SPOTTING THE SIGNS OF DENTAL DISEASE

Horses are prey animals so they will show minimal signs of pain or disease in order to prevent them being a target for predators. This can make it tricky to spot the signs of dental pain, so it’s important to be aware of them, and to monitor your horse closely for them. Often, by the time a horse shows signs of dental pain, he may already have severe problems. A regular examination by a vet or a qualified equine dental technician (EDT) will pick up any issues.

Here are some of the signs that can indicate your horse may have a dental problem: Inappetance (lack of appetite).

Selective feeding/avoidance of certain foods.

Difficulty or asymmetry when chewing certain types of food, such as long fibre (hay) or hard foods (carrots).

Quidding (dropping food).

Weight loss (sudden or gradual).

Changes in ridden behaviour, such as head shaking, a reluctance to accept the bit or reluctance to move forward. Halitosis (smelly breath).

Colic. This can be caused by changes in eating habits and prolonged periods of inappetance as a result of dental pain. If you notice any of these signs, you should seek advice from your vet.