A horse’s teeth continue to erupt throughout their life, but they have only a finite amount of reserve tooth available. Without routine dental care, abnormal dental conformation and other issues can accelerate tooth wear, leading to early tooth loss and systemic problems like colic due to ineffective chewing. Preventative dentistry is essential to ensuring your horse lives a long, happy, and healthy life. Many horses do not show signs of discomfort until their oral problems become severe, making annual dental exams imperative.

Many horses do not show obvious signs of dental issues until problems become severe. However, the following signs may indicate that your horse needs a dental exam:

• Difficulty chewing

• Taking longer to eat their normal amount of feed

• Dropping feed out of their mouth

• Leaving ‘quids’ (chewed-up pieces of grass or hay) in their stall or paddock

• Unwillingness to take the bit or resistance under saddle

• Weight loss

• Bad breath

• Excessive nasal discharge

A proper dental exam includes more than just floating (smoothing sharp points); it also involves occlusal equilibration—adjusting how the upper and lower teeth align during chewing. Maintaining proper occlusion can significantly prolong the longevity of a horse’s teeth. Advancements in equine dentistry, such as power dentistry tools, have improved precision and effectiveness in removing sharp enamel points and correcting dental abnormalities when performed by a licensed veterinarian.

A dental can be performed wherever the horse is located, as long as there is electricity and a dark covered area available.

Basic horse tooth extractions are essential procedures performed to ensure the health and well-being of your equine companion. Whether addressing fractured teeth, wolf teeth, or problematic molars, our skilled veterinarians use safe, precise techniques to minimize discomfort and stress during the process. With a focus on pain management and care, we ensure a smooth recovery for your horse. Regular dental check-ups can help prevent the need for extractions and maintain optimal dental health, so schedule your next appointment today!

Standard oral extractions of compromised, diseased, or fractured teeth

• Wolf Teeth

• Deciduous Teeth (Caps)

• Loose and Compromised Teeth

A proper dental exam includes more than just floating (smoothing sharp points); it also involves occlusal equilibration—adjusting how the upper and lower teeth align during chewing. Maintaining proper occlusion can significantly prolong the longevity of a horse’s teeth. Advancements in equine dentistry, such as power dentistry tools, have improved precision and effectiveness in removing sharp enamel points and correcting dental abnormalities when performed by a licensed veterinarian.

A dental can be performed wherever the horse is located, as long as there is electricity and a dark covered area available.

We are proud to partner with Dr. Lindsay Helvey of Northwest Equine Dentistry, who joins us monthly at our clinic to provide advanced dental care, including:

• Advanced Extractions via partial coronectomy, sectioning and transbuccal approach

• Basic Endodontic Treatment

• Oroscopy and Sinuscopy

• Equine Odontoclastic Tooth Resorption and Hypercementosis (EOTRH) Management