Q: How often should I have my horse’s teeth checked? I’ve read that older horses need their teeth checked every year, but what about a five-year-old? If he had a problem with his teeth, would it get much worse if it wasn’t noticed because he wasn’t checked often enough?
A: This is an interesting question, with no definite answer. You are also right in thinking that little problems, which could easily be corrected if detected early enough, will escalate over time if left, leading to much larger problems that need extensive dental treatment to correct.
However, the frequency with which your horse needs his teeth checked will depend on him as an individual. For example, management can effect how much a horse requires dental attention. A horse at grass 24 hours a day, all year round, will spend more hours eating than a stabled horse, so his teeth will naturally wear down more and he may only require annual dental checks. The position of your horse’s teeth may also be a factor. Evenly balanced teeth will maintain themselves much better than if the cheek teeth are slightly misaligned, allowing certain parts to form sharp edges due to a lack of wear. Other factors, such as age, will also have an influence.
I would therefore recommend that you ask a qualified equine dental technician to assess your horse and advise you on how often he requires dental attention. I would guess that at his age, he would require checkups every six months to maintain a pain-free mouth. This routine should ensure that his mouth and teeth are kept in good condition, so that he can grind his food efficiently and in the correct manner, which, in turn, will help to keep his mouth healthy.