Equine Teeth

Grazing

Equines have teeth suited for _____?

Hypsodont dentition

High crown, root, cement reinforces tooth, molar/premolar top surface wears away, sharp edges slide across each other - shearing

Enamel, dentin, cement

3 layers in the crown

Enamel

Ridges in tooth, hardest substance in body

Dentin

Hard, but not the hardest. In center of the tooth

Cement

Bone-like, provides support. Fills in between central part and surface

7 years

Teeth stop forming in jaw around ____

Incisors

Bite/tear off forages

Premolars and Molars

Teeth for grinding

Canines

Typically males have these teeth, erupt around 4-5 years of age and may be painful, purpose is fighting

Wolf Teeth

First premolar, usually in upper arcade, erupt at 5-6 months, 70% of horses have these, vestigial

Hook

Sharp points on teeth in the upper arcade

Ramp

Sharp points on teeth in the lower arcade

Feeding practices and structure of the jaw

Cause of hooks and ramps

Once a year

How often a horse should get a dental exam

Quidding, trouble eating, weight loss, avoidance of bit contact, head tossing

Signs of dental problems

Time of castration

When are wolf teeth removed in males

Cap removal

Deciduous teeth that don’t fall out, get stuck on permanent teeth

Tartar buildup on canines, incisor abnormalities, step mouth, wave mouth, shear mouth

Common equine dental problems