Matthew Moister Equine Dental Technician

15/10/2026

13/10/2026

As the weather turns and we start preparing our horses for the colder months, it’s a good time to check when they last had a dental examination.

This can be particularly important for older horses, who may have reduced chewing efficiency, missing or worn teeth, or other age related dental changes that can make maintaining condition through winter more difficult.

Regular dental examinations can help identify problems early and ensure your horse is comfortable and able to chew as effectively as possible.

Not sure when your horse is due? Find your nearest BAEDT member at baedt.com 🦷

08/09/2026

Worth a watch!!!

04/08/2026

The people providing dental care for your horse matter.In this vi...

08/07/2026

Recently welcomed a new horse into your life?

When buying a new horse, it’s common to hear they’re “up to date with everything.” But does that include their dental care?

It’s worth asking about your horse’s dental history to help you understand their oral health and ensure they receive the ongoing care they need.

Some useful questions to ask include:

When was their last dental examination?
Who carried it out?
Were any abnormalities identified or recommendations made?
Have they ever had teeth extracted or any ongoing dental issues?
Are there any previous dental records available?
When are they due for their next routine examination?

Many horses continue to eat well, maintain weight and perform normally despite significant dental disease. As prey animals, they are remarkably stoic and often adapt to discomfort, meaning problems can go unnoticed until they become more advanced.

Arranging a routine dental examination provides a valuable baseline for your horse’s oral health, helps identify any problems that may need attention, and gives you peace of mind as you begin your journey together.

To find a BAEDT member in your area visit 👉🏼www.baedt.com 🦷

30/06/2026

A diastema (singular) or diastemata (plural) refers to an abnormal space between teeth.

Normally, horses have six cheek teeth in each dental arcade, tightly positioned to function as a single grinding unit. However, if a gap exists between these teeth then food can become trapped.

A UK study indicated that 49.9% of horses of all ages are affected. The prevalence of diastemata increases in horses over the age of 15.

Diastemata are classified into two types:

Primary Diastemata

These are developmental in nature and can occur due to improper rostral-caudal angulation, dental buds that are too far apart, or teeth that are developmentally displaced or rotated.

Secondary Diastemata

These are acquired and may result from tooth displacement, pressure from occlusal overgrowths, drifting teeth following extraction, or the natural tapering of teeth with age, leading to senile diastemata.

There are two types of diastemata based on the gap’s shape:

Open Diastema: The gap is the same width from top to bottom.

Valve Diastema: The top of the gap is narrower than the bottom, which can cause food impaction.

As food accumulates, it can irritate the gums and create an environment where bacteria thrive, leading to inflammation, infection and periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is considered one of the most painful conditions affecting the equine mouth.

Some horses may show signs such as quidding, bad breath, difficulty eating or weight loss, while others can have significant disease with very few obvious symptoms.

Treatment and long-term management vary from horse to horse. The first step is often removing impacted food and carrying out good quality dentistry, including reducing any overgrowths that may be contributing to food trapping. Dietary adjustments may also help in some cases, particularly where certain feeds are more likely to become impacted within the gap.

More advanced cases may require veterinary involvement and further treatment.

Every diastema is different, which is why regular dental examinations and an individual management plan are so important.

Horses are remarkably good at adapting to dental problems, which is why regular dental examinations are so important.

To learn more about this condition watch our YouTube video 👉🏼 “Top 3 dental abnormalities” 🔗 https://youtu.be/DlXfJpbKF5g?si=DyXW_TYHc8U5QNKZ 🦷

16/06/2026

From back in the day…. Riding 36 Caramel with 45 Cleopatra in hand

09/06/2026

I had my first ever go at public speaking on Saturday. Only a 10 minute talk on a few things I’ve learnt in 18 years of doing this job and the importance of looking after yourself physically, mentally and financially. Thanks to all for kind words afterwards - great to see so many EDTs at our annual congress