Good dental care starts with knowing what to watch for between professional visits. Owners are often the first to notice subtle changes in eating habits or behavior that signal a dental problem is developing.
Signs to Watch For
Dropping feed while chewing, tilting the head to one side, foul breath, visible swelling along the jaw, and reluctance to accept the bit can all point to a dental issue worth investigating.
What You Can Do at Home
Watching how your horse eats, checking hay for unusually long, un-chewed strands ("quidding"), and noting any changes in weight or behavior are all simple ways owners can spot dental issues between vet visits.
"Quidding" — dropping partially chewed wads of hay — is one of the most reliable early signs of a painful dental problem.
Professional Care
A veterinarian or qualified equine dentist should perform a full oral exam, often with a speculum and light, at least once a year to properly assess the back teeth that are impossible to check by hand alone.
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