Do horses need their teeth brushed? How do you properly conduct dental care? Are there specific steps to do this? These can be a few of the random yet important questions equine owners have, especially for beginners.
Horses need a lot of special care, from having access to plenty of fresh food and water to having enough space to wander freely. But before we delve further into this, let’s take a glance at the difference between a horse’s teeth from that of a human’s.
- Did you know you can determine a horse’s age by its teeth? That’s because horses’ teeth grow and change constantly! They continually file their teeth down by chewing. However, if they don’t chew evenly, their teeth can grow sharp edges.
- Every year, horses should have their teeth floated, or filed down, to get rid of any painful, sharp edges or hooks that form on their teeth, especially if they have diets that are primarily made of soft foods like hay or alfalfa.
- Instead of having a hard outer layer called enamel on their teeth, horses’ teeth are covered in a material called cementum that is softer and more porous than enamel. Cementum is easily stained, which is why horses usually have yellow or brown teeth (1).
FACT
Horses need dental care and health just like people do. Horse teeth, on the other hand, require special attention because they continue to grow. While grazing naturally wears down teeth, it may also leave them uneven, which could lead to problems that, if left untreated by a veterinarian experienced in dental care, could worsen and become serious.
Below are some FAQs, tips, and reminders to help you out with your horse’s dental care.
Should you brush your horse’s teeth?
1
You don’t need to. But doing so can help to prevent the build-up of plaque and tartar. For horses whose diets contain sweet treats like molasses, it can also help prevent the development of cavities. As they consume grass and hay and drink fresh water, horses can naturally brush their teeth.
Additionally, because they often don’t have any gaps between their teeth, there is typically nowhere for food to get stuck. Horses’ teeth also develop continuously, so they don’t need to be cleaned as frequently as ours do.
However, if your horse has a sweet diet, molasses can occasionally lead to cavities, which can be painful. Most of the time, this isn’t a problem since water can cleanse the teeth. You just have to remember that there remains that risk of harm for them especially if your horse doesn’t have a straight bite.
In addition to preventing plaque and tartar buildup between dental visits, brushing your horse’s teeth can be a useful method to check for problems. It’s also important to note that if you display your horse, some judges may examine the horse’s teeth and give them a lower score if there is any food residue.
Additionally, because they often don’t have any gaps between their teeth, there is typically nowhere for food to get stuck. Horses’ teeth also develop continuously, so they don’t need to be cleaned as frequently as ours do.
However, if your horse has a sweet diet, molasses can occasionally lead to cavities, which can be painful. Most of the time, this isn’t a problem since water can cleanse the teeth. You just have to remember that there remains that risk of harm for them especially if your horse doesn’t have a straight bite.
In addition to preventing plaque and tartar buildup between dental visits, brushing your horse’s teeth can be a useful method to check for problems. It’s also important to note that if you display your horse, some judges may examine the horse’s teeth and give them a lower score if there is any food residue.
Should you brush your horse’s teeth?
1
You don’t need to. But doing so can help to prevent the build-up of plaque and tartar. For horses whose diets contain sweet treats like molasses, it can also help prevent the development of cavities. As they consume grass and hay and drink fresh water, horses can naturally brush their teeth.
Additionally, because they often don’t have any gaps between their teeth, there is typically nowhere for food to get stuck. Horses’ teeth also develop continuously, so they don’t need to be cleaned as frequently as ours do.
However, if your horse has a sweet diet, molasses can occasionally lead to cavities, which can be painful. Most of the time, this isn’t a problem since water can cleanse the teeth. You just have to remember that there remains that risk of harm for them especially if your horse doesn’t have a straight bite.
In addition to preventing plaque and tartar buildup between dental visits, brushing your horse’s teeth can be a useful method to check for problems. It’s also important to note that if you display your horse, some judges may examine the horse’s teeth and give them a lower score if there is any food residue.
Additionally, because they often don’t have any gaps between their teeth, there is typically nowhere for food to get stuck. Horses’ teeth also develop continuously, so they don’t need to be cleaned as frequently as ours do.
However, if your horse has a sweet diet, molasses can occasionally lead to cavities, which can be painful. Most of the time, this isn’t a problem since water can cleanse the teeth. You just have to remember that there remains that risk of harm for them especially if your horse doesn’t have a straight bite.
In addition to preventing plaque and tartar buildup between dental visits, brushing your horse’s teeth can be a useful method to check for problems. It’s also important to note that if you display your horse, some judges may examine the horse’s teeth and give them a lower score if there is any food residue.
How do you brush your horse’s teeth?
2
If you’ve never brushed your horse’s teeth before then you’ll have to get him used to a toothbrush and having it in his mouth, but with a little bit of patience and time, this can easily be done. If your horse isn’t a biter and is okay with things being in and around his mouth then it’s always best to touch his gums before you start. This will make him aware of the fact that you’re going to be doing something inside his mouth and it won’t be a shock to him.
-> Use a large, damp, toothbrush to gently brush your horse’s teeth, making sure to avoid brushing the sensitive gums. It’s often better to start with the front teeth as this is where the majority of the food debris can be found. Once you’ve done those, and if your horse lets you, you can move on to doing his back teeth but take care when doing this because your horse will be free to close his mouth whenever he wants to.
If you’re not keen on using a toothbrush to clean your horse’s teeth but still want to get rid of any bits of food then you can use a damp towel to quickly brush the front of his teeth. Doing this after a ride as part of your grooming routine will help to make it normal for your horse, in time you may even find your horse expecting it and opening his mouth for you (2).
-> Use a large, damp, toothbrush to gently brush your horse’s teeth, making sure to avoid brushing the sensitive gums. It’s often better to start with the front teeth as this is where the majority of the food debris can be found. Once you’ve done those, and if your horse lets you, you can move on to doing his back teeth but take care when doing this because your horse will be free to close his mouth whenever he wants to.
If you’re not keen on using a toothbrush to clean your horse’s teeth but still want to get rid of any bits of food then you can use a damp towel to quickly brush the front of his teeth. Doing this after a ride as part of your grooming routine will help to make it normal for your horse, in time you may even find your horse expecting it and opening his mouth for you (2).
How do you brush your horse’s teeth?
2
If you’ve never brushed your horse’s teeth before then you’ll have to get him used to a toothbrush and having it in his mouth, but with a little bit of patience and time, this can easily be done. If your horse isn’t a biter and is okay with things being in and around his mouth then it’s always best to touch his gums before you start. This will make him aware of the fact that you’re going to be doing something inside his mouth and it won’t be a shock to him.
-> Use a large, damp, toothbrush to gently brush your horse’s teeth, making sure to avoid brushing the sensitive gums. It’s often better to start with the front teeth as this is where the majority of the food debris can be found. Once you’ve done those, and if your horse lets you, you can move on to doing his back teeth but take care when doing this because your horse will be free to close his mouth whenever he wants to.
If you’re not keen on using a toothbrush to clean your horse’s teeth but still want to get rid of any bits of food then you can use a damp towel to quickly brush the front of his teeth. Doing this after a ride as part of your grooming routine will help to make it normal for your horse, in time you may even find your horse expecting it and opening his mouth for you (2).
-> Use a large, damp, toothbrush to gently brush your horse’s teeth, making sure to avoid brushing the sensitive gums. It’s often better to start with the front teeth as this is where the majority of the food debris can be found. Once you’ve done those, and if your horse lets you, you can move on to doing his back teeth but take care when doing this because your horse will be free to close his mouth whenever he wants to.
If you’re not keen on using a toothbrush to clean your horse’s teeth but still want to get rid of any bits of food then you can use a damp towel to quickly brush the front of his teeth. Doing this after a ride as part of your grooming routine will help to make it normal for your horse, in time you may even find your horse expecting it and opening his mouth for you (2).
How often should you brush your horse’s teeth?
3
There are no strict guidelines for how frequently you should brush your horse’s teeth, and the majority of equine owners never do. Per general opinion, there is no need to brush your horse’s teeth at all as long as they are healthy and you routinely have them examined.
We would advise though, that you should give your horse a brief brush every few days if his feed contains molasses. If you want to, you can always wipe away any food particles in between brushes with a cloth.
We would advise though, that you should give your horse a brief brush every few days if his feed contains molasses. If you want to, you can always wipe away any food particles in between brushes with a cloth.
How often should you brush your horse’s teeth?
3
There are no strict guidelines for how frequently you should brush your horse’s teeth, and the majority of equine owners never do. Per general opinion, there is no need to brush your horse’s teeth at all as long as they are healthy and you routinely have them examined.
We would advise though, that you should give your horse a brief brush every few days if his feed contains molasses. If you want to, you can always wipe away any food particles in between brushes with a cloth.
We would advise though, that you should give your horse a brief brush every few days if his feed contains molasses. If you want to, you can always wipe away any food particles in between brushes with a cloth.
How do you remove plaque and tartar from your horse’s teeth?
4
The same with us, it’s always preferable to prevent plaque and tartar buildup from the beginning, as horses are susceptible to the same gum irritation and bleeding problems. If your horse has a lot of plaque or tartar, consult an equine dentist or veterinarian, (more common in geldings and stallions). If there isn’t much, though, you can remove it yourself as long as you take precautionary measures.
How do you remove plaque and tartar from your horse’s teeth?
4
The same with us, it’s always preferable to prevent plaque and tartar buildup from the beginning, as horses are susceptible to the same gum irritation and bleeding problems. If your horse has a lot of plaque or tartar, consult an equine dentist or veterinarian, (more common in geldings and stallions). If there isn’t much, though, you can remove it yourself as long as you take precautionary measures.
Why are my horse’s teeth always discolored?
5
If you’ve ever looked at your horse’s teeth, as owners should, you can’t help but notice just how discolored their teeth are. This is perfectly normal and is caused by a lack of protective enamel around the teeth.
Instead of enamel, horses have cementum which is softer and more porous. As such, it absorbs the pigments from the food they eat and can stain easily. Over time, as the horse ages, its teeth will turn from white to yellow and eventually too brown. Again, no need to worry as this is perfectly normal.
If your horse’s teeth are black, then it’s probably because they’ve got too much fluoride in their diet or there are high levels of sulfur in their water. If this is the case, we advise you to speak to an equine nutritionist to make sure your horse has the right diet (3).
Instead of enamel, horses have cementum which is softer and more porous. As such, it absorbs the pigments from the food they eat and can stain easily. Over time, as the horse ages, its teeth will turn from white to yellow and eventually too brown. Again, no need to worry as this is perfectly normal.
If your horse’s teeth are black, then it’s probably because they’ve got too much fluoride in their diet or there are high levels of sulfur in their water. If this is the case, we advise you to speak to an equine nutritionist to make sure your horse has the right diet (3).
Why are my horse’s teeth always discolored?
5
If you’ve ever looked at your horse’s teeth, as owners should, you can’t help but notice just how discolored their teeth are. This is perfectly normal and is caused by a lack of protective enamel around the teeth.
Instead of enamel, horses have cementum which is softer and more porous. As such, it absorbs the pigments from the food they eat and can stain easily. Over time, as the horse ages, its teeth will turn from white to yellow and eventually too brown. Again, no need to worry as this is perfectly normal.
If your horse’s teeth are black, then it’s probably because they’ve got too much fluoride in their diet or there are high levels of sulfur in their water. If this is the case, we advise you to speak to an equine nutritionist to make sure your horse has the right diet (3).
Instead of enamel, horses have cementum which is softer and more porous. As such, it absorbs the pigments from the food they eat and can stain easily. Over time, as the horse ages, its teeth will turn from white to yellow and eventually too brown. Again, no need to worry as this is perfectly normal.
If your horse’s teeth are black, then it’s probably because they’ve got too much fluoride in their diet or there are high levels of sulfur in their water. If this is the case, we advise you to speak to an equine nutritionist to make sure your horse has the right diet (3).
How often and by who should you have your horse’s teeth examined?
6
It is generally recommended to have your horse or pony’s teeth examined every 6-12 months, either by a veterinary surgeon, or a suitably qualified equine dental technician. Members of the British Association of Equine Dental Technicians, or the WorldWide Association of Equine Dentistry are a good place to start.
Sedation may be required for the examination depending on the horse’s temperament or circumstances, and how detailed an examination is required. Examinations can begin at any age once the horse or pony is halter broken, however rasping would generally be performed for the first time from 2-4 years of age, depending on the situation. A thorough examination and rasp are always recommended before breaking, to ensure that the horse does not associate wearing a bit/bridle with any dental discomfort.
Sedation may be required for the examination depending on the horse’s temperament or circumstances, and how detailed an examination is required. Examinations can begin at any age once the horse or pony is halter broken, however rasping would generally be performed for the first time from 2-4 years of age, depending on the situation. A thorough examination and rasp are always recommended before breaking, to ensure that the horse does not associate wearing a bit/bridle with any dental discomfort.
How often and by who should you have your horse’s teeth examined?
6
It is generally recommended to have your horse or pony’s teeth examined every 6-12 months, either by a veterinary surgeon, or a suitably qualified equine dental technician. Members of the British Association of Equine Dental Technicians, or the WorldWide Association of Equine Dentistry are a good place to start.
Sedation may be required for the examination depending on the horse’s temperament or circumstances, and how detailed an examination is required. Examinations can begin at any age once the horse or pony is halter broken, however rasping would generally be performed for the first time from 2-4 years of age, depending on the situation. A thorough examination and rasp are always recommended before breaking, to ensure that the horse does not associate wearing a bit/bridle with any dental discomfort.
Sedation may be required for the examination depending on the horse’s temperament or circumstances, and how detailed an examination is required. Examinations can begin at any age once the horse or pony is halter broken, however rasping would generally be performed for the first time from 2-4 years of age, depending on the situation. A thorough examination and rasp are always recommended before breaking, to ensure that the horse does not associate wearing a bit/bridle with any dental discomfort.
What dental treatment is your horse likely to need?
7
The majority of horses will require their teeth to be rasped to remove sharp enamel points and edges on their teeth which develop over time. This will usually involve using motorized dental equipment to remove these sharp points, edges, and motorized overgrowths. The dental examination also allows the vet or dental technician to identify any other problems which may benefit from further treatment. This could include extractions, restorations, and treatment of gaps (‘diastema’) between horses’ teeth.
What dental treatment is your horse likely to need?
7
The majority of horses will require their teeth to be rasped to remove sharp enamel points and edges on their teeth which develop over time. This will usually involve using motorized dental equipment to remove these sharp points, edges, and motorized overgrowths. The dental examination also allows the vet or dental technician to identify any other problems which may benefit from further treatment. This could include extractions, restorations, and treatment of gaps (‘diastema’) between horses’ teeth.
Will your horse or pony cope without regular dental check-ups?
8
Sometimes owners will ask “well, how do they cope in the wild?” – one explanation is the difference in diet between wild and domesticated horses. We generally provide our horses and ponies with a ready supply of good quality grass or other good quality roughage – this is likely easier to eat, grind and digest than the diet wild horses and ponies are accustomed to. The fact that they do not wear any tack i.e. headcollars or bridles, which can put additional pressure on the outside of the cheeks on sharp enamel points of the cheek teeth, also lessens the significance of any dental problems.
Ultimately, if a wild horse or pony has severe dental disease and is not able to eat properly, it may be singled out by a predator and may not survive. Domesticated equines are also living much longer than wild horses and ponies, and therefore may need additional dental care in their later years (4).
Ultimately, if a wild horse or pony has severe dental disease and is not able to eat properly, it may be singled out by a predator and may not survive. Domesticated equines are also living much longer than wild horses and ponies, and therefore may need additional dental care in their later years (4).
Will your horse or pony cope without regular dental check-ups?
8
Sometimes owners will ask “well, how do they cope in the wild?” – one explanation is the difference in diet between wild and domesticated horses. We generally provide our horses and ponies with a ready supply of good quality grass or other good quality roughage – this is likely easier to eat, grind and digest than the diet wild horses and ponies are accustomed to. The fact that they do not wear any tack i.e. headcollars or bridles, which can put additional pressure on the outside of the cheeks on sharp enamel points of the cheek teeth, also lessens the significance of any dental problems.
Ultimately, if a wild horse or pony has severe dental disease and is not able to eat properly, it may be singled out by a predator and may not survive. Domesticated equines are also living much longer than wild horses and ponies, and therefore may need additional dental care in their later years (4).
Ultimately, if a wild horse or pony has severe dental disease and is not able to eat properly, it may be singled out by a predator and may not survive. Domesticated equines are also living much longer than wild horses and ponies, and therefore may need additional dental care in their later years (4).
There you go! Cleaning your horse’s teeth is something you should take into consideration for your overall routine. Properly caring for this body part is vital for its digestion and longevity. As always, we couldn’t emphasize more that proper dental care by an equine dental professional is key for all horses at every stage of their life and career.
Horses can live for many decades, so make sure to ask your local equine dental vet or professional to visit your horse and ensure they stay in tip-top shape for the long run!
Cave Creek Equine is a forefront institution in giving you the best possible care for your horses. We are here to help take care of your lovely horses with our high-caliber team using our top-of-line equipment and technology.
Horses can live for many decades, so make sure to ask your local equine dental vet or professional to visit your horse and ensure they stay in tip-top shape for the long run!
Cave Creek Equine is a forefront institution in giving you the best possible care for your horses. We are here to help take care of your lovely horses with our high-caliber team using our top-of-line equipment and technology.
We offer our equine veterinary services to horse owners in Scottsdale, Cave Creek, Carefree, Desert Hills, New River, the greater Phoenix area, and all the Westside area (including Wickenburg, Wittman, etc). Get to know more about Cave Creek Equine and our services.
We offer our equine veterinary services to horse owners in Scottsdale, Cave Creek, Carefree, Desert Hills, New River, the greater Phoenix area, and all the Westside area (including Wickenburg, Wittman, etc). Get to know more about Cave Creek Equine™ and our services.
(3) Robinson, Lucy. “Cleaning Your Horse’s Teeth: Do They Really Need Brushing?” Horsee Care.
https://www.horsefactbook.com/horse-care/brushing-horse-teeth/. Accessed 15 Aug 2022.
(4) Putnam, Jessica. “Caring for your Horse’s Teeth”. Aqueos. 11 Oct 2021,
https://www.aqueos.co.uk/blog/aqueos—caring-for-your-horses-teeth. Accessed 15 Aug 2022.
https://www.horsefactbook.com/horse-care/brushing-horse-teeth/. Accessed 15 Aug 2022.
(4) Putnam, Jessica. “Caring for your Horse’s Teeth”. Aqueos. 11 Oct 2021,
https://www.aqueos.co.uk/blog/aqueos—caring-for-your-horses-teeth. Accessed 15 Aug 2022.
