Is Your Horse’s Mouth the Missing Link in Their Bodywork?

If you’ve had horses for a while, you’ve probably heard the term “get your horse’s teeth floated.” Floating is important, but dental care goes beyond just smoothing sharp edges. Your horse’s dental health is closely linked to their overall wellness. Mouth issues can affect chewing, digestion, posture, and performance.

The Mouth-Body Connection

It might surprise some owners to learn how tightly dental health and overall wellness are connected in the horse. When a horse chews, the jaw moves in a circular, side-to-side motion almost like a figure-eight to grind down fibrous feed. This motion also engages the TMJ, the joint on each side of the jaw. The TMJ is packed with sensory nerves and is situated close to the brain, playing a role in balance and posture as well as chewing. If something in the mouth hurts or is out of alignment, the horse may chew differently or hold its head and neck awkwardly to avoid pain. Over time, these adaptations can affect the entire body's proprioception and way of moving.

Dental Balance 101: What Is a “Balanced” Mouth?

Dental balance means the teeth align and wear in a way that allows normal, pain-free chewing. Horses’ teeth grow continuously, about a few millimeters each year. In the wild, grazing helps wear teeth evenly. But domestic horses often have uneven wear. An imbalanced mouth has teeth that are too tall, sharp, or misaligned. This misalignment is called malocclusion. A balanced mouth has upper and lower teeth making even contact, ensuring smooth grinding.

Several factors can disrupt this balance. For example, a horse’s upper jaw is wider than the lower jaw. This can create sharp enamel points on teeth edges. If not treated, these points can cut the cheeks or tongue, limiting jaw movement. Dental balance also includes incisors. An overbite or underbite can prevent the back teeth from grinding fully.

Common Equine Dental Issues and Their Effects

Many horses develop common dental issues over time. Here are a few and their effects on well-being and performance:

• Sharp Enamel Points: Sharp points can form from normal chewing. They may rub against the cheeks or tongue, causing painful sores. A horse with sharp points may chew gingerly or drop partially chewed hay. Under saddle, these points can cause sensitivity, making the horse resist the bit or toss its head. Thankfully, routine floating can fix sharp points and reduce these behaviors.

• Hooks: Hooks are overgrown teeth that form a hook-like protrusion. They usually occur on the front of the first upper cheek teeth or the back of the last lower cheek teeth. Misalignment during chewing can cause these areas to elongate. Hooks can poke the gums or opposing jaw, causing pain and limiting jaw movement. This can hinder the horse’s flexibility under saddle and create discomfort in the TMJ and poll area. Proper dental care can grind down hooks to restore movement.

• Wave Mouth: Wave mouth refers to uneven molar surfaces with a wave-like pattern. This often occurs in older horses or those lacking dental care. It can start when a tooth overgrows due to missing an opposite tooth, causing uneven wear. Horses with wave mouths may chew inefficiently or take longer to eat. This condition can also strain the TMJ and make bending difficult.

• Other Issues: Other dental problems can include ramps (sloping overgrowths), step mouth (where one tooth is longer because an opposite tooth is missing), and lost or broken teeth. Even wolf teeth (small extra premolars) can cause issues. Missing or painful teeth may lead a horse to chew on one side, creating uneven wear.

Routine Dental Care: Keeping the Balance

How often does your horse need dental care? Generally, adult horses should have a dental exam at least once a year. Many manage with annual exams and floats. Young horses may need checks every six months while losing baby teeth. Senior horses or those with known issues might benefit from twice-yearly visits. Be proactive and don’t wait for big problems. Regular exams help catch sharp points or minor imbalances before they worsen. Think of it like car maintenance; routine checks prevent breakdowns.

A proper dental exam involves more than just looking at the front teeth. It usually starts with sedation to help your horse relax. The practitioner will use a full-mouth speculum to see all the teeth. They’ll use a bright light and often a dental mirror to inspect each tooth and the gums. They may chart their findings like your dentist does. This exam may reveal small hooks, ulcerations, or rare issues like fractures. After a thorough exam, the practitioner will float and equilibrate. Floating can be done with hand tools or power tools. Both can achieve excellent results if done skillfully. A good dental professional will carefully address sharp edges and file down overgrowths.

Beyond the Float: The Importance of Skilled Dental Care

Equine dentistry goes beyond just floating sharp points. It’s about keeping dental balance so horses can live and perform pain-free. This requires knowledge, experience, and the right methods. Whether a dentist uses hand tools or power tools, their skills and technique are what count.

Equine dental care isn’t a one-time fix. It’s part of ongoing horse management. You wouldn’t shoe a horse once and expect perfect hooves forever. Similarly, one dental float won’t last a lifetime. Horses’ teeth change as they age. They erupt, wear down, and can develop new issues like tooth loss or gum disease. Regular care allows us to adapt to these changes and keep horses comfortable through all life stages.

Adult horses in their late teens may finish growing their teeth. As they age, their teeth become smoother. They might need different care, like switching to soaked feeds if chewing hay becomes hard. A skilled dentist or vet will guide you through these changes. They might suggest, “Your horse’s molars are quite worn this year; consider adding a mash or senior feed,” if chewing becomes difficult. This holistic approach blends dentistry, nutrition, and overall care. It helps your horse thrive as its dental needs change.

If you’re noticing chewing changes, training resistance, head tilting, or simply want to keep your horse comfortable and performing their best, a thorough dental evaluation is one of the most impactful steps you can take. Balanced teeth support better chewing, smoother movement, healthier posture, and overall well-being.

Book an appointment with The Zen Vet to schedule your horse’s dental exam and ensure their mouth stays healthy, comfortable, and in balance.

Additional Resources:

Understanding Equine Dental Health & Occlusal Equilibration

• Proper Equine Dental Care: More Than Just "Floating" Teeth | Farnam – A comprehensive overview of what goes into balanced dental care beyond basic floating.

• Equine Dental Care: Painful Points and Uneven Arcades | The Horse – Discusses the mechanics and consequences of sharp points, waves, and hooks.

• Your Horse’s Teeth: Everything You Need to Know | BeChewy – A general guide on signs of dental issues and how to maintain oral health.

The Role of the TMJ in Equine Posture and Movement

• TMJ and Equine Balance | Equine Wellness Magazine – Explores the connection between the jaw joint and whole-body alignment in horses.

  
  

Common Equine Dental Issues

• Dental Terminology: Hooks and Points | Middlesex Equine – Explains common malocclusions like hooks and how they form.

• 20+ Common Dental Issues in Horses | Mad Barn – Covers a wide range of dental problems, from wolf teeth to wave mouth, with treatment tips.

Signs of Dental Pain and Performance Impacts

• Equine Dental Care and Training Resistance | The Horse – How dental discomfort shows up as behavioral and training issues.

• Oral Exams | Starwood Equine Veterinary Services – Why thorough, sedated oral exams are critical for diagnosing issues at the back of the mouth.

Professional Dental Care and Finding a Provider

• American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Dental Guidelines – Professional standards and recommendations for equine dental care.