03/09/2026
There’s a lot going on in a young horse’s mouth.
Before the age of five, horses undergo significant dental changes as their deciduous (baby) teeth are shed and their permanent teeth erupt.
This period often coincides with introducing a bit and bridle and beginning ridden work, making regular dental examinations particularly important.
Some of the common dental findings we may see in young horses include:
🔹 Sharp enamel points: these can cause trauma to the cheeks and tongue and may become particularly relevant once a horse begins wearing a bridle and bit.
🔹 Wolf teeth: small vestigial teeth which usually erupt when horses are young. Their position and potential significance should be assessed individually, particularly before ridden work begins.
🔹 Retained deciduous teeth (caps): baby teeth that haven’t shed normally can contribute to food trapping, inflammation, displacement of the permanent teeth and periodontal problems. Careful assessment is important, as premature removal can also damage the developing permanent tooth.
Regular dental examinations throughout these rapidly changing years allow developing problems to be identified and appropriately managed early, helping to maintain a comfortable, healthy mouth as your young horse starts their career. 🐴🦷
To learn more how dentistry can affect a horses performance watch our YouTube video 🦷👉🏼 https://youtu.be/8V6r4gaw9lU?si=5LNJWLAJObCydO73
