Often a horse with an area of discomfort will feel just like you do with a canker sore. He may not take a bit easily, may be hard to turn in one direction, may chew only on one side, or may lose weight because it hurts to eat. To gain the most nutrition out of what they eat, a horse's teeth must work efficiently to grind and crush the food. Any irregularities of wear, abnormal eruptions, or periodontal disease can affect how efficiently horses digest what they eat. While good body condition does not automatically equal good teeth, good teeth will mean a more efficient horse.
Horse feed is very rich.
Dr. Baker emphasizes a thorough oral examination, palpation of the mouth documentation of any dental abnormalities, such as irregular wear or abnormal eruptions. Teeth should be examined as part of a horse's routine health care. Keeping your horse's teeth in tip-top shape is a very important part of routine care. Routine dental care will prevent problems that, left unchecked, may not be correctable. To find out more about dental care and your horse, contact your local equine veterinarian.