page_title: Equine malocclusion
section_title: Caudal hooks
hierarchical_section_title: Equine malocclusion / Equine dental malocclusions in the molars / Caudal hooks
context_page_description: An equine malocclusion is a misalignment between the upper and lower jaws of a horse or other equine. It results in a faulty bite with the upper and lower teeth failing to meet correctly. Malocclusions can cause pain to the horse and may also lead to weight loss and other eating problems related to poor chewing or loss of appetite. In addition, discomfort can lead to poor behavior when the animal is ridden or driven, particularly if a bit is used in the horse's mouth.
context_section_description: Caudal hooks are defined as when the dominant lower or upper last molar overhang the opposing molar.  They can be hereditary and may result because a horse is born either parrot-mouthed or monkey-mouthed.  They can also be caused secondary to another molar malocclusion that forces the jaw to disalign.  This malocclusion results in problems for the horse when eating.  It prevents the horse from chewing side to side freely which causes incorrect and excessive tooth wear.  The soft tissues of the mouth can be damaged because the hooks are sharp and can cut them.  Caudal hooks will also cause discomfort to the horse during riding.  To fix caudal hooks, the dominant molar must be reduced, preventing extreme wear to the opposing molar, and rounded so that the soft tissue is not traumatized.
caption: A caudal hook is characterized by the posterior molar developing a growth which overhangs and “hooks” around the adjacent tooth. This diagram depicts a caudal hook on the lower last molar, however the upper last molar can also develop a caudal hook.