Questions for Joel from our community.
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"I have a hard time "reading" their teeth, I have looked for websites and books that have diagrams which is what I really need..."
I have 4 horses at the moment, and I do all my own buying, can you give me some tips to look for as far as how old the horse really is, I like buying young horses and breaking them myself, but I have a hard time "reading" their teeth, I have looked for websites and books that have diagrams which is what I really need, can you help? Thanks
Joel Wengert's Answer:
Try this link:
horses-arizona.com/pages/articles/teeth.html
"almost looks like there isn’t enough room for these teeth to grow in. Will they eventually catch up to the rest of the teeth, or do I need help from a dentist?"
Hello Joel,
I have a newly purchased 3-year-old Mini Shetland. Her Incisors (2 front and bottom) are smaller than the rest and discolored. The bottom tooth to the left of the incisor is shaped a little differently, and it almost looks like there isn’t enough room for these teeth to grow in. Will they eventually catch up to the rest of the teeth, or do I need help from a dentist? Here in a small village in Switzerland the Equine care, and especially dental, isn’t as advanced, or practiced like it is in the US. I was told that she wouldn’t live long if her teeth aren’t real great in the front. Her bite seems to be fine, and she isn’t having a problem yet, any suggestions?
Joel Wengert's Answer:
Krissy without seeing the horse it is hard to say for sure but you should be all right. At 2 years of age they lose their central incisor baby teeth so those should be her permanent incisors. All of her permanent incisors will be in at 4. You could have her looked at by someone if you're really concerned or just keep an eye on them for any changes, or e-mail some pictures so I can see the mini's incisors. Hope this helps.
Joel Wengert
"I saw his tongue sticking out....?"
I have an 18-year-old quarter horse gelding. He puts his top teeth on the wood in his stable and pulls. Yesterday when I was putting his hackamore on I saw his tongue sticking out. I looked in his mouth and it looks like his top teeth are even with his gums, straight across. I have only had this horse for about 8 months and they didn't look like this when I bought him. Is there anything I can do to help him?
Joel Wengert's Answer:
Cindy, it sounds like your horse is a cribber; in many cases it is not a major problem. I would suggest getting his teeth checked by a qualified dentist or veterinarian.
Joel Wengert
"When he eats he throws his head back....?"
I have an 11-year-old bay horse. When he eats he throws his head back when he goes to chew. I know that is not normal, so I had his teeth floated and still a month later he is still throwing his head back. What could the problem be? Hope you can help thank you.
Joel Wengert's Answer:
Clint, without seeing the horse it is had to say. If you have gotten a thorough float done, and he still is doing it, he could have now formed a bad habit. I would have your local veterinarian look at the horse to make sure there is not some other kind of problem with the horse. Hope this helps
Joel Wengert
"Recently he has acted a bit barn sour...?"
Dear Joel,
My horse is 9yr old. I had a vet examine him when I purchased him. A year ago He suggested teeth floating. I ride with a Tom Thumb shank snaffle bit. Recently he has acted a bit barn sour, and is beginning to rear when I have to hold him back too. I wonder if floating his teeth might help I am hoping this will make bit contact more pleasant. He was very pleasant to ride on trail etc. until recently. I suspect he may have wolf teeth, and or his teeth are bothering him. Thanks for you help
Joel Wengert's Answer:
Sparks,
Yes I would definitely suggest getting your horses teeth floated; it definitely could be a dental problem. Getting a float with bitseats will give bit relief and comfort to the horse. Hope this helps,
Joel Wengert
"What is the deal with these messy eaters...?"
I have a 3yr. old who drops her feed like crazy. Is she just a messy eater or does she need her teeth floated. Her weight is good. We have several others that drop alt of feed while eating and others that don't drop a morsel. What is the deal with these messy eaters and what can be done if anything, to make it better? Thanks for your reply!
Joel Wengert's Answer:
Jo,
The feed dropping could definitely be a dental problem. A three year old could be losing some caps or baby teeth or have a retained cap that will cause her some problems eating or spilling feed. There are some horses that drop feed whether they are floated or not. Every horse has a different way of eating; some are just messier than others.
Hope this helps,
Joel Wengert
"Yearling stallion who has one upper front tooth that is out of line..."
What are your thoughts regarding a yearling stallion who has one upper front tooth that is out of line? It sticks out slightly further than the rest, but is the only one. Would this be due to growth of the colt or would it be categorized with parrot mouth?
Joel Wengert's Answer:
Julie, regarding your yearling stallion, without seeing his mouth, or a picture I can't tell you for certain that he is not a parrot mouth, or that you even have a problem. I don't think I would be too worried about it at this time due to the fact that they are deciduous or baby teeth, and there was only one out of alignment. They lose there incisor caps and permanent come in starting with the central incisor at 2-2-1/2 3-3-1/2 4-4-1/2. He also could have got that tooth hung up on something to cause the problem to, but being that it is not a permanent tooth you should be all right, and if you were concerned you could have him looked at.
Hope this helps
Joel
"She drops most of her food all over the place..."
My 4 year old mare had her teeth floated about 4 months ago. She still drops most of her food. She drops it all over the place. Is this because she does not make enough saliva or do I need to have her teeth checked again? The vet used an electric rasp on her.
Joel Wengert's Answer:
Ken,
It is probably not a dental problem if you just had her teeth floated, and she is properly balanced and at the right table or molar angles, but it wouldn’t hurt to recheck her. Some horses are just that way. I have a dunn horse that has lost food forever. If they are real cautious or looking around all of the time they eat their grain they usually lose a lot.
Hope this helps if not write me back.
Joel
"I recently had my horses teeth floated..."
I recently had my horses teeth floated. Since then she keeps dropping her head as if to pull the reins out of my hand. How do I tell if it's a tooth problem or if my Bridle is not adjusted correctly? Thank You, Mike Gleason.
Joel Wengert's Answer:
Mike, If you just recently got your horse floated, I would say it probably isn't her teeth. On most riding horses,they do a performance float which includes bitseats which help make the horses more comfortable in the bridle. If your horse wasn't dropping her head before the float and all of your equipment is the same, you could have her checked again to see if they put bitseats on her. Horses 4 years old or younger have deciduous or baby teeth called caps. They shed and when they do it could be causing her some problems. About your bridle, if your worried about the adjustment or think it is the bridle try another bit and see if she gets along better with it.
Hope this helps,
Joel.
"He has suddenly developed a golf ball sized knot in the middle of his fore head right between his eyes..."
My 8 year old quarter horse has suddenly developed a golf ball sized knot in the middle of his fore head right between his eyes. The knot appeared with out any trauma, that i know of, though he does go out daily in a pasture with other horses. The hair is still growing over it and it doesnt seem that sensitive. I had the vet take skin samples which he took to the lab and had no explaination for, and said it was just some sort of mass. I am wondering if this bump could be related to his teeth and if you have any advice on treatment. please reply! Desperately, Katie
Joel Wengert's Answer:
Katie, The mass, or growth on you're horse's head doesn't sound like a dental problem if it is in the middle of his head, sense there are no teeth in that area If he is not sensitive to the touch it could be numerous different things. It sounds more like a veterarian issue than dental. I don't know if x-rays could help but they won't hurt, if it is a dental issue you would need x-rays to be sure of the problem, and or to locate the exact area or problem for any proceedure.
Hope this helps and good luck
Joel
