If you’ve ever taken a moment to appreciate your horse’s heartfelt smile, you’ve probably noticed something else. Horses have HUGE teeth! It’s no wonder they require a bit more oral attention than other pets, they have some unique features even humans don’t possess. Horses’ teeth are actually designed to keep growing, which is an adaptation to their eating habits. Along with their ever-growing teeth, they grind and mash their food rather than traditionally chew it. This is why it’s important to float your horse’s teeth.
What Is Floating?
The process of floating a horse’s teeth is pretty simple. It involves using a variety of tools to file down a horse’s teeth. Since a horse’s upper jaw is naturally wider than it’s lower jaw, their teeth wear unevenly over time. This creates sharp edges, ridges, and hooks within the mouth, leading to issues with eating and digestion. Floating allows for dentists to restore their teeth in just a few minutes (for most cases), by filing away all those imperfections. This process should be painless, as teeth have no nerve endings. So, how do you know when it’s time to float? Here are some ways to tell!
Bad Breath
When you hesitate to kiss your horse, you know it’s bad. Foul breath can be a sign of tooth decay or periodontal disease, which can both be treated with floating. Sharp teeth can cause tears in the gums, which can lead to infection. If your horse’s breath is too much to handle, it’s probably time for a dentist’s visit.
Eating Slowly
When horses are experiencing discomfort in their mouths, they may start eating slower and trying to use less teeth. Slower eating can lead to a backup of saliva in their mouths, cause some drooling (or foaming) while they eat. Some horses drool more than others, but if you notice a newly formed habit of slower eating and more drool, it’s time for a check up.
Bit Discomfort
Teeth issues are sure to cause some discomfort when wearing a bit, and you’ll probably notice it pretty quickly. He might throw his head, show signs of aggression or agitation, or tilt his head while riding or eating. Putting a bit on your horse at this time is only adding fuel to the fire. If you notice discomfort centered around head gear, check your horse’s chompers for a likely cause!
Weight Loss
Painful eating can lead to a reduction in your horse’s daily consumption. If it hurts to eat, your horse is going to associate that pain with eating. The less your horse eats, the more pain he is probably in. This can lead to weight loss if left untreated for long enough. When there’s no other explanation for your horse’s weight loss, you may want to check its teeth.
Soaking Food In Water
Horses are smart creatures, and they’ll find a way to eat even when it hurts. Water can soften food, making it easier to digest with less effort from your horse’s mouth. This is a great technique to still get their nutritional needs met while in pain. If you catch your horse making his own soup, he’s not doing it to appease his advanced palate. It’s safe to make a floating appointment.
Favoring One Side Of The Mouth
Depending on the way your horse’s teeth lie, there may be one side that gets more sharp edges and hooks than the other. If this is the case, you might notice your horse favors chewing his food on one side of the mouth. He may shift to the other side occasionally, but not nearly as much as he should. This is a good sign that there’s more pain on the vacant side of his mouth.
Horses have a high tolerance for pain, and they don’t easily show when they’re suffering. Every horse is different, and their teeth and chewing patterns will differ even more. Floating should be incorporated into your horse’s routine as often as necessary. Paying attention to these subtle signs and acting when necessary will keep the smile you love so much on your horse’s face for years to come!