Equine Dentistry

A horse’s teeth continue to grow throughout its life. At some point, sharp edges can form, making it painful for the horse to eat or hold a bit. Some signs of this would be dropping grain from its mouth, difficulty chewing hay and sometimes not eating at all. To prevent such problems, you should have your horse’s mouth examined yearly by a veterinarian. 

The veterinarian will check over all of the horse’s teeth, and a speculum will be used to help see in your horse’s mouth. If any sharp points are found, they are then filed down manually with a rasp or a mechanical piece of equipment called a Power Float. Although not painful since a horse’s nerve endings end close to the gum line, some horses may require a little sedation to help them relax. The whole procedure may take 15-20 minutes.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please give us a call at 902.543.5602.