Equi-Dent Ltd

26/08/2025

Ok, so if you have been following me you will know I have bought a new horse. Obviously teeth are a high priority for me and having been in this industry for well over two decades, many of my clients and I would always have me do a dental on a new horse asap, no matter what the history is or how long ago its most recent dental was.
I'm going to show you her teeth which were advertised as being professionally done, by a vet with sedation. I know it is a fact as I've seen the account and the dental was only 2 months ago and the clinic has a big equine department. The owner was doing due diligence by getting a dental for a horse she wanted to sell but knew I had been out of action with injury.
First photo is a random mouth for comparison that I've have done before that was overdue for dental work.
Second photo is Manuka's teeth from yesterday, only having had them done 2 months ago! This mare has been on hard feed, baleage and limited grass but I would give her a condition score of 3/10 with 5 being optimum, so she is in light condition.
My findings were 306, 406 ramps which had caused excessive wear on their oposition, cheek teeth wave with protuberant upper 7s and 10s, lower 8s. Cheek teeth occlusal surface angle deviation. ETR. A lack of true occlusion. Sharp points. Steep incisor table angle. The jaw was restricted to the left and in its rostral/ caudal movement. So in all nutshell basic function was compromised.
These are problems that I see time and time again that are not being corrected and they cause a lot of problems for the horse. I believe the industry need to do better!

25/08/2025

Ok here goes with *West Coast dental trip announcement*
I am booked to come over with the awesome vet Nathan Broerse for the week of 14th Sept.
Important points:
*We will be based in Hokitika and Greymouth areas and owners will be expected to transport their horses to a venue to enable as many appointments as I can manage.
*Due to injury I now have a year's worth of horses due but cannot yet do the same numbers in a day as I could pre injury. So in all fairness those who were booked for the canceled March trip will have priority for available appointments. Having said that if you genuinely have a horse that's struggling please let me know.
*I am booked for a test run 'big day' locally on 2nd Sept after which I will have a better indication of how many I can manage in a day and appointments will reflect this.
* I will make a separate trip covering Westport and Karamea..dates to be announced in due course and most likely another general trip if numbers dictate.

Please make contact if you would like appointments, even if you were on the March list as circumstances change. Include whether you have day/time/venue preferences or if you can be flexible. Also how many horses and I will do my best. DO NOT REPLY TO THIS. PLEASE PM OR TXT 021378436.

27/06/2025

My heart goes out to those of you and your animals that are suffering with the unprecedented rain that has fallen in the Marlborough and Tasman areas.

12/04/2025

And this is why it's worth investing in dental care provided by practitioners that understand and are able to provide biomechanical function and balance.

🧠🦷 Mechanoreceptors, Cranial Nerves & the TMJ: How Oral Health Shapes Whole-Horse Biomechanics

When it comes to equine movement, we often start at the feet — but science tells us to start at the skull.

Why? Because inside the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), cheek teeth, incisors, and periodontal ligament, there are thousands of mechanoreceptors—specialized nerve endings that detect:
👉 Pressure
👉 Tooth contact
👉 Tension
👉 Jaw movement

These sensory signals don’t just go to one nerve — they’re processed by a complex network of cranial nerves, especially:
🔹 CN V (Trigeminal) – Facial sensation, mastication
🔹 CN VII (Facial) – Expression, tension around the lips and jaw
🔹 CN IX (Glossopharyngeal) – Swallowing, oral sensitivity
🔹 CN X (Vagus) – Autonomic regulation, gut-brain connection
🔹 CN XI (Accessory) – Neck and shoulder motor control
🔹 CN XII (Hypoglossal) – Tongue movement and posture

📡 These cranial nerves form the neurological bridge between oral function and full-body coordination. They regulate:
✅ Jaw and tongue control
✅ Head–neck–shoulder movement
✅ Postural reflexes
✅ Proprioception and balance
✅ Autonomic nervous system responses

🔍 But when there’s dental malocclusion (uneven incisors, overgrown cheek teeth) or periodontal disease (inflammation of the tissues anchoring the teeth), those mechanoreceptors send altered signals to the brain. This sensory distortion can lead to:
⚠️ TMJ tension and bracing
⚠️ Head tilting, poll tightness
⚠️ Asymmetrical movement
⚠️ Inconsistent rhythm or contact
⚠️ Digestive or behavioral changes

💡 The cranial nerve system doesn’t just control the face — it influences the entire postural and emotional state of the horse.

✨ When we restore oral balance, reduce periodontal inflammation, and support the clarity of cranial nerve signaling, we’re not just helping the mouth — we’re unlocking the horse’s full-body biomechanics.

This is where true transformation happens: through a multidisciplinary approach that connects dentistry, neurology, posture, and movement into one whole-horse picture. 💡🧠🐴

📚
1. Kunz et al. (2023) – TMJ biomechanics & occlusal dynamics
2. Cordes et al. (2012) – Periodontal ligament loading in chewing
3. D**g et al. (1993) – Periodontal mechanoreceptor response
4. Shoemaker (2001) – Dental-neurological biomechanics
5. Pöschke et al. (2017) – Gene expression in equine PDL
6. Gellman (2010) – The jaw’s role in posture
7. Staszyk et al. (2006) – Collagen structure of the PDL
8. Tanaka & Koolstra (2008) – TMJ function and cranial integration
9. Szulakowski et al. (2019) – Imaging healthy cheek teeth
10. Physio-Pedia – Anatomy and role of the cranial nerves

🧩 The mouth isn’t separate from the body — it informs and regulates it.

🔗 Join us at our next Whole Horse Workshop at Treworgan Farm to explore how structure influences function: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-horse-owners-guide-to-functional-anatomy-biomechanics-and-wellbeing-tickets-1303853142849?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

08/04/2025

Unfortunately my May dental run to Nelson, Blenheim and Murchison is cancelled due to me having a broken wrist. Sorry for any convience this may cause and you can be sure I will reschedule asap.

08/04/2025

Good one Dale Jeffrey

Equine Dentistry Manual-
Volume II, by Dale Jeffrey, Published in 1986

02/04/2025

New Research Highlights Possible Link Between Dental Disease and Gastric Ulcers in Horses

Poor dental health may impact more than just a horse’s ability to chew—it could influence their entire digestive health. Researchers recently explored a possible connection between dental disease and equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS), a common and painful condition in horses.

The hypothesis? Dental issues reduce chewing efficiency, decreasing saliva production. Since saliva helps buffer stomach acid, less chewing may lead to more acidic gastric juices—contributing to ulcer formation. Horses with dental pain may also avoid long-stem forage, eliminating the protective “mat” that normally shields the stomach lining from acid splash.

In a study of 54 horses showing signs of gastric discomfort (e.g., weight loss, poor appetite, colic, girthiness), gastroscopy revealed:
• 56% had moderate-to-severe squamous ulcers
• 17% had significant glandular ulcers
• 13% had both types of ulcers
• 48% had moderate-to-severe dental abnormalities

While a direct link wasn’t confirmed, researchers emphasize that oral and gastric exams should be standard in horses with chronic digestive symptoms.

“Daily digestive buffers and regular dental care are key tools in supporting gastric health—especially in horses with dental challenges or those fed primarily processed forages,” said Catherine Whitehouse, M.S., of Kentucky Equine Research.

Takeaway: Routine dental exams are more than just maintenance—they may be essential for preventing digestive disorders that impact equine health, behavior, and performance.

28/03/2025

🙂

Following on from our last post, here’s a handy guide to average permanent eruption dates for you to save, helping you to keep track of your young horse’s dental changes!

24/03/2025

Good visual as long as you don't mind disection.

21/03/2025

Yep see it all the time. Even when owners think they have had good dental care!

25/02/2025

Quality dentistry pays for itself self!

21/02/2025

Autumn dental road trip dates. Sorry if I have confused anybody with dates. These are the official dates and I'm taking bookings now. Please PM or txt details. NOT on these posts as they are hard to keep track of.
West Coast 31st March - 4th April
Blenheim/ Nelson/ Reefton 5th May - 9th May starting with Blenheim
Ph 021378436
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