Watch for quidding (dropping half-chewed food), weight loss, bad breath, head tossing or resistance in the bridle, and long fibres in droppings. Most horses need a dental check every 6 to 12 months.
Why teeth matter
A horse chews in a grinding, sideways motion that wears the teeth unevenly, leaving sharp points on the outer edge of the upper teeth and inner edge of the lower. These points cut the cheeks and tongue, making eating and being ridden painful.
Signs to watch for
Look for quidding, where the horse drops balls of half-chewed food, along with slow eating, weight loss, bad breath, and whole grains or long fibres in the droppings. Under saddle you may see head tossing, one-sided contact or resistance to the bit.
Keep a routine
Most horses need a check by a qualified equine dental technician or vet every 6 to 12 months. Youngsters and older horses often need more frequent visits, since they change fastest. Regular rasping prevents the sharp edges rather than waiting for problems.
Support an older mouth
Senior horses may lose the ability to chew hay well, leading to weight loss and choke risk. Soaked feeds, hay replacers and a balanced supplement help them keep condition when the teeth can no longer do the job.
Do not wait for pain
Because horses hide discomfort, many carry on eating with a sore mouth. Booking regular checks, rather than waiting for obvious signs, is the kindest and cheapest approach.
