• Tipping their head to the side to allow chewing food only on one side of the mouth
• Quidding or Dropping food from mouth while eating
• Resistance to bridle and bit
• Tossing its head while bridled
• Mouthing the bit, drooling or excess salivation
• Lacerations of cheek and tongue
• Irregular movement of lower jaw
• There are sharp points  on front of the first upper or lower molars
• Bad breath or halitosis

Our top recommended products for Horse Dental Health

1. Jeffers Horse Dental Float (and Replacement Blades)

   This is an essential tool designed to help maintain your horse's oral health and comfort. Featuring a 26" long handle and a hinged head, this float is versatile and effective for reaching both upper and lower molars with ease. The durable, concave blade ensures consistent contact with the dental surface, making it ideal for smoothing sharp points and correcting irregularities.

2. Jeffers Equine Dental Speculum

   This is a professional-grade tool designed to safely and effectively hold a horse's mouth open during dental procedures. This durable speculum provides optimal access and visibility to the oral cavity, allowing for thorough examinations, floating, and other dental care tasks. Constructed from high-quality stainless steel, it resists rust and corrosion for long-term use and easy sterilization.

3. Probiotic Power Mouthwash

   This advanced probiotic formula is designed to help balance the oral microbiome while supporting cleaner teeth, healthier gums, and long-lasting freshness. Using spore-based probiotics and natural spearmint flavor, it helps reach areas that traditional mouthwashes may miss, promoting a cleaner, healthier feel after every use.

4. Replacement Carbide Blade for Dental Float

   This product is designed for precision and durability. The blade features tungsten carbide chips for long-lasting sharpness and efficient removal of sharp points on horse molars. The concave design from side-to-side ensures proper contact with the dental surface for smooth, even filing. Its curved shape and hinged head make it universal for use on both upper and lower molars.

5. Maxi/Guard Oral Cleansing Gel

   Veterinary Dentistry’s most recommended and effective oral cleansing gel. Natural and safe for daily use to clean teeth with or without brushing while eliminating bad breath. MAXI/GUARD contains Vitamin C and zinc ascorbate which stimulates collagen production to repair oral tissue.

Proper horse dental care can eliminate problems before they can even start causing any pain and discomfort to your animal. Completing dental exams annually or semi-annually is highly recommended and is the best way for you to provide solutions for your horse and promote their holistic health.

References:
https://extension.usu.edu/equine/research/equine-dental-care
https://www.nwequinedentistry.com/educationandarticles/importanceofroutinecare
https://extension.uconn.edu/publication/equine-dental/