Denistry
As the teeth wear, sharp points will ap-
pear on the cheek side of the upper and the
tongue side of the lower teeth. These points
will cause ulceration and discomfort for the
horse. Even the pressure of a halter, bosal, or
hackamore can press the cheeks into these
sharp points, causing the horse to not turn
well. These points can also cause the horse
to throw his head, not stop well, and resist
training.
Wolf teeth are the shallowest rooted
tooth in the horse’s mouth. They will always
affect the horse that is being ridden with a
snaffle bit; and often affect horses being rid-
den with other bits. The wolf teeth should be
removed before they are damaged or broken
The Effects of
off by a bit. It is recommended that the wolf teeth be re-
moved prior to beginning bridle training. Some horse’s
Equine Dentistry
can have a “blind” wolf tooth that lies just under the gum
on Horses in Training
line. These teeth are typically very painful to the horse at
all times, with or without a bit in his mouth. The canine
Contributed by LuAnn Groves, The Whole Horse
teeth may erupt around five years of age. There will be
To understand the effect equine dentistry will have on
discomfort in the horse’s mouth as they erupt, and some
a horse in training, we first need to understand the mechan-
of them may remain just under the surface of the gums,
ics of the horse’s mouth. A normal horse has up to 44 teeth
causing constant irritation to the horse.
at maturity. During the first five years of a horse’s life, these
Good equine dentistry prevents pain and discomfort
teeth are changing drastically. The young horse is losing
in the horse’s mouth. Teeth that are properly aligned will
his baby teeth, shedding the caps off his premolars, and
masticate the food more thoroughly and help the horse
erupting his permanent teeth.
maintain weight during the stress of training. Good mas-
Once the permanent teeth are in place, they will begin
tication of feed will help prevent colic, and reduction of
to wear off at the chewing surface. More tooth will erupt
pain in the horse’s mouth will prevent stress. Stress re-
from the reserve part below the gum line. As this happens,
duction will help prevent ulcers. All horses should have
points, hooks, ramps, and other malocclusions may occur.
their teeth floated once a year, with close attention paid to
These malocclusions will make the horse’s mouth uncom-
the loss of baby teeth and the eruption of permanent teeth
fortable, causing a resistance to training.
in the young horse. Prevention of pain in the horse’s mouth
Young horses are affected by the shedding of caps.
These caps are the baby teeth falling off of the permanent
will make the horse more maneuverable and trainable. w
premolars in the horse’s mouth. Sometimes these
Training Outside the Box
caps do not come off when and how they should.
Problems occur when cap fragments become
wedged between the tooth and the gum of the young
horse. We have removed cap fragments from older
horses that have suddenly stopped performing. We
suspect the fragments shift and irritate the gums. If
the caps don’t shed at the proper time, they can set
the young horses mouth up to become uneven. This
malocclusion will affect horses of all ages. The
lower jaw will not be able to slide against the upper
jaw properly. The temporal mandibular joints will
become uneven, limiting the range of flexion and
extension of the poll. The decreased range of motion in the
Take A Free Lesson On A Morgan Horse!
poll will affect the joints of the neck, limiting the maneu-
Would you like to test drive or ride a Morgan horse?
Levels, Flattens, Breaks Up Dirt Clods, Tears Out Weeds & Grass.
No Corners To Hook Fence Posts. Four Sizes: 5', 6', 7', or 8'.
verability of the horse. A couple of cases were presented at
Now is your opportunity to do it for free!
The American Association of Equine Practitioners meeting
From now until December 31, facilities from around
Replaceable Teeth Now Available!
where hind limb lameness had occurred due to malocclu-
the country, in conjunction with the American Morgan
sions of the horse’s teeth.
Introducing the Arena
Horse Association , are generously offering a unique op-
The young horse loses his baby incisors and they are
Werks H2O & the Arena
portunity for a free riding or driving lesson on a Morgan
replaced with permanent teeth between the age of two and
Werks Pro H2O. Call &
horse. The coupon is good for new students and one free
five. If these incisors aren’t shed at the proper time and in
ask for more information.
lesson per person at participating Morgan farms.
the proper sequence, several malocclusions of the incisors
If you have always wanted to be introduced to the
Manufactured by
can occur. These malocclusions will also prevent proper
Morgan breed, here is your opportunity! To download a
• Call for the Dealer
sliding of the upper and lower jaw, and cause many of the
coupon or to see a list of participating barns, go to
SNODGRESS EQUIPMENT
nearest you
same problems seen with improper shedding of caps.
www.morganhorse.com/shopping/free_lessons/.
2200 C.R. 705 • Joshua, TX 76058
• Delivery Available
Pieces of the baby incisors can break off and wedge be-
Are you interested in joining the Free Lesson
• Dealers W
anted
817-645-5200 • 800-644-3724
tween the tooth and gum, much like the cap fragments men-
Coupon program? Contact
info@morganhorse.com.
www.snodgressequipment.com
w
tioned previously.
July 2009 SouthWest Horse Trader 21
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56