No teeth, No Horse

Good dental care is essential for a horse's well being. Horses with poor teeth soon suffer from a host of other problems, as is sadly illustrated by two cases recently dealt with by the ILPH.

Jeffrey, a former Pony Club event pony, was diagnosed as suffering from malnutrition, brought on by his being unable to chew food because of his poor teeth.

Gambit wasn't so lucky: he had to be put down when it was discovered that he had been starving to death, unable to eat, over a period of some months.

Checklist to Ensure Good Tooth Care:

Get a vet or qualified equine dentist, who has been referred by a vet, to check your horse's teeth at least once a year.

With horses aged 16 plus increase the checks to twice a year.

Once a tooth is lost the corresponding tooth on the opposite jaw must be rasped regularly.

Horses teeth wear down with age. Wear must be kept even with regular rasping to ensure efficient feeding.

Carry out regular checks for tartar, abscesses and gum disease.

A healthy diet for your horse will help keep his teeth strong.