‘Every tooth in a man’s head is more valuable than a diamond.’ Miguel de Cervantes
Nowadays, it’s relatively common for a horse to outlive his teeth. Or at least, to outlive the best of his teeth. Dental care for the older horse is as important as when they are younger, but in some ways for different reasons.
In horses, their teeth continually erupt. This means that each tooth has a set length, and it gradually works it’s way further and further out. Eventually the tooth will fall out. As the tooth erupts, it changes shape and angle, and in the older horse this can lead to uneven wear.
Common dental problems in the older horse include gum infections, fractured teeth, and sharp points, all of which should be monitored with regular dental checks, and treated as necessary. Some of the signs of dental problems include diarrhoea, bad breath, discharge from the nose, loss of weight, and difficulty eating.
In the UK, you can find a qualified Equine Dental Technician at www.baedt.com.
© Sue Palmer, The Horse Physio 2021
Treating your horse with care, connection, curiosity and compassion
