!.. equine teeth guide

Dr_Ghaffari

Active member
On the look out
There are some things you can look out for that indicate a tooth problem .
Watch your horse while he feeds – does he seem reluctant to eat? Is he eating more slowly than usual , or is he leaving some of his feed? If the answer to any of these is “ yes “ , then it`s wise to ask a vet or EDT to examine your horse`s mouth , as there is likely to be a problem with his teeth . look out for the following when your horse is feeding…
• Chewing with his mouth open
• Dropping partially-chewed food out of his mouth ( “Quidding“ )
• Turning his head to the side whilst he is chewing
• Excess salivation while eating ( know as bruxism )
• Blood in his saliva.
All of this signs require attention from a vet or EDT.
It`s worth giving your horse a “ once – over “ betwin his regular checks , in order to spot any problem that may require urgent attention. Firstly , take a sniff at your horse`s mouth and nose – a particularly foul smell coming from either of these indicates a problem with the teeth .
Take a good look at your horse`s jaw to check for any draining from an abcess . Look at his nostrils too discharge from only one nostril a sign of a possible dental problem. Examine his face for swellings , and look for excessive salivation .
Examine his horse`s droppings – if they contain undigested feed , it could be because his teeth aren`t able to grind his food properly .
Dental problems can also cause colic , although this can be triggered by a number of different things .​
 

Dr_Ghaffari

Active member
Saddle sore
Many problems under saddle can be tooth related , including :
• Gaping the mouth
• Difficulty in picking up canter
• Difficulty performing flying changes
• Head-tossing
• Bucking
• Tilting the head
• Difficulty bending
• Refusal to collect
• Difficulty in getting on the bit
• Tendency to go behind the bit.
If your horse does display any of these signs , call your vet , who will examine your horse`s mouth , among other things​
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Dr_Ghaffari

Active member
! Open wide
Rasping ( or floating ) the teeth involves the removal of sharp points or protuberant areas of teeth with a float ( metal file ) or with power equipment . floating is something of an art , and in the wrong hands , a float can do more harm than good !
Care must be taken not to wear away to much of the tooth`s surface , otherwise it won`t be rough enough to grind food . Furthermore , excessive rasping could expose the sensitive interior on the tooth or damage the sensitive pulp , which may lead to the tooth having to be removed.
The incisor teeth may need some attention , as unlevel incisors will force the teeth apart as the horse chews . work may also be carried out on the wolf teeth , depending on whether they are causing a problem – in some causes , they will need to be removed .
Plaque build-up also needs to be monitored . plaque often forms around the base of the canine teeth and also , very commonly , on the base of the lower , corner incisors. If it stays there for too long it can cause inflammation of the gum .
Most horses need to have their teeth floated every 12 months – but remember , each horse is individual , so your vet or EDT will be able to advise you on this.
The moral of the story is that prevention is better than cure! In order to avoid your horse suffering pain and discomfort , make sure that you get his teeth examined on a regular basis . It is also wise to continuously be on the lookout for signs of the possible problem , so you can seek immediate advice .​
 

Dr_Ghaffari

Active member
Most of us don`t think twice when we put a bit into our horse`s mouth – after all , it`s been common practice for years , and as long as we can stop him , that`s all that matters – right? Wrong , your horse could actually be in a huge amount of pain , which could stem from problems with his teeth .
First , important to consider the position of the bit in a horse`s mouth . If correctly fitted , it will lie in the “ interdental space “ – this is the toothless area between the incisors and the cheek teeth . In a horse with canine teeth , the bit should lie between these and cheek teeth . this space provides an area for a bit to lie comfortably , without interfering with the normal position of the jaws when they close . So it`s a good idea to check that your horse`s bit isn`t positioned too low or too high , which will cause it to push against the teeth and cause discomfort .​
 

Dr_Ghaffari

Active member
Size matters!
Consider the size and shape of the bit as well . The structure of the mouth , and the space that`s available for carrying a bit , varies between horses .Because a horse`s teeth continually erupt , his mouth will change shape as he ages . The older the horse , the more room there will be in his mouth for the bit, therefore , more complicated mouthpieces can be introduced as the horse matures , and also as his level of training increases .
It shouldn`t be assumed that bitless bridles give the horse`s mouth an easy ride! Although there is no metal inside the horse`s mouth , pulling on the reins nevertheless creates pressure along the outer edges of the horse`s cheeks . As a result , the inner surface of the horse`s cheeks are pressed against the outer edges of the upper cheek teeth . So it`s important that these teeth have no sharp enamel points , which would make the soft tissues in the mouth vulnerable to laceration . Likewise , “ baby “ premolars that fail to shed , have the same effect on the cheek tissues when sideways pressure is applied .
An incorrectly fitted bit can cause tissue to become “ bunched “ between the bit and first lower cheek tooth , where it may be pinched or lacerated large , painful ulcers can also form under the mouthpiece , irritating the tissue every time the bit moves .
Because horses tend to push into pain , this may cause the horse to lean onto the bit on the affected side.​
 

Dr_Ghaffari

Active member
Pain prevention
A vet or EDT can prepare a young horse`s teeth for the bit , in order to minimize the risk of him creating a negative response to it , such as head-tossing . For example , retained deciduous teeth , and also wolf teeth , can interfere with the action of the bit , so are often removed .
Generally , it`s important that any dental problems are corrected instead of simply trying out another bit . After all , it`s best to take preventive measures than to discover that your horse`s poor performance could have been prevented by proper tooth care.​
 

Dr_Ghaffari

Active member
Who to consult
Just like you wouldn`t go to just anyone for a dental check-up , filling , or other work on your own teeth , horse`s mouth also need expert attention ! So who exactly should you ask to examine your horse`s mouth?
Well , either your veterinary surgeon or qualified EDT can provide dental treatment for your horse . There may be a situation in which your horse will need to be sedated for this work to be done , so you should be aware that only a veterinary surgeon can legally administer a sedative drug .
You should only ask correctly trained and legally accredited individuals to treat your horse.
The British equine veterinary association ( BEVA ) are involved with the training and examination of EDTs , and individuals who pass a BEVA exam may join the British association of equine dental technicians ( BAEDT ) . However , you should be aware that some EDTs are members of non-BEVA associations .
There is a list of EDTs who have passed the BEVA exam , on a link at BEVA`s website . You can view this list , simply by clicking on the website : www.beva.org
 
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