05/05/2024
Lately I've seen a lot of:
-Horses reluctant to take the contact, or stay in the contact.
-Horses opening and closing their mouths when riding.
-Horses biting the bit.
-Horses reluctant when putting the bit in the mouth.
And in a severe case, some blood when riding.
Yes, the above can be due to many factors. Today I'm just touching on wolf teeth and canines, especially in younger horses.
Some wolf teeth may be displaced and may sit below the gum line, often lying at an angle. These wolf teeth are called BLIND WOLF TEETH. It would create great discomfort as this is where the bit sits. These are identified by examination on the area of the gum in front of the cheek teeth. Removal of the blind tooth requires inscison of the gun prior to extraction.
Wolf teeth usually erupt in the mouth between 5-12 months of age.
I've seen a handful of rare cases where horses have canines that do not cut through the gum and stay below the gum. This can also cause discomfort as the tooth creates pressure from underneath and although the bit shouldn't make contact with this area (it will be too forward) ,when inserting the bit in the mouth, or removing it, it can run over that area and cause sensitivity. After proper examination(even x-rays) a small relieve inscison could be made to relieve pressure.
Canines erupt between the age of 4-5years and during that time sensitivity can be present due to the canines cutting through the gums. During this time I've advised my clients to apply baby teething gel on the area 10-15min prior riding and most of the feedback was positive.
Dentistry is a BASIC CARE and should not be neglected. We are in direct contact with our horses mouths, make sure the communication is pain free and comfortable.
Horses that don't get ridden or bitted need the same DENTAL CARE !
