1. Can you please tell us about your background in equine dentistry?
After spending 10 years riding as a jump jockey and having my career constantly slowed down due to injury, I spoke to a career’s advisor at JETS (jockeys’ education and training scheme) and we landed on dentistry.
That must have been 4 years now. From the moment I started I was hooked and got a kick out of making a big difference to a horse.
Whether it’s a million-pound thoroughbred or someone’s old pony in a field. I am a Full member of the WWAED (worldwide wide association of equine dentists). A Defra approved and recognised association in the UK.
2.What inspired you to become an equine dentist?
I would love to have a great story but it was just a second career progression that I had narrowed it down to and absolutely loved.
Truthfully when I was riding, I had little knowledge on equine teeth or dentistry and was not fully aware of how much it actually effects a horse’s performance.
3.Can you explain to our readers what equine dentistry entails and why it’s important for horses?
Unlike humans, horses’ teeth continually erupt. Young horses have 24 milk teeth/caps. 12 incisors and 12 molars.
They shed these up to the age of 4.5 years old. Mature male horses have between 40-42 teeth with female counterparts having 36-40.
To the naked eye we can only see roughly an inch of clinical crown (the part of tooth outside the gumline) there is a further 5 inches of reserve crown (below the gumline).
These erupt about 1/8 of an inch every year and create sharp points or other malocclusions. To maximise mastication and comfort for the horse these need to be reduced.
4.What are some common dental issues that horses face?
Common issues are: diastemas (gap between 2 teeth) usually food packs in here causing periodontal damage and loosening the tooth structure.
Overgrowths: these come in all shapes and sizes and effect how your horse breaks down and chews their feed.
Retained caps: these can cause food to pack and stop the mature tooth from erupting.
Sharp edges: these will cause ulceration to the horses’ cheeks and make it painful for him to chew or have a nose band tightened.
Wolf teeth: these sit just in front of the first premolars and should always be removed before biting as they cause discomfort and usually follow with behaviour problems.
5.Are there any specific signs or symptoms that horse owners should watch out for that may indicate dental problems?
Quidding: horses ball up forage and it falls out onto the floor.
Bad odour: this will likely be an infection.
Discomfort/angry when eating due to pain of sharp edges
Head shaking when been ridden
But, and a big but. Horses have learned to hide problems over the years. So, a horse could have all the problems above and not show a single sign.
This is the reason every horse should be done at the very least yearly.
6.Can you discuss the importance of proper dental care for horses’ overall health and performance?
Proper and correct dental care is vital for all equines. For your older horse to keep condition on, having a well-balanced and looked after teeth can make all the difference.
For competition horses that need all the nutrients possible to achieve their best performance. To be comfortable and balanced so they think about the job at hand and not the hole in the mouth or the broken tooth causing them pain
7.What are some misconceptions about equine dentistry that you often encounter, and how would you address them?
I’ve 2 that I deal with regular. The old pony doesn’t need doing sure he has no teeth… Well, I could almost guarantee that that pony might get an extra few years on this planet if he has a dental exam and is well maintained in his later years.
And the other is…. power tools are too dangerous. In my opinion they are the way forward. I don’t believe a person can do as good of a job reducing big malocclusions with hand files.
8.Are there any special considerations or challenges when it comes to dental care for foals, senior horses, or performance horses?
I believe you should start young horses at the age of 2. They should be done every 6 months until the age of 5 regardless of whether it be a donkey or racehorse.
If it is just a happy hack then with a perfect mouth they can to yearly. All performance horses should be done every 6 months in my opinion.
…and senior horses should be done every 6 months.
9.What advice do you have for horse owners to help maintain their horse’s dental health between dental check-ups?
Slow down on salt licks and treats filled with molasses.
Just like us sugar is the devil to teeth.
10.Can you share a memorable or rewarding experience you’ve had as an equine dentist?
I get many rewarding days. There is nothing more rewarding than a horse that can’t eat or won’t eat and we get a message from the owner after our visit that they are eating up.
Or if someone is having trouble riding and it is fixed after our visit.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to JD Equine Dentistry for sharing his invaluable expertise with us.
Your passion for equine dental care shines through, and we’re immensely grateful for the insightful conversation.
Here’s to brighter smiles and healthier horses everywhere! 🐴✨