How important is dental work for a young horse?

It’s not uncommon for people to think my horse is too young to have dental problems and feel it’s not necessary to get their teeth done before breaking in/starting. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

Just like children, horses go through stages of change in their mouths as they grow. They lose baby teeth or caps and often suffer more discomfort than older horses when their permanent teeth are coming through.

Benefits of getting your young horse’s teeth done before introducing them to the bit

– better acceptance of the bit

– lessens the chance of developing bad habits such as head throwing, lugging or holding their head to one side, open mouth, tucking their head, or carrying it high, all in an attempt to avoid pain/discomfort.

– accept the contact with bit better.

– reduce any sharp teeth that may cause pain/discomfort and allow the teeth to wear correctly. Sharp teeth or caps can cut/lacerate the inside of the cheek when the bit is pulled being painful for the young horse just learning to accept the bit.

– remove wolf teeth, if present (small tooth that sits in front of the 1st cheek tooth) they have a nerve supply so therefore can be painful when a bit is placed in the mouth. The bit can easily irritate or loosen the wolf teeth over time.

– eliminate the possibility of the bridle cheek strap pressing against loose caps that may be sore or swollen on the inside of the mouth.

– if your horse is pain free and has a well balanced mouth, they will learn and concentrate better, especially in those important first few weeks of breaking in/starting.

Young horses have a lot of changes going on in their mouths between the ages of 2-4 years, this is when they’re shedding caps and getting permanent teeth. It is not not possible to see the back teeth without a gag and things such as loose caps, sharp edges and uneven wearing are not possible to be checked from the outside.

A lot of time and effort has gone into looking after your young horse to this stage of their life when they’re finally ready to be started under saddle, all the more reason to make sure their 1st introduction to their future education is pain free and pleasant.