{ Equine Dentistry How It Can Improve Your Driving Horse
Dec 20, 2014
{
Equine Dentistry
How It Can Improve Your Driving Horse
Horses have Hypsodont teeth Continuous eruption until expired Average tooth length 4-5 inches Visible crown much shorter than reserve
crown Younger horses = more tooth
Basic Anatomy
Human tooth vs. Equine tooth
Young tooth vs. Old tooth
Terminology & Purpose
Position
Incisors
Canines
Premolars• Wolf Teeth
Molars
Number
12
0 – 4
120 - 4
12
Purpose
Prehension & Cutting
Defense
Grinding of FoodstuffsVestigial First Premolars
Grinding of Foodstuffs
Eruption Process Foals born with 12 premolars & within days erupt first incisors Weanlings have 12 premolars & 12 incisors
First permanent molar erupts 1 ½ years old Second molar ~3 years old Third molar ~4 years old Molars do not shed caps, only erupt the permanent tooth Therefore, the oldest tooth in a horse’s mouth is the First
Molar (mid-arcade) Incisor caps shed at 2 ½, 3 ½, 4 ½ years old beginning with the
central teeth to corner teeth in pairs (2 upper & 2 lower) Premolar caps shed at 2 ½, 3, and 3 ½ years old in pairs (2
upper & 2 lower)
Wolf teeth usually erupt around 1 - 1 ½ years old Some draft horses have erupted wolf teeth later
Canine teeth erupt at 4 ½ years old
All adult teeth should be visibly erupted by 5 years old!
Every Tooth has Its Number
So What Do All Those Numbers
Mean? Young horses less than 5 years old starting their training
will have a lot of activity going on in their mouths!
This may cause discomfort for the horse - sharp enamel points, loose caps, erupting permanent teeth, cheek lacerations
Many “behavior” issues such as resisting the bit, head tossing, bolting, etc. can be mistaken when in actuality it’s caused by pain/discomfort
Young horses need more frequent dental care or floating due to new eruptions, deciduous caps and “softer” teeth that form enamel points quicker than mature horses
How Do I Know My Horse Has a Dental
Issue?Abnormal Eating
Habits
Not finishing feed Refusal to eat hay
or grain Slowly eating Dropping feed Quidding Head tilting Chewing with
mouth open “Squeaky” noises
when chewing
Clinical Signs
Maxillary or mandibular swelling
Malodorous nostrils or mouth
Nasal discharge Excessive salvation Drainage Choke Colic Undigested feed in
manure
Behavioral Issues
Resistance to bridling
Head shy Resisting the bit Head tossing Bucking Rearing Difficulty bending Gapping the mouth Refusal to collect
Form to Function
Natural head position is altered in performance horses
Dental malocclusions make it mechanically impossible for horses to maintain our desired head-set
Individual horses have different pain thresholds
Most hoses will NOT shows signs of dental abnormalities for long periods of time (months to years)
You don’t know what you don’t see…
Key Points
Case Example 12 year old Welsh Cob Stallion Champion Under Saddle & in Carriage Driving Previous farm had him “Floated” every 6 months w/o sedation New owner & Novice Driver requested dental exam “just to
check”
After consulting with previous owner, they were aware of missing lower premolar…
Pony was always slightly resistant turning to the right
BEFORE AFTER
Minis!
Deserve Special Attention (but you already knew that).
Same number of teeth as the larger breeds, but ¼ of the space!
Relatively HIGHER incidence of dental abnormalities
Overcrowding, abnormal eruption, retained caps most common problems
Minis less than 5 years old or with preexisting dental problems should be examined every 6 months
Virtually impossible to do a thorough exam or use dental equipment in such a small space without sedation
“Chipmunk Cheeks” are usually the result of feed packing between the teeth & cheeks, not necessarily a tooth abscess
Caused by crowding, missing & extra teeth. Or just a very small mouth!
My Horse Needs a Dentist, Now
What? Every dental exam should consist of a full mouth speculum,
light, and palpation of the entire oral cavity
Most horses should have mild, standing sedation for dental procedures
Safer for the horse Safer for the dental provider Safer for the owner/handler Less irritating for the horse Less stress on the TMJ (temporal mandibular joint) Less chance of soft tissue trauma to gums, lips, tongue Provides better access to the rear of the mouth
Wolf tooth extraction should be done under sedation due to the tooth’s close proximity to the palatine artery
Your vet determines the amount of sedation based on the type of dental work, patient’s disposition & horse’s physical condition.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a
Dentist
Education What courses have they completed specifically in Equine
Dentistry? Do they attend annual CE?
Experience How long have they been practicing equine dentistry? How many dentals per year do they do?
Equipment Do they have the necessary equipment? Do they use a disinfectant?
Professional Conduct Does each horse receive a detailed dental chart? Do they take time to explain what they’re doing?
Conclusion
Every horse should have annual dental care No eating or bitting issues do not equal no dental issues Increased levels of performance require the horse to carry its
head in more unnatural positions Providing annual, preventative dental care will make your
driving horse more comfortable, Addressing small dental problems before they get out of hand
will cost you less in the long run Thorough dental care by an experienced provider may
increase your horse’s longevity
Thank You!
Amanda Compton is a registered Equine Dental Technician (EDT) with the VA Board of Veterinary Medicine and has worked in collaboration with vets since 2001. She also works part-time with VA Techs’ Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center’s nursing department. She has coordinated CE programs on
equine dentistry for the EMC, Northern VA Community College & the American Assoc. of Veterinary Technicians. A graduate of WVU with a degree in Animal & Veterinary Sciences, she has worked with horses all of her life. She began her
love of driving while working at Ayrshire Farm from 2001-2006. Now she competes her Arabians in pleasure carriage driving and combined driving events.
Amanda & her husband, Stephen, live in Middletown, VA. She can be reached through her website at www.eqdent.com or by phone 304-582-5885.