Berwyn Equine Dentistry

16/07/2025

Yesterday we saw a lovely pony who unfortunately was missing its lower 8s, meaning the upper 8s were erupting into the spaces left, locking the jaw into place.

03/07/2025

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To sedate or not to sedate

The question of sedation for routine equine dental procedures is one that often sparks discussion, and for good reason. Every horse is an individual, and ensuring their safety, comfort, and welfare during dental work is always the priority.

With the advancements in modern equipment, routine equine dental care has become far more precise and thorough than ever before. Many horses are able to comfortably tolerate comprehensive dental examinations and treatment without sedation, particularly when handled by skilled and experienced practitioners. BAEDT members are highly proficient not only in their dental work but also in equine behaviour and handling, allowing them to work calmly and effectively in a wide range of situations. Our members work day in, day out with unsedated horses, where horsemanship, patience, and handling skills are fundamental to carrying out thorough and precise treatments.

It’s also important to understand that carrying out a routine dental on an unsedated horse requires a different set of skills compared to working on a sedated horse. The ability to assess, reassure, and work with a horse that is fully conscious is a testament to the horsemanship, experience, and sensitivity our members bring to their work.

That said, sedation absolutely has its place, and for some horses sedation is essential to ensure dental procedures are carried out safely and thoroughly. There are a number of reasons why horses may require sedation for dental treatments, including if the horse is in pain, if they are anxious and their behaviour. BAEDT members are able to recognise when sedation is in the horse’s best interest and will always discuss with the owner and their vet to determine the most appropriate course of action.

All BAEDT members undergo rigorous training and examinations to ensure they meet the highest standards of equine dental care. With dental mirrors, high-quality head lights, and dental picks and probes, our members can carry out detailed examinations. When issues are identified that require further investigation or referral, members hold strong working relationships with equine veterinary surgeons and dental referral specialists, ensuring your horse has access to the level of care they need.

We’re proud to have 21 veterinary surgeons among our membership who have completed the BEVA/BVDA examination, further expanding their knowledge, expertise and are dedicated to providing the highest standards of equine dental care.

Ultimately, whether a horse requires sedation should be a case-by-case decision, based on their individual temperament, comfort, and the dental work required. With BAEDT members, owners can feel confident they are in skilled, compassionate, and highly trained hands.

16/06/2025

🌍 Help Advance Genetic Research on Melanoma in Grey Connemara Ponies! 🐴

Melanoma is a significant issue in grey Connemara ponies, especially when it develops in young horses. Research is underway to better understand the link between early-onset aggressive melanoma (before age 6) and genetic mutations affecting coat color.

🔬 Why This Matters:

Recent genetic studies have identified variations in the STX17 gene that influence greying in horses, and early findings suggest that certain genetic combinations may increase the risk of melanoma. By gathering more data, researchers aim to develop genetic testing tools that preserve the grey coat color while reducing melanoma risk.

📢 How You Can Help:

The Finno Laboratory at UC Davis is seeking hair samples from:

- Grey Connemara ponies diagnosed with melanoma before age 6.
- Grey Connemara ponies over age 15 and melanoma-free.

If you own a pony that meets these criteria, please consider contributing to this important research!

📩 Contact:
🌍 International samples: Oceane Soussiel ([email protected])

Every sample brings us closer to understanding and tackling early-onset aggressive melanoma in grey Connemara ponies.

Thank you for your support! 💙

08/06/2025

PLEASE NOTE- We are away on holiday from monday 9th-13th june (for someones birthday). Work phone will not be coming with us! We will reply to everyone once we return.

30/05/2025

Tomorrow Lee and I are doing the Llangollen round, 35 miles up and down the hills around Llangollen. The aim is to raise money for cancer research UK so please sponsor us if you can.
https://thellangollenround.enthuse.com/pf/bev-maier?fbclid=IwY2xjawKmh-RleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHqd_Nnz_BEzGLCWDf5undgtt3UWfu9Tq0oAQAl-XFiJ0GDKE_uFdUOrJ64KJ_aem_7LRmZ1qiA7Z38XwUpLDuqA

I'm running (walking the uphill bits!) the 35 mile Llangollen Round in aid of Cancer Research UK. We have 15 hours to complete it. We have been training for around 6 weeks now, so what could possibly

25/05/2025

That time of year again

07/05/2025

Gotta love ex racers 🥰

10/04/2025

Someone's keen for their go!!

01/04/2025

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✨ Exciting news! ✨

Are you tired of your horse’s teeth ruining your selfies? We’ve got you covered! We are excited to announce we are launching a brand-new Equine Whitening Toothpaste to revolutionise your horse’s smile 🦷✨

✅ Removes stubborn grass stains
✅ Leaves breath minty fresh (goodbye, carrot breath!)
✅ Approved by… well, no one… but your horse will love it!

Don’t let your horse be the only one at the yard without a Hollywood smile!

Available from your EDT… today only… 😉

31/03/2025

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The clocks have changed, the days are getting longer, and the rugs are finally coming off …. horse owners, you’ve made it!

As you get ready for the brighter days ahead, now is the perfect time to make sure your horse’s dental care is up to date.

To find a qualified BAEDT member, visit www.baedt.com.

28/03/2025

26/03/2025

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Are you preparing to introduce your young horse to work this spring? It’s really important before you start your young horse to ensure their mouth comfort.

🦷 Before the age of 5 years horses undergo significant dental changes including:

- the shedding of 24 deciduous (baby) teeth
- the eruption of 24 permanent molars, 12 incisors, possibly four canines and possibly wolf teeth.
This period generally coincides with the introduction of the bit and bridle and then ridden work.

🗓️ Regular check-ups every six months for young horses are extremely important, providing an opportunity to detect and address issues early, also paving the way to allow the horse to perform at their maximum potential.

🔍 Common dental problems in young horses include:

Sharp Enamel Points

As horses teeth erupt and come into wear, they are gradually worn down from chewing. This natural process creates sharp enamel points that may cause painful ulcers on the cheeks and tongue. These sharp points develop on the outside of the upper cheek teeth and the inside of the lower cheek teeth. When a horse has a bit in and a bridle on, the tack can press the soft tissue against these sharp points, increasing the risk of painful soft tissue damage. Thorough rasping of the teeth removes these sharp edges and helps maintain balanced dental arcades, reducing the likelihood of future malocclusions. Because horses have hypsodont teeth, meaning their teeth continuously erupt, sharp points will keep forming over time. Regular dental treatments will give your young horse the best possible experience of a comfortable mouth as they start their career.

Problematic Wolf Teeth

Wolf teeth are small, vestigial teeth that typically erupt between 6 and 18 months of age. Wolf teeth can be present in both male and female equines. They are most commonly found on the upper jaw and rarely on the lower jaw. While the impact of wolf teeth on performance is widely debated, it’s traditionally common practice to remove them in young horses as they serve no useful purpose. Lower wolf teeth almost always certainly need to be removed and upper wolf teeth are usually assessed on a case-by-case basis depending on their location.

Retained Deciduous Teeth (Caps)

Retained deciduous teeth are baby teeth that are present beyond their normal shedding time, which can affect the proper eruption of adult teeth. Mobile caps or those with a clear junction between the baby and adult tooth should be extracted to prevent issues like food trapping, gum inflammation (gingivitis), or more severe problems such as periodontal disease, or even apical infections. Retained teeth may also cause dental displacements, which may lead to diastemata with periodontal disease, and soft tissue trauma if they are out of line and pressing against the cheek or tongue. However careful assessment of deciduous teeth is really important as premature removal can damage underlying adult teeth.

By prioritising early dental care, you’re not only ensuring your young horse’s comfort and willingness to accept the bit but also reducing the risk of dental disease in later life. It’s a really important component of your horses overall life long wellbeing and every horse should have regular dental treatments.