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Reduction in ability to grind fibre
With advancing age, the crown of the molar tooth
becomes worn away, leaving the root of the tooth
exposed. The root has a smoother surface which is much
less efficient at grinding fibre compared to the rough
surface of the crown present in younger animals.
Diastemata
The cheek teeth are normally tightly packed together.
Equine teeth are narrower at the root and as such, as the
horse get older, gaps (diastemata) can start to develop
between the teeth. These gaps allow food to become
trapped between the teeth and can lead to very painful
gum disease (periodontal disease). Signs of this include
bad breath (halitosis), quidding (dropping food), weight
loss and pouching of food in the cheeks. Affected horses
are also more likely to develop choke and impaction colic
due to ineffective chewing of fibre.
Dental care
03
Old Friends...
Dentistry is an essential part of the health care of
the veteran horse. Your horse's teeth should be
examined at least once a year, and more frequently
in some cases.
As veterinary surgeons, we are able to provide
sedation, pain relief and local anaesthesia as
required during dental work, which can allow a more
thorough examination and treatment, as well as less
pain and stress to your horse. This can also be safer
for the horse, veterinary surgeon and handler.
Displaced back tooth with food packing in
a diastema.
Horses with diastemata often
have bad breath. They may lose weight and
develop ‘hamster pouches’ as they entrap
food between the teeth.
Diastema after treatment.
Horses require
careful dietary management to avoid food
impactation of the diastema.
Caring for the
older horse
The dental ageing process