Animal Care Hospital - Fayette County Veterinarians, Dental, Dogs, Cats, Horses, Livestock

Equine Nutrition :: Equine Dentistry :: Equine Vaccination/Deworming
Equine Mare & Foal Care :: Equine Castration

Dentistry By Lifestage:

1. Neonatal Exam (Day 1): The foal, mare and placenta should be examined 24 hours after birth. The primary purpose of the exam is to rule out congenital defects and ensure passive transfer of colostrum from the mare to the foal.

2. Weanling (6 months to 18 months): During this period all 24 of the weanlings deciduous (baby) teeth will erupt and come into wear. The primary purpose of the weanling dental exams is to diagnose and correct problems related to malocclusion and wear of the teeth. The owner should know that deciduous cheek teeth are relatively soft and will develop points from normal wear within 3 months of eruption. Dental examination is recommended every 6 months.

3. Trainer (18 months to 2 years): The primary focus during this period is to prepare the youngster's mouth for training and acceptance of the bit. Wolf teeth are extracted, points and transverse ridges are removed from the cheek teeth, and the bit seats are applied to the front cheek teeth. Dental examination is recommended every 6 months.

4. Young Athlete (2 to 5 years): This is the most demanding period of a horse’s life. Of this immature athlete we require performance (whether on the track, in the arena, or on the breeding farm) during a period of both physical and mental growth. This is also a period of great change and growth within a horses mouth. During this 3 -year period all 24 baby teeth are shed and 36-44 adult teeth erupt and come into wear. When caps are shed, adult cheek teeth are in full wear and sharp within 6 months. The purpose of dental examination during this period is to ensure correct eruption of adult teeth, to prevent malocclusion, to remove caps, abnormal deciduous teeth, wolf teeth, and to float points. Dental examination is recommended every 6 to 12 months.

5. Adult Athlete (5 to 10 years): All adult teeth are in wear. Dental examination is recommended annually to ensure correct wear and prevent discomfort.

6. Mature Horses (10 to 18 years): Abnormalities of wear are a significant problem in mature horses. Slight malocclusions and uneven wear patterns place abnormal stresses on teeth in the dental arcades. This predisposes the dental table to abnormal crown wear, crown fracture and periodontal disease. Dental exams are recommended annually.

7. Geriatric Horses (18 + years): Dental examinations to be done annually should be incorporated into a Senior Health Care Visit. The teeth of these horses are usually hard and can be brittle making tooth injury easier. These horses are also more susceptible to oral soft tissue injury and nutritional/ digestive disease secondary to dental problems.

*All geriatric horses should be placed on a prepared Senior diet and be dewormed regularly (at least every 2 months).

Please call Animal Care Hospital if you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions about Equine Dental Healthcare or any other topics. Our job is to serve you and your animals.