Common Equine Dental Questions

AMANDA COMPTON, EqDTVA Registered

International Assoc. of Equine DentistsMember

Why Do I Need To Float My Horse’s

Teeth? Better mastication (grinding) of

grass/hay/grainPerform better in a bridle or hackamorePrevention of future dental problems

How Often Does My Horse’s Teeth Need

Floating?Every horse at least once a yearYounger horses (≤5 years old) twice a yearOlder horses (≥20 years old) twice a yearPerformance horses twice a yearHorses prone to or with existing

malocclusions (dental abnormalities) twice a year or more

How Much Will It Cost?Routine work is usually less than $100 per

visitSimple Extractions are typically $25-75 per

toothPower work starts at $100

The more severe the problems, the more difficult to correct and higher the cost

The longer a problem has been developing, the longer it will take to correct, hence the more expensive

Prevention is the key!!!

Who Can Perform Equine Dentistry in Virginia?

VeterinariansVeterinary TechniciansEquine Dental Technicians registered with the

Board of Veterinary MedicineThere are currently only 26 registered EqDT’s in VA.

In comparison there are 215,000 equines in the state.

Only licensed veterinarians are allowed to sedate or prescribed medications to your horse.

Will My Horse Need Sedation?Not always. It depends on the horse and situation. A well mannered, relaxed horse can often have routine work

performed without sedation.

Sedation is required for any extractions, severe malocclusions, or power work.

For the horse’s & the technician’s safety, sedation is necessary for any horse that is unruly, scared, nervous, rears, or pushes.

If your EqDT recommends sedation, it is for your horse’s best interest!

Resistance or “fighting” the horse during floating will result in a poor or unfinished job.

Depending on the procedure, horses usually only need (standing) sedation to last 30-45 minutes, with no long term adverse affects.

Should I Have My Vet or EqDT Float My Horses Teeth?

The decision is yours (depending on state laws).Regardless of who you choose, you should make sure that he/she

is experienced in equine dentistry.

EqDT’s should have working relationships with local veterinarians.EqDT’s are NOT legal to sedate or prescribe medications. EqDT’s are not veterinarians, therefore some procedures may

need to be referred to a vet.

Some veterinarians have chosen to specialize in equine dentistry & are very skilled and informed about proper preventative & corrective care (although few & far between).

It’s been estimated that 80% of vet schools only teach less than 3 hours of equine dentistry in their curriculum!

Is a Power Float Better?

Power floating is the term used when the dentist uses motorized equipment to perform the procedure.

Hand-floating is the term used when non-motorized equipment is used.

In skilled hands, either types of equipment can be used to properly do the task. One is neither better than the other.

In some cases, horses with severe problems will require the use of power tools in order to correct the malocclusion.

When Should I Start Floating My

Horse’s Teeth?

Horses should be examined at birth or by the time they are weanlings.

Start routine dental work as yearlings, and every 6 months until all permanent teeth have erupted at 5 years of age.

Why Start So Young?

There’s a lot going on! Between the ages of 1 ½ years and 4 ½ years, your horse may erupt up to 44 permanent teeth and will shed 24 deciduous caps.

Young, erupting teeth are much softer than older teeth, and will sharp enamel points after just a few months.

Permanent teeth do not erupt one right after the other; the rows are often uneven during this time.

Wolf teeth are easier to extract when the horse is younger.

Your horse can concentrate on his training without pain from sharp points, saving you time & money!

What Are The Difference Between Wolf Teeth & Canines?

Canines are predominately found in males, although a smaller percentage of females do develop them.

Canines are longer rooted, sharp teeth that would be used for fighting. The bit is placed behind them.

Either males or females can develop wolf teeth.They can range in number from 0-4 teeth.Wolf teeth are smaller, short rooted teeth. They are

not used for chewing or fighting. The use of a bit often interferes with the wolf teeth,

causing pain or discomfort.

Wolf Tooth vs. Canine

What Are “Caps?”

Caps are deciduous teeth (or baby teeth). Horses begin shedding caps at 2 ½ years of age,

and continue until 4 ½ years.Horses have 12 incisor and 12 premolar caps.The back cheek teeth, or molars, do not develop

caps.

Caps can cause irritation or discomfort when loose and may need to be removed.

Retained caps can cause a malocclusion, pushing the permanent teeth out of place.

What Are Signs of a Dental Problem?

Weight LossFailure to Gain WeightDropping FeedQuiddingEating SlowlyRefusal to Eat Hay“Squeaky” Noises while

eating Head Shyness

ChokeColicFacial SwellingNasal DischargeFoul Oral OdorsHead TossingHead tiltingBitting issues

Quidding

Head tilt when chewing

Abnormal chewing/drooling

Failure to gain

weight/weight loss

Evading the bit

Bucking

What is the Most Common Sign of Dental Problem?

Nothing!Many horses won’t show any

indications that something is wrong until the problem is severe.

Do I Need To Have My Horse’s Teeth Floated If I

Don’t Use a Bridle?YES! Even if you never put a bit in your horses

mouth, it’s teeth are erupting & wearing away, forming sharp points that can be painful.

Not all teeth will wear evenly, which can lead to malocclusions.

Cheek ulcers are often caused from sharp points and are easily prevented through routine dental care.

What is a “Bit Seat?”

A bit seat refers to buffing the sharp edges off the first 4 premolars, behind where the bit rests on the bars of the horse’s mouth.

The purpose is to prevent soft tissue (gums & cheeks) from being pinched between the mouthpiece and premolars.

Most horses benefit from bit seats, especially ones with fleshy bars

How Long Have People Been Floating Their Horse’s Teeth?

A lot longer than you think! There is evidence hundreds of years old.

The US Calvary routinely floated their horses teeth, even during the Civil War.

Dutch painting, 1648 by Paulus Potter

Do Certain Breeds Have More Dental Problems?

Yes, some breeds are more prone to certain issues or abnormalities.

Minis often have under or over bites

Arabs are prone to hooks on molars

QH’s have more muscular cheeks, which can lead to soft tissue abrasions against sharp teeth

What About Wild Horses?

Horses in the wild do develop dental abnormalities, but to a lesser extent.

Their diets consist of coarser grasses, shrubs, leaves, etc.They spend more time grazing than their domestic

cousins in stables and paddocks.If a major dental problem does arise, nature usually

“takes it’s course.”Horses in the wild do not live as long as our own equine

companions.Wild horses never have to carry a bit in their mouths.

Is Floating My Horse’s Teeth Painful?

If the equine dental practitioner is skilled in placement of his tools, then floating is generally painless.

Horses have hypsodont teeth: longer reserve crows and shorter roots than human teeth.

An uncooperative horse can damage soft tissue (gums, tongue, cheeks) on sharp instruments & should be sedated by your veterinarian.

How Do You Look In A

Horse’s Mouth?

The only way to perform a full exam is with a speculum, good light, and feeling the dental arcades (rows of teeth), tongue, and soft tissue.

Just pulling the tongue out to the side DOES NOT constitute a thorough dental exam & will surely miss many problems!

If you have any other questions or would like to make an

appointment, please contact:

Amanda Compton, EqDT

1196 Hites RoadMiddletown, VA 22645

Cell: 304-582-5885Email: eqdent@aol.comwww.eqdent.com & now

on Facebook!