Feedings are more apt to be scheduled, not continuous, and to include processed grains and hays. Softer feeds require less chewing. This may allow the horse's teeth to become excessively long or to wear unevenly. Adult horse's teeth erupt throughout their life and are worn off by chewing. Because the horse's lower jaw is narrower that its upper jaw and the horse grinds its feed with a sideways motion, sharp points tend to form along the edges.
Points form on the cheek side of the upper teeth and the tongue side of the lower teeth.
These points should be rasped to prevent them from cutting the cheeks and tongue. Floating is especially important in horses who have lost a tooth, or whose teeth are in poor apposition and do not fit together well. Normal, contact with the opposing tooth keeps biting surfaces equal. When cheek teeth are out of alignment, hooks can form. If left unchecked, these hooks can become long enough to penetrate the hard or soft palate.