The first permanent incisors will come in at 2 years as will the second premolars. The third molars also come between 3 - 4 years. In male horses, the canines will appear in the bars of their mouth at 4-5 years of age. Some mares may develop rudimentary canines as well. So depending on the presence of canines and wolf teeth, the adult horse will have 36-42 permanent teeth.
Dental problems can affect any horse, regardless of age.
Signs to watch for include head tossing, bit chewing, tongue lolling, drooling, dropping feed, unfinished meals, foul mouth odor, weight loss, and refusal to accept bit pressure. Whenever these signs occur, your horse s mouth should be examined. Sometimes, as permanent teeth erupt, the deciduous teeth remain in place. If this occurs with the incisors, they can be removed during a dental examination. Retained premolars become caps on the biting surface of the permanent premolars.