Horses eating grain or pellets have limited lateral movement of the jaw compared to horses eating forage. The decreased motion influences molar wear resulting in more problems with sharp points on the molars. Signs of dental disease Included with these notes is a sheet listing signs associated with dental disorders. The tendency of a horse to show signs of oral pain is highly variable. Horses with major abnormalities may act normally, while minor problems may cause persistent training difficulties.
Signs are usually related to soft tissue pain from contact with sharp edges or points on teeth.
Performance problems include head tilt, inflexibility, protruding tongue and nosing out to name a few. A complete oral examination is a vital part of routine dentistry as well as a part of lameness, insurance or prepurchase examination. Identification of dental, ocular, neurological or musculo-skeletal abnormalities can be detected early. Floating Historically, floating or removal of sharp enamel points was performed to facilitate mastication of food. In recent years, floating has evolved to accommodate the demands of performance.