Q: My elderly horse has
begun to loose his teeth. Is this a common problem or do you think I should
consult an equine dental technician or vet? He hasn't lost any condition and seems bright enough in himself.
A: You do not say exactly how old your horse is or how many
teeth he has lost, but, presuming he is in his late twenties, the problem is
fairly common. I would, however, recommend that you ask an equine dental
technician (EDT) or vet to check the condition of your horse’s mouth.
In an elderly horse, there are a variety of factors that can lead to tooth loss.
As the horse ages, its teeth can wear so that it is left with just the root – this is known as being ‘cupped out’, and can result in the tooth root falling out.
A more common cause of tooth loss is that as the teeth age and wear, they become narrower, leaving pocket areas between them where food can become trapped. This can lead to gum disease and periodontal disease (affecting the surrounding tissues and structures), weakening the apparatus that helps to hold the tooth in place.
Protuberant (bulging) teeth can also damage and weaken the opposing teeth by applying excessive pressure, which may be a contributing factor in tooth loss. Your EDT or vet should be able to help - for example, they can ensure any protuberant teeth are reduced in size, to avoid problems.
However, perhaps the most important issue for your horse is that the tooth opposite the gap left by the lost tooth will continue to erupt (grow), as there is nothing for it to wear against. This can restrict the movement of your horse’s mouth, making it increasingly difficult for him to eat. Again, your EDT should be able to prevent this from causing problems, by monitoring the rate of growth and re-sizing where necessary. It is good that your horse has not lost any condition - however, do not judge the state of his mouth by this alone, as horses are very determined eaters and can endure a certain amount of pain when it comes to food. The loss of more teeth may lead to future eating problems, but there are feeds designed for easy consumption by the older horse.