Equine Dentistry
Equine dental health is essential to your horse’s overall wellbeing. At Mt Barker Veterinary Hospital, we provide expert dental services tailored to horses of all ages, breeds, and disciplines. Whether it’s routine maintenance or advanced procedures, our experienced team ensures your horse stays healthy, comfortable, and pain-free.
How Often Does My Horse Need a Dental Check?
Horses spend an average of 10 hours a day eating, and their teeth grow continually, erupting about 2–6 mm each year. This natural wear can lead to uneven and/or sharp tooth surfaces. We recommend routine dental exams every 6 to 12 months, or sooner if any issues arise. Your horse should receive their first dental exam before being broken in to prevent early discomfort or training issues.
Common Signs of Dental Pain
While some horses may show obvious signs of dental pain, others may not. Keep an eye out for these common indicators:
* Dropping or quidding feed
* Weight loss or poor condition
* Bad breath or nasal discharge
* Resistance to the bit or head tossing
* Facial swelling or drooling
Even if you don’t notice these signs, routine dental checks are crucial to detect underlying issues early. Catching dental problems early allows for prompt intervention and correction. It also allows us to file sharp points that naturally arise on the teeth, ensuring your horse’s comfort and preventing ulcers from forming in the mouth from the teeth rubbing.
What Happens During a Routine Dental Examination?
Our dental procedures are carried out with your horse’s comfort and safety as our top priority. Here’s what a typical dental exam involves:
1. Health Check & Sedation - A full health check is performed, followed by appropriate sedation to ensure comfort and safety. Sedation allows us to properly examine all teeth — including the back ones — which cannot be fully accessed without it.
2. Support & Safety - Your horse’s head is safely supported using a dental halter or headstand, giving us full access to the mouth.
3. External Examination - We assess the jaw movement, chewing muscles, salivary glands, skull bones, sinuses, and lymph nodes.
4. Oral Exam - The mouth is rinsed to remove food and a dental light is used to inspect teeth, gums, cheeks, and tongue. Each tooth is examined for abnormalities, disease, or pain.
5. Power Floating - Abnormalities are addressed using a power-float, a tool that safely and effectively smooths sharp points and uneven teeth with minimal discomfort.
6. Final Rinse - After the procedure, the mouth is rinsed to remove any residue and tooth particles.
Common Dental Problems
* Hooks & Ramps – Sharp points or overgrown molars causing pain and ulcers
* Malocclusions – Misalignment of the teeth, like wave or step mouth
* Wolf Teeth – Often removed to prevent discomfort from the bit
* Fractured or Impacted Teeth
* Periodontal Disease
* EORTH – Painful root disease affecting incisors and canines
Dental Extractions
In some cases, dental extractions may be necessary. With digital X-ray technology and specialist dental equipment, we perform minimally invasive extractions with precision and care. Dr. James and our skilled team ensure that all extractions are done safely, with proper pain management and follow-up care.
