Dental Care
We recommend that all horses have a routine dental examination and appropriate treatment at least annually.
If your horse is insured, most providers will insist annual dental work is carried out and failure to do this may void your policy cover.
Most competition horses benefit from six-monthly check-ups which allow minor, performance enhancing changes to be made.
The examination, using a head torch and mirror, allows assessment of the teeth and the soft tissues of the mouth.
It also allows us to identify any displaced teeth or gaps (diastemata) between the teeth that may require further treatment.
Routine dental care
The cheek teeth of horses continually erupt, so develop sharp edges on the outside (buccal) aspect of the upper cheek teeth and the inside (lingual) aspect of the lower cheek teeth.
If these are not regularly reduced, they can become very sharp and the horse may resent being bitted and ridden or struggle to eat.
In severe cases, we will also see ulceration on the inside of the cheeks where the sharp points have been rubbing.
If there is ulceration, this usually heals once the sharp edges are removed. We have the capability to rasp teeth using manual rasps or power tools.
We are also able to sedate your horse if it is required to complete the job safely and to the highest possible standard.
On the first Thursday of every month we perform routine dental work at a reduced price.
We also offer this, together with a free visit for yards with five or more horses. Please note that payment at the time is mandatory.
The cheek teeth of horses continually erupt, so develop sharp edges on the outside (buccal) aspect of the upper cheek teeth and the inside (lingual) aspect of the lower cheek teeth.
If these are not regularly reduced, they can become very sharp and the horse may resent being bitted and ridden or struggle to eat.
In severe cases, we will also see ulceration on the inside of the cheeks where the sharp points have been rubbing.
If there is ulceration, this usually heals once the sharp edges are removed. We have the capability to rasp teeth using manual rasps or power tools.
We are also able to sedate your horse if it is required to complete the job safely and to the highest possible standard.
On the first Thursday of every month we perform routine dental work at a reduced price.
We also offer this, together with a free visit for yards with five or more horses. Please note that payment at the time is mandatory.
Other problems
We can also treat fractured teeth, non-vital pulp exposures (i.e. the tooth may be dead and requiring extraction) and tooth root abscesses.
Sometimes we will require radiographs to assess the teeth roots and plan the most appropriate treatment for your horse.
For information on our more complex dental services, please download this fact sheet:
We can also treat fractured teeth, non-vital pulp exposures (i.e. the tooth may be dead and requiring extraction) and tooth root abscesses.
Sometimes we will require radiographs to assess the teeth roots and plan the most appropriate treatment for your horse.
For information on our more complex dental services, please download this fact sheet:
