What are the signs that my horse needs dental attention?

Regardless of whether there are any signs, if your horse has not had any dental work in the last year, it will certainly need checking. However, below are some signs that may be attributable to dental problems.

• Your horse starts to change their eating habits.
• He/she may dribble feed, wash feed in the water bucket, hold the head to the side or not eat at all.
• Their breath might be unpleasant and they may have a swollen face.
• The horse may roll the hay into a ball in its’ mouth and drop it on the ground, this is called ‘quidding’.
• Lack of condition
• Poor performance
• Change in performance
• Excessive salivation or drooling
• They may chew doors or fencing
• Rearing
• Head throwing while being ridden
• Stiffness on one rein
• Head tilting while eating or riding
• Choking
• Failure to perform with most types of equipment
• Abnormal carriage of the tongue
• Bad general attitude
• Discharge from the eyes or nostrils
• Fistulous discharge from the jaw or face
• Weight loss (rarely a dental cause)